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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions have a tradition that dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers GameDay Preview, an all-inclusive guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and Pittsburgh’s opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle with a weekly game story, score prediction, game day information, broadcast information, and complete breakdown of each team, complete with stats. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff!
STEELERS BEGIN NEW ERA UNDER MIKE MCCARTHY
A fresh approach was truly needed for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mike Tomlin resigned as head coach of the Steelers after the end of the 2025 season. It was the only solution to dig the once proud franchise out of the hole they were in.
Yes, Tomlin won a Super Bowl, and never once in 19 years did he have a losing season. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the Steelers hadn’t won a playoff game in a decade, and every time they did make the playoffs, they were blown away… case and point, the 30-6 beating the Houston Texans gave them in Tomlin’s final game.
It is the longest drought without a playoff win since before the Immaculate Reception.
To the surprise of many, Mike McCarthy was hired over a bunch of younger candidates.
Considering the blueprint of success being the hiring of a young, up and coming defensive coordinator, as they did with Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Tomlin, many in Steeler Nation were none too pleased.
That soon changed, as McCarthy, a Pittsburgh born kid from Greenfield, won over the fans with his introductory press conference to the team.
“This is where I’m from. This is the cloth that I was cut from,” said McCarthy. “When you grow up in Western Pa., we’re all sick in the head because we’re all brainwashed as kids. It’s the greatest place on Earth.”
His hometown of Greenfield had a big influence on him growing up.
“Growing up in Greenfield prepares you to be ready to go into battle,” McCarthy said. “You spend time at Magee Field. You definitely know which houses to avoid. You know where the hot spots are. I think city living as a whole prepares you for that. You know there’s boundaries and challenges growing up in that inner city. I think it’s definitely a part of the preparation for life.”
Now we are just a few days away from the Steelers opening the 2026 season at home vs the Atlanta Falcons.
“The honeymoon is kind of over now,” McCarthy said.
When the ball is kicked off at 1:00 PM this Sunday, September 13th at Acrisure Stadium, the only thing the franchise and their fans will be focused on, is getting back to Steelers Football, and that means winning.
“I think everybody’s excited to get out there and compete and go get this first win,” McCarthy said.
It will be a reunion between McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who enters his 22nd and final season as a pro.
“I’m excited about it,” said Rodgers. “It’s been a long time since we played together, and we got some new guys. It’ll be fun to be out there with some live reps.”
The team is eager to get started, and to finally face real competition in a real game, after a long training camp and preseason.
“I think we’re just tired of going against each other,” DK Metcalf said. “I think we’re going against one of the best defenses in the league every day, so whoever we go against, they’re going to have to stop us with whatever person that we put out there on the field.”
When the Pittsburgh offense takes the field this Sunday, Rodgers will be under center.
It will be fun to see the chains and shackles taken off the offensive game plan for the first time since before Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow.
At receiver, Metcalf is the overall #1 at the position. He’ll be joined by new addition Michael Pittman, Roman Wilson, 2nd round draft choice Germie Bernard, 4th round pick Kaden Wetjen and Ben Skowronek.
“To be able to play with the best thrower of the football ever, regardless if it’s his first year or last year, is a cool opportunity,” said Skowronek. “I’m excited for this journey together.”
Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Robert Tonyan are at tight end.
Jaylen Warren is the starter at running back, but he’ll share time with Rico Dowdle, who is coming off a 1,000 yard season with Carolina. Riley Nowakowski will be at full back, but will be moved around like Connor Heyward was before. Eli Heidenreich, the local kid from Mount Lebanon and Navy, is a hybrid between RB and WR.
Brian Angelichio is the new offensive coordinator, but McCarthy will be the guy calling the plays.
Expect a different offense than what you’ve been holding your head under water watching the past few years. Rodgers will see more time under center instead of shotgun, and there will be plenty of pre-snap movement, and play action plays. The middle of the field will no longer be a no-fly zone for the offense. Attacking downfield now and then will return as well.
In other words, this should be a fun offense to watch, as long as the offensive line comes together, and keeps Rodgers from getting injured.
