# Steelers' Thursday Night Game Rule

> Steelers can't move game to Thursday due to NFL rule.
- Title: Steelers' Thursday Night Game Rule · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Steelers can't move game to Thursday due to NFL rule. The NFL rule requires visiting teams to arrive at least 19 hours before kickoff, preventing Steelers…
- Keywords: steelers, nfl, browns, afl, thursday night football, division rivals, travel rule, sports, Steelers', Thursday, Night, Game
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/odd-nfl-rule-impacts-steelers-travel-thursday-night-football-browns
- Published: 2026-09-29T17:00:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: steelers, nfl, browns, afl, thursday night football, division rivals, travel rule, sports
## Steelers plan to move game
Mike McCarthy considered moving the Steelers' game to Thursday morning to avoid Cleveland travel but the NFL rule prohibits this change.

> We actually even had a conversation yesterday about sleeping in your own bed, you know, just because of the importance of sleep and so forth
## NFL rule requires 19 hours
The NFL rule requires visiting teams to arrive at least 19 hours before kickoff, which McCarthy failed to realize until this week.
## McCarthy's coaching history
McCarthy has an impressive 17-8 record on Thursday nights, including a 16-6 record on short weeks.
## Steelers' Thursday night record
The Steelers are 0-4 in Cleveland on Thursday night and 0-9 all-time in road Thursday night games against divisional foes.
## Cleveland's home record
Cleveland has a 6-1 record in home games against the Steelers since 2019, including Thursday night wins in 2022 and 2024.
## Game impact on AFC North
Thursday night's game will determine which team is in first place in the AFC North through three weeks as the Steelers are the only team with a divisional win.
## Key takeaway

The NFL rule requires visiting teams to arrive at least 19 hours before kickoff, preventing Steelers from moving Thursday's game to Pittsburgh.