Pittsburgh Atlanta
Pittsburgh Atlanta
The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday for their first game of the year. It doesn’t look like the toughest matchup, especially with Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s status up in the air. However, former Falcons running back Michael Turner doesn’t think that there’s a significant talent gap between Pittsburgh and Atlanta.
“It’s a lot of unknowns,” Turner said Thursday on the Bleav in Falcons podcast. “Y’all got new coordinators, new coaching staff. We’ve got new coaching staff. But we both have suitable stars on the team. It’s a matter of which star’s gonna step up on Sunday… Y’all can be favored. I’m cool with that.
“But do I think y’all are a much better team than us? No. I do not think that. Y’all have questions and concerns as well. Y’all got a new coach for a reason, just like we’ve got a new coach for a reason.”
Yes, the Steelers aren’t a perfect team. They’ve got plenty of issues, including CB Joey Porter Jr.’s contract and game status. They also have a new head coach for the first time in almost 20 years. There will likely be associated growing pains.
However, the Falcons and Steelers are in different situations. Both teams have new head coaches this year for different reasons. Mike Tomlin stepped down after losing in the first round of the playoffs again. The Steelers still won their division last year, though.
Compare that to what the Falcons have done recently. They went 8-9 last year and fired head coach Raheem Morris after his second season there. While the Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003, the Falcons haven’t had a winning season since 2017. The two franchises have clear differences.
Still, the 2026 Falcons don’t lack talent, as Turner explained in that same video.
“We’ve got Bijan Robinson. Get him 100 yards on the ground. We’ve got Kyle Pitts. Give him 50, 60 yards. We’ve got Drake London. Give him 50, 60 yards… We’ve got guys that we don’t have to depend on Tua to do everything.”
The Falcons’ strength is their star players on offense. Robinson is arguably the NFL’s best running back. Pitts has had some disappointing seasons, but he caught 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns last year, and was named a Second-team All-Pro. London is dangerous, too. He likely would’ve posted his second 1,000-yard season last year if not for injuries.
However, the Steelers don’t lack offensive talent, either. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. could be a solid receiver duo. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington give Pittsburgh versatile tight ends. Also, Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle should provide the Steelers with a powerful rushing attack.
The real difference is on defense. The Steelers have more invested on that side of the ball than the Falcons. While Atlanta’s top talent might be better, Pittsburgh’s roster is more complete.