In just over one month’s time, the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin their regular season when they host the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.
This marks the second time in three years that Pittsburgh and Atlanta will face one another in Week 1, with the Steelers winning in 2024 by the score of 18-16. Chris Boswell’s first of two six-field-goal games helped the Justin Fields-led Steelers defeat Kirk Cousins and the Falcons.
Advertisement
Two years later, both teams have different signal-callers. Aaron Rodgers has returned for a second season in Pittsburgh, while the Falcons will choose between Michael Penix and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovaila to be their Week 1 starter. According to Ian Rapoport, though, that decision appears all but made.
“My general feel is that Tua will be the starter for Week 1,” Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Penix has not been cleared. They’re having a quarterback battle, but [Tua starting] is what it feels like to me.”
The Steelers faced Tagovailoa in Week 15 of the 2025 season, hosting the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The Steelers won 28-15 and held Tagovailoa to a QBR of 12.2.
Pittsburgh and Atlanta will face-off on Fox. The last time the two teams played one another in Week 1 on Fox in Pittsburgh, Rashard Mendehnall scored on a 50-yard touchdown in overtime to give the Steelers a 15-9 win.
Advertisement
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
