The 2026 NFL season opens for the Steelers and the Falcons with each franchise optimistic that new leadership will bring improved results. After finishing last season with a record of 8-9 and missing the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season, Atlanta replaced Raheem Morris with former Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski. Mike Tomlin stepped down in the Steel City after guiding Pittsburgh to the AFC North title and a 10-7 record in the regular season. A first-round loss to the Texans, however, left a bad taste for Tomlin and the Steelers. Pittsburgh-area native Mike McCarthy is now running the show in Pittsburgh.
The biggest storyline for the Falcons as we approach kickoff is Atlanta’s quarterback situation. With Michael Penix Jr. still working back from knee surgery, Tua Tagovailoa is expected to get the Week 1 start. He’ll operate behind an offense built around superstar running back Bijan Robinson, who is coming off a dominant 2025 season in which he led the NFC in rushing with 1,478 yards while adding 820 receiving yards.
For Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers is back, and McCarthy is hoping the future Hall of Fame quarterback can deliver one final postseason run. With Michael Pittman Jr. acquired in the offseason, the offense now boasts one of the league’s most intriguing receiving groups with Pittman and DK Metcalf.
Bottom Line: Bijan Robinson must be productive and Tua must protect the football for the Falcons to win. Pittsburgh takes the field with real intrigue behind Rodgers, McCarthy, and an overhauled roster. But with Rodgers making his final opening day start for Pittsburgh and the Steelers boasting the more complete roster, the home team holds at least an edge heading into Sunday’s opener.
These teams last met on September 8, 2024, with the Steelers winning on the road, 18-10.
Let’s dive into the numbers and see if we can’t find an additional sweat or two.
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Game details and how to watch Falcons vs. Steelers
- Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Time: 1PM ET
- Site: Acrisure Stadium
- City: Pittsburgh, PA
- TV/Streaming: FOX
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Latest Game Odds for Falcons vs. Steelers
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Atlanta Falcons (+154), Pittsburgh Steelers (-185)
- Spread: Steelers -3.5
- Total: 42.5
Money on Pittsburgh has moved the line from its opening number of 3.0 while the Total is holding steady.
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Rotoworld Bet Best Bets
Expert picks & predictions for Falcons vs. Steelers
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, betting trends, and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the Falcons and the Steelers:
- Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
- Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Steelers ATS.
- Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Total UNDER 42.5.
Falcons vs. Steelers betting trends and stats
- The Steelers were 9-9 against the spread this season
- The Falcons were 8-8-1 against the spread last season
- Pittsburgh was 9-8-1 to the OVER last season
- Atlanta was 8-8-1 to the OVER last season
Quarterback matchup for Falcons vs. Steelers
- Atlanta: Tua Tagovailoa
2025 Statistics: 14GP, 2660 Passing Yards, 20 TDs, 15 INTs, 88.5 Passer Rating - Pittsburgh: Aaron Rodgers
2025 Statistics: 16GP, 3,322 Passing Yards, 24 TDs, 7 INTs, 94.8 Passer Rating
Top Playmakers: Falcons vs. Steelers
Falcons
- Bijan Robinson
2025 Statistics: 17GP, 287 carries for 1478 Yds, 79 Receptions on 103 Targets for 820 Yds, 11 TDs - Kyle Pitts Sr.
2025 Statistics: 17GP, 88 Receptions on 118 Targets for 928 Yds, 5 TDs
Steelers
- DK Metcalf
2025 Statistics: 15GP, 59 Receptions on 99 Targets for 850 Yds, 6 TDs - Jaylen Warren
2025 Statistics: 16GP, 211 carries for 958 Yds, 6 TDs
Falcons vs. Steelers Injury Update
Falcons
- QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has been declared OUT of Sunday’s game
- LB James Pearce Jr. (suspended) has been declared OUT of Sunday’s game
- NB Billy Bowman Jr. (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday’s game
Steelers
- WR Ben Skowronek (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- WR DK Metcalf (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- WR Michael Pittman Jr. (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- S DeShon Elliott (undisclosed) has been placed on IR with a designation to return
- FS Jaquon Brisker (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- NB Jalen Ramsey (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- CB Brandon Echols (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
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