The Pittsburgh Steelers will reportedly get a rare Week One home game to begin the Mike McCarthy era and the 2026 season. Per the OzzyNFL account that’s already leaked many games around the league, the Steelers will begin the season hosting the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium on September, 13th at 1 PM/EST.
With the Pittsburgh Pirates away that weekend, the Steelers get to open the season in their own stadium. In the Mike Tomlin era, 2007-2025, Pittsburgh only played six home Week One contests and just one since 2015. That also came against an NFC team, blown out by the San Francisco 49ers to start the 2023 season.
The Falcons are coming off a second-straight 8-9 season. Their quarterback situation will be worth watching throughout the spring. Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a serious knee injury and is expected to compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting spot. Tagovailoa wrapped up a turbulent tenure with the Miami Dolphins, including struggling in a primetime loss to the Steelers last season.
This offseason, Atlanta hired Kevin Stefanski after a long stint with the Cleveland Browns. He’ll be familiar with Pittsburgh but need to adjust to a new coaching staff and scheme. Playoffs included, McCarthy has a career 6-6 record against the Falcons.
Atlanta is led by star running back Bijan Robinson. A do-it-all player, he rushed for nearly 1,500 yards, caught almost 80 passes, and found the end zone 11 total times (seven rushing, four receiving) last year. Wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts are the team’s top targets in the passing game.
The Falcons’ defense finished a middling 19th a year ago but have youth up front in defensive lineman James Pearce, Brandon Dorlus, and Jalon Walker. Without a first round pick in 2026’s draft, the team’s top pick was Clemson CB Avieon Terrell in the second round. He joins older brother A.J. as part of the Falcons’ secondary.
Pittsburgh and Atlanta last met in 2024 and also played in the season opener. Held in Atlanta, the Steelers came out on top 18-10. The Steelers opened against the Falcons to begin the 2010 season, an overtime contest in which RB Rashard Mendenhall scored the game-winning touchdown.
As Dave Bryan noted, the Steelers are 7-0-1 all-time at home against the Falcons.
All-time, the Steelers are 7-0-1 at home against the Falcons. Last home game versus Falcons was 2018, a 41-17 Steelers win. Two of the last three games in Pittsburgh versus Atlanta went to overtime. #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) May 14, 2026
Be sure to follow our schedule tracker for the updated list of all the reported and official games.
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