How to Watch Atlanta Falcons vs Pittsburgh Steelers: NFL Week 1 2026

Watch Info

• Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: FOX
• Streaming: NFL+ (in-market), NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV (out-of-market)
• Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Odds: Steelers favored, Falcons around +145 on the moneyline; Over/Under near 42.5

Game Preview

Both of these franchises enter 2026 under brand-new head coaches, giving Week 1 an extra layer of intrigue beyond the usual season-opening stakes. Atlanta hired Kevin Stefanski, who spent 2020-2025 as head coach of the Cleveland Browns and has faced Pittsburgh twice a year for the better part of a decade — giving him a level of familiarity with this opponent that's rare for a first game in a new city. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is beginning a new era of its own after longtime coach Mike Tomlin stepped down following a Wild Card loss to Houston, ending nearly two decades at the helm. Mike McCarthy, a veteran of stints in Green Bay and Dallas, takes over as just the fourth Steelers head coach since 1969.

The Steelers have won the last two Week 1 meetings between these teams, most recently an 18-16 win in 2024 built on six Chris Boswell field goals, and Atlanta has never beaten Pittsburgh on the road. Still, with both rosters and coaching staffs looking different than a year ago, history carries less weight than usual heading into this one.

Atlanta Falcons News & Storylines

Atlanta enters the season with a new starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who signed after being released by Miami following a rough 2025 campaign that ended with him benched for the rest of the year — including a difficult performance against this very Steelers defense in Week 15. The Falcons finished last season strong, winning their final four games after Michael Penix Jr., their 2024 first-round pick, suffered a partially torn ACL in Week 11. Veteran Kirk Cousins stepped in and led Atlanta to five wins in its final seven games, building momentum the team hopes carries into 2026 even with Tagovailoa now under center.

The Falcons' offense is loaded with proven playmakers: running back Bijan Robinson led the entire NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage last season, was named first-team All-Pro, and finished fourth in Offensive Player of the Year voting. Tight end Kyle Pitts (88 catches, 928 yards, second-team All-Pro) and wide receiver Drake London give Atlanta one of the more talented skill groups in the league. On defense, outside linebacker James Pearce Jr. racked up 10.5 sacks in just three starts as a rookie, while safety Xavier Watts led the team with five interceptions — both finishing near the top of Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Pittsburgh Steelers News & Storylines

Pittsburgh's new era begins with Mike McCarthy calling the shots and 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers back under center for a second season with the team. The Steelers haven't had a losing season since 2003, and they haven't won a playoff game since 2016 — both streaks that add pressure to McCarthy's debut, even with the organization's typical patience with coaching stability. New offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham round out a staff tasked with getting more out of a talented, expensive roster than it's shown in recent postseasons.

Despite all the offseason change, Pittsburgh opens as the favorite at home, reflecting continued confidence in the roster even as questions swirl around how quickly a 42-year-old quarterback and a first-year coaching staff can find their rhythm together.

Key Matchup to Watch

Tua Tagovailoa against the Steelers defense that got the best of him in their last meeting is the story to watch. If Pittsburgh's defensive front can create the same kind of pressure and confusion it did in Week 15 of last season, it could set the tone early. On the other side, watch whether Atlanta's James Pearce Jr. and the pass rush can get home against a Steelers offensive line protecting a 42-year-old quarterback in a new system.

What to Expect

With two new head coaches, two new quarterback situations, and real pressure on both sidelines to start strong, this profiles as a tight, low-scoring dogfight rather than a shootout. Home-field advantage and Pittsburgh's recent success in this series make the Steelers the slight favorite, but Atlanta's talent and late-season momentum from last year make this a legitimate toss-up.