The 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers schedule is official, and the regular season is one step closer to commencing. Now that the order of the games has been determined, it’s time to predict how the Steelers will do in each of them.
This prediction will be done under the premise that Aaron Rodgers returns to the Steelers this season. Despite being 42 years old, he gives the organization the best chance to win on paper.
2026 Steelers Schedule: Week-by-Week Results Prediction
Week 1: Home vs Atlanta Falcons
The Steelers schedule opens at home for the first time since 2023 against the San Francisco 49ers. This isn’t the same Atlanta Falcons team from the last few years, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski will push to get a big result against a former division rival. However, the experience of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers will help Pittsburgh prevail.
Steelers 24, Falcons 20
Week 2: Away at New England Patriots
Playing the Super Bowl runner-up is never an easy ask, but doing it on the road is even more difficult. Drake Maye proved last year that he is the real deal, and New England has its franchise quarterback once again. Despite a heroic attempt at a 4th quarter comeback, chalk this game up as the first loss on the Steelers schedule this year.
Patriots 27, Steelers 17
Week 3: Home vs Cincinnati Bengals
It’s the first of two early divisional matchups on the Steelers schedule, and Pittsburgh will have a lot to prove after being roughed up on the road by the Patriots. Joe Burrow will give the Steelers defense fits throughout the entire game, but the dynamic duo of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will be the deciding factor in this game for Pittsburgh.
Steelers 31, Bengals 23
Week 4: Away at Cleveland Browns (Thursday Night Football)
Death, taxes and the Steelers schedule having an away game in Cleveland on Thursday Night Football. This was always a trap game for Pittsburgh under Mike Tomlin, and it’s hard to expect anything different with a new coaching staff. This game will be the Browns’ Super Bowl, and they’ll make sure they don’t get swept by their big brother.
Browns 20, Steelers 16
Week 5: Home vs Indianapolis Colts
Pittsburgh hosts Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts again after the Steelers defense forced six turnovers against the veteran quarterback. It’s very unlikely Jones coughs up the ball that much, but the new-look defense from defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will result in some extra possessions for Rodgers and the offense.
Steelers 20, Colts 13
Week 6: Away at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Steelers get an opportunity to play in Tampa Bay for the first time since 2018, and Baker Mayfield’s expertise will put the Steelers defense to the test. This game will be close throughout due to the Buccaneers trying to get Bucky Irving going on the ground, but Pittsburgh will get in its own way and come up just short.
Buccaneers 24, Steelers 21
Week 7: Away at New Orleans Saints (Paris Game)
It’s a second international game in as many seasons on the Steelers schedule, and Pittsburgh will get revenge after its close game the previous week. The Steelers defense will give young quarterback Tyler Shough another “Welcome to the NFL” moment in his early career and force several turnovers to help Pittsburgh win comfortably.
Steelers 24, Saints 10
Week 8: Home vs Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh will return to the United States with some extra juice in the system after winning in Paris and also knowing it is one step closer to the bye week. The Browns will be bottom dwellers in the AFC by this point in the season, and the Steelers will once again show them that there are different levels of talent in the NFL.
Steelers 27, Browns 13
Week 9: Bye Week
Week 10: Away at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday Night Football)
Going on the road to the jungle in Cincinnati is always a tough matchup, and the Steelers schedule will result in some post-bye week miscues. Burrow will avenge some of the mistakes he made in the early-season matchup, and both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will find ways to get on the scoreboard in this one.
Bengals 26, Steelers 17
Week 11: Away at Philadelphia Eagles
This is the gauntlet of the Steelers schedule, and it doesn’t get any easier here. The rushing duo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley will be too much to handle for Pittsburgh’s defense, and this game will be the start of the wheels falling off this season. The winless streak on the Wawa side of the state will continue for the Steelers.
Eagles 34, Steelers 19
Week 12: Home vs Denver Broncos (Black Friday)
The Steelers should be hyped up after being punched in the mouth by the Eagles the week before, but Denver’s strong defense makes things very tough for Pittsburgh to run the ball, which causes a domino effect within the offense. Graham’s defense keeps it close, but the Steelers’ lackluster offense sinks the ship in this game.
Broncos 16, Steelers 10
Week 13: Home vs Houston Texans (Sunday Night Football)
Pittsburgh comes back home after the bye week and looks to get revenge on C.J. Stroud following last year’s playoff loss. However, the Texans have other plans as they try to win the AFC South once again. Stroud finds his stride in the second half, and Pittsburgh suffers its first three-game losing streak of the year.
Texans 27, Steelers 20
Week 14: Away at Jacksonville Jaguars (Monday Night Football)
Frustration from the fans boils over as many Steelers fans make the trip and air their frustrations toward the players. Veterans such as Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt know the results aren’t what they should be, and the players grind out a win that is reminiscent of old-school Steelers football against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars.
Steelers 19, Jaguars 13
Week 15: Home vs Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson comes to town as one of the favorites for MVP, as he shows the league last season was a fluke for him. The Ravens defense looks like the one many Steelers fans get PTSD from in the early 2000s as Baltimore cruises to a comfortable victory. Pittsburgh fans begin their push for the coaching staff to turn to Drew Allar or Will Howard for the final three games.
Ravens 27, Steelers 14
Week 16: Home vs Carolina Panthers (Day/Time TBD)
It’s unknown which day the Carolina game will take place, but it’s a refreshing game on the Steelers schedule after they get through the tough stretch. Carolina will still be fighting for the NFC South title at this point, but Rodgers silences the critics for at least another week.
Steelers 24, Panthers 16
Week 17: Away at Tennessee Titans
The Titans are well on their way to another top 10 draft pick, and the Steelers force several turnovers against Cam Ward, who will have many Titans fans calling for his head. The Steelers running backs have their best game of the season by accumulating over 175 yards between Warren and Dowdle as Pittsburgh gets back to .500.
Steelers 20, Titans 10
Week 18: Away at Baltimore Ravens (Day/Time TBD)
Baltimore can’t rest its starters in this game due to the AFC North still being undecided between the Ravens and Bengals. The Steelers defense gets to Lamar Jackson early, but he bounces back in the second half to deliver a gritty win and help send his team to the playoffs.
Ravens 23, Steelers 17
Final Record Prediction: 8-9, Miss Playoffs
This is a very difficult schedule for the Steelers, and it’s hard to see them competing for a playoff spot this year. If the Steelers find a way to prove this prediction wrong, all 53 players will have a huge say in doing so.