Zach Frazier will be at center, with Mason McCormick at left guard, and Spencer Anderson at right guard. Troy Fautanu moves to left tackle, while Dylan Cook gets the nod at right tackle. It’s only a matter of time before 1st round pick Max Iheanachor takes the job over from Cook.
The defense will get a fresh look, too, as Patrick Graham is the defensive coordinator. Gone are the days where you knew exactly where T.J. Watt is going to be, and when and where to attack a confused Steelers defense downfield.
“He’s throwing a lot of different things out there, but it’s all stuff that makes sense and all stuff that he’s focused, homing in on the details and making sure everybody understand that this is why we doing it,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen about Graham. “Just making sure every guy understands their job and what the other guy on doing their job. And just making sure we all understand what’s what everybody on the defense is doing.
Keeping guys fresh will also be a focal point.
“We want to create flexibility in how those guys play,” McCarthy said. “I’m not interested in seeing T.J. play 60-plus snaps a game. That’s not the best for him and that’s not the best for us. As a defense, it’s important for us to keep those guys fresh and make sure they’re at their best in the fourth quarter.
“All of those things factor into it. We want to play our players. Play time, how we distribute that, is a big part of our preparation process. When you get into the game, you play to win. But it’s a long year.”
Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski had Tua Tagovailoa named as their starting quarterback in the opener, but he went down with an oblique injury during Thursday’s practice. Michael Penix, Jr., who was recovering from left ACL surgery last November, hoped he’d be the team’s choice to be the real starter, but he’ll have to wait a little longer. He is physically cleared to play, but mentally he is not according to the team, which is why Tagovailoa got the nod over him for now.
Since it’s a good possibility that both will miss the game against Pittsburgh, the Falcons will have to rely on their 3rd string QB Cooper Rush to lead the team.
Drake London is the team’s best receiver, followed by Olamide Zacceaus, Jahan Dotson, Chris Blair, and Zachariah Branch. London has good size at 6’4, 215, and caught 68 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
Kyle Pitts is one of the better tight ends in the game, coming off a year with 88 receptions for 928 yards and five scores.
Bijan Robinson is one of the elite backs in the game. Robinson had 1,478 yards rushing in 2025 with seven touchdowns, adding 79 catches for 820 yards and four touchdowns. Brian Robinson, Jr. will back him up.
The Falcons ranked 15th last year in total defense, allowing 326.6 yards per game, and 19th giving up 23.6 points a game.
Honestly, there are no sure things when it comes to NFL football. Remember… “Any given Sunday.”
That said, with a new coach, new philosophy, and plenty of talent on the roster… if the Steelers are who they think they are, this better be a victory come Sunday evening, especially starting off the year at home.
There’s a lot of Rodgers hate, both nationally and locally, but I believe most of that stems from their dislike of his political and life views. Personally, I like a guy who speaks his mind, and he was dead on about the ridiculous mask mandates and forced vaccinations. Truth is, he can still sling the ball. He’s not the MVP version of himself, but given time in the pocket, with capable weapons to throw to in Metcalf, Pittman, Freiermuth, Washington, Warren, and Dowdle, (and hopefully the emergence of Bernard and Wilson) this could be a fun offense to watch.
The planet’s highest paid defense will get a boost from not being predictable anymore.
This game plan is simple for Sunday. You start by keeping Robinson under control. He is the straw that stirs their drink. You stop him, forcing the Falcons to rely on Tagovailoa (or Rush) to beat you. I’ll take that scenario any way I can get it. The more either of those two to drop back to pass, the more chances the Pittsburgh defense will get to force some strip sacks and costly interceptions.
On offense, get to cooking. This is a very beatable Falcons defense. Balance is the key, with Warren and Dowdle establishing the run game, thus opening up some space for Rodgers to spread the ball around with some well timed play action calls.
Fun fact that will make you sick: The Steelers haven’t scored more than seven points in the 1st quarter in 69 consecutive games. That is almost impossible by today’s standards, but then again, lest we not forget who was the coach for that streak.
That ends this Sunday.
Rodgers defies age with a pair of touchdown passes, while Warren and Dowdle form a powerful duo running the ball. T.J. Watt gets a sack while the Steelers defense prevents Robinson from putting up big numbers, and keeps the Falcon’s quarterbacks under heavy pressure all day. Don’t be surprised if there’s a defensive score either.
Game Prediction: Steelers 31 Falcons 13
GameDay Information
Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0) vs Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Game-time: Sunday, September 13th, at 1:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Tahoma 3 Bermudagrass
Vegas line: Steelers -4.5
Weather at kickoff: Sunny and 80. Winds out of the West at 5-10 MPH.
Broadcast Information
TV: Fox | Local: WPGH-TV (Xfinity: Channel 803 | Dish: 53 | DirecTV: 53)
- Announcers: Joe Davis (play-by-play) Greg Olsen (analyst) | Pam Oliver (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Max Starks (analyst) | Missi Matthews (field reporter)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers:
Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 0-0 (1st in AFC North)
Last game: N/A
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
- 1st Season with Steelers
Overall regular-season record: 174-112-2
Playoff record: 11-11
Team Links
Steelers Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Angelichio
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total yards per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
- Time of Possession: 0
QUARTERBACK
Aaron Rodgers | #8
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Mason Rudolph | #2
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Jaylen Warren | #30
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rico Dowdle | #13
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Riley Nowakowski (FB) | #37
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Eli Heidenreich | #29
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
D.K. Metcalf | #4
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Michael Pittman, Jr. | #11
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Roman Wilson | #14
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Germie Bernard | #17
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kaden Wetjen | #10
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Skowronek | #15
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Darnell Washington | #80
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Robert Tonyan | #85
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
KICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 0-0
Field Goals: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Troy Fautanu | #76
LG: Mason McCormick | #66
C: Zach Frazier | #54
RG: Spencer Anderson | #74
RT: Dylan Cook | #60
Steelers Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham
Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
DE: Derrick Harmon | #99
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
RILB: Payton Wilson | #41
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
ROLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
OR Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
OR Asante Samuel, Jr. | #22
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Jaquan Brisker | #3
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Rayshawn Jenkins | #20
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Jamel Dean | #35
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
NB: Jalen Ramsey | #5
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Atlanta Falcons
Overall record: 0-0 (1st in NFC South)
Last game: N/A
Head Coach: Kevan Stefanski
- 1st Season with Atlanta
- Overall regular-season record: 45-56 | 0-0 with Falcons
- Playoff Record: 1-2
Team Links
Falcons Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total Offense per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
- Time of Possession: 0
QUARTERBACK
Tua Tagovailoa* | #1
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Michael Penix, Jr.* | #9
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
3rd String: Cooper Rush | #13
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Bijan Robinson | #7
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Robinson | #15
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tyler Goodson | #25
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Nathan Carter | #38
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Drake London | #5
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Olamide Zaccheaus | #14
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jahan Dotson | #4
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Chris Blair | #19
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Zachariah Branch | #17
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Kyle Pitts, Sr. | #8
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Charlie Woerner | #89
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Austin Hooper | #81
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
KICKER
Nick Folk | #6
Extra Points: 0-0
Field Goals: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Falcons Defense
Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Brandon Dorlus | #54
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
NT: Maason Smith | #92
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
DT: Gervon Dexter, Sr. | #95
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: Samson Ebukam | #52
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
LILB: Christian Harris | #45
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RILB: Devine Deablo | #0
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
ROLB: Za’Darius Smith | #55
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Mike Hughes | #21
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Jessie Bates III | #3
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Xavier Watts | #31
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: A.J. Terrell, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
NB: Billy Bowman, Jr. | #33
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Steelers vs Falcons History
Series History: Began in 1966
Overall Record: 16-2-1
- Home: 7-0-1
- Away: 9-2
- Postseason: 0-0
Streak: Steelers won the last five games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 18-10 (Sept. 8, 2024)
Last postseason meeting: N/A
Final Injury Report (9/11/26)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: S DeShon Elliot
Out:
Doubtful:
Questionable: WR Ben Skowronek
Atlanta Falcons
IR: N/A
Out: QB Michael Penix, Jr. (knee), LB James Pearce (suspended)
Doubtful:
Questionable:
* In designated to return from IR window
Author Profile
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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