We are nine days away from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2026 season officially beginning when they host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
With the season (finally) here, I’ll be going game by game and predicting every contest on the Steelers’ schedule. Ryland Bickley did his own game-by-game picks back in May on the day of the schedule release, and you can go and read that to compare our predictions. But, before then, let’s dive in.
Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ quarterback situation is a disaster. Tua Tagovailoa looked like
a baby chasing bubbles in the preseason, and Michael Penix’s knees are being held together by scotch tape and hope. If there was any opponent I would have picked for a Week 1 game, Atlanta would have been it. Plus, they’ve never won a game in Pittsburgh. Steelers start the season off with a win.
Final prediction: Steelers 24, Falcons 10 (1-0)
Week 2: at New England Patriots
The Steelers narrowly escