Steelers roster prediction town hall
Steelers roster prediction town hall
A group of Pittsburgh Steelers fans gets together to discuss the Black and Gold every Monday night on the Clubhouse app. With the 2026 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons just days away, we made our predictions for the Steelers’ regular-season record.
Our group believes the 2026 Steelers have strong potential. The overall roster is stronger than last season. We like head coach Mike McCarthy and believe his focus on offense and play-calling will help the team score more. The new coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, may develop some of the younger players into stars. Their new schemes may energize veterans like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt. The team’s success relies on overcoming an offensive line that has shifted around. Only center Zach Frazier is playing in the same position as last year.
Plus, the secondary will have to meld quickly since S DeShon Elliott is on injured reserve and Joey Porter Jr. just began practicing with the team.
QB Aaron Rodgers must hold off Father Time for just a few months more. And Jalen Ramsey’s versatility will be key until the others are fully productive on defense. A strong start is key to a successful season.
We’ll start with our game-by-game predictions followed by our individual predictions.
Game-by-Game Predictions
We went through each game and voted on whether it would be a win or a loss.
Game 1 – Atlanta Falcons at home
One of several unanimous votes. An important game to win. It could set the tone for the rest of the season. Atlanta’s starting QB, Tua Tagovailoa, threw 15 interceptions in 13 games with the Dolphins last season. The bolstered defensive line must contain RB Bijan Robinson and force throws that can be picked off. Ken Sterner foresees a 27-17 win.
The Town Hall voted 8-0 for a Pittsburgh victory.
Record: 1-0
Game 2 – at New England Patriots
New England won the AFC East and reached the Super Bowl in 2025, and QB Drake Maye has another year of experience. Coach Mike Vrabel has quickly molded a very strong team. But if Pittsburgh can run the ball effectively, we see a close game. Ted Webb calls it 17-14.
Town Hall voted 6-2 for Pittsburgh winning.
Record: 2-0
Game 3 – Cincinnati Bengals at home
Many say the Bengals are the strongest team in the AFC North. But we do not think they will be ready for a Steelers team that is rounding into form. It could be another shootout, but Pittsburgh’s defense is just a bit better than Cincinnati. Aaron Rodgers beats Joe Burrow head-to-head.
Town Hall voted 7-1 for Pittsburgh to win.
Record: 3-0
Game 4 – At Cleveland Browns TNF
We debated this one for a long time. In the initial vote, we had Pittsburgh losing because they were traveling on a short week for Thursday Night Football, and the Steelers are the Browns’ “Super Bowl” every year. But Miracle Myke and Mark Mosley pointed out the quarterback situation and the loss of Myles Garrett. That had several folks reconsider and change their votes.
Town Hall voted 6-2 for Pittsburgh winning.
Record: 4-0
Game 5 – Indianapolis Colts at home
We smell a blowout win coming off a long break. Mike McCarthy will have the Steelers ready to win on the road and break the Mike Tomlin close-game tradition.
Town Hall voted 8-0 with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: 5-0
Game 6 – At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pittsburgh is riding high, but it’s a long road trip to face a tough Tampa Bay team with brash QB Baker Mayfield. Steelers keep it close in a losing effort.
Town Hall voted 6-2 with Pittsburgh losing.
Record: 5-1
Game 7 – At New Orleans in Paris
Pittsburgh rebounds overseas. Technically an away game, Pittsburgh fans travel in a pack to France. Second-year QB Tyler Shough finished strong in 2025. But he did not face a defense like Pittsburgh’s. Now he faces a Pittsburgh team in an overseas environment. The offense should be able to roll up points.
Town Hall voted 8-0 with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: 6-1
Game 8 – Cleveland Browns at home
Pittsburgh looks to sweep Cleveland. May be too close for comfort coming off an international trip, but the Steelers should prevail.
The Town Hall voted 8-0 with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: 7-1
Game 9 – At Cincinnati Bengals on SNF
Pittsburgh travels to Cincinnati coming off their Week 9 bye. We debated this strongly. Half see a win and sweep of the Bengals since they will have played Atlanta the week before, and Pittsburgh should be rested and prepared. The other half see a loss, with Joe Burrow at home seeking payback for a loss earlier in the season.
Town Hall voted 4-4. Will carry best- and worst-case record from this point.
Record: Best case 8-1. Worst case 7-2.
Game 10 – At Philadelphia Eagles
The Steelers have not beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia since 1965. Not going to happen in 2026.
Town Hall voted 7-1 with Pittsburgh losing.
Record: Best case 8-2. Worst case 7-3.
Game 11 – Denver Broncos at home
The Steelers host Denver on a Friday, making it a short week. Ted believes it will be close, but the Steelers lose by a field goal. But the majority see a win, in part because Denver has to travel to Pittsburgh.
Town Hall voted 5-3, with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: Best case 9-2. Worst case 8-3.
Game 12 – Houston Texans at home
A grudge match from last year’s playoff loss. Pittsburgh gains a couple of extra days from their Friday game. In the middle of a gauntlet: Philadelphia-Denver-Houston-Jacksonville. Scratch says Aaron Rodgers won’t have the flu this year. Mark Mosley says last year’s loss was closer than the score indicates.
Town Hall voted 4-4. Another best case/worst case scenario.
Record: Best case 10-2. Worst case 8-4.
Game 13 – At Jacksonville Jaguars on MNF
Pittsburgh travels to Jacksonville. But Ken Sterner and Ted Webb say it will be “Pittsburgh South,” with a 60/40 split in Steelers-to-Jaguars fans. All three of us plan to be there. Pittsburgh has a four-game winning streak playing in Jacksonville dating back to 2008.
Town Hall voted 7-1, with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: Best case 11-2. Worst case 9-4.
Game 14 – Baltimore Ravens at home
The Steelers host Baltimore just a few days before Christmas. The group feels very confident the Steelers will prevail at home, even if the Ravens are strong. Miracle Myke pointed out that Baltimore’s center is inexperienced. Jovaughn Gwyn, slated to start the season at center, has only 11 offensive snaps in his short NFL career. Veteran Ethan Pocic is recovering from surgery. We’ll see if he can play by then.
The Town Hall voted 7-1 with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: Best case 12-2. Worst case 10-4.
Game 15 – Carolina Panthers at home on date TBD
Pittsburgh’s last home game is on Christmas weekend. We hope it’s that Sunday, the 27th, to allow a full week of preparation. We expect a Merry Christmas in Pittsburgh.
Town Hall voted 7-1 with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: Best case 13-2. Worst case 11-4.
Game 16 – At Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh starts the new year right with a victory in Tennessee. Most see a decisive win, while one fears it is a trap game.
Town Hall voted 7-1 with Pittsburgh winning.
Record: Best case 14-2. Worst case 12-4.
Game 17 – at Baltimore Ravens
This game could matter for playoff seeding if Pittsburgh meets expectations. Could be a game to win the division. Could be a big ratings game. Optimists see this as a meaningless game since the Steelers will have a playoff berth locked up. Ken Sterner sees Chris Boswell kicking a game-winning field goal as time expires to win the division.
Town Hall voted 5-3 with Pittsburgh losing.
Record: Best case 14-3. Worst case 12-5.
Individual Predictions
Here are the personal predictions of the Steelers Town Hall participants this past Monday:
Name Record Prediction AFC North Record
David Orochena 9-8 3-3
Ken Sterner 12-5 5-1
Ted Webb 10-7 3-3
Brandon McPherson 11-6 4-2
Hawaii Kevin 15-2 6-0
Miracle Myke 14-3 5-1
Marc Mosley 14-3 4-2
Adam 12-5 5-1
Your Song Selection
I always like to include a bit of music. The oddsmakers say the Steelers will lose. Just a game over .500 at best. But we are feeling funky. Here is Play That Funky Music performed by Wild Cherry.
Conclusion
The Steelers Town Hall makes for a very optimistic group. The best-case scenario has them going 14-3. I imagine most Steelers fans would be ecstatic with that record.
Preseason oddsmakers favor the Steelers in seven of 17 games: Atlanta (home), Cleveland (road and home), Indianapolis (home), New Orleans in Paris, Carolina (home), and Tennessee (road).
The over/under is 8.5. Same as last year. So even our worst-case 12-5 prediction is very ambitious. What do you think? Will the Steelers surprise the league and emerge as a top team, or continue with a mediocre record around .500, or even have their first losing season since 2003 in the post-Tomlin era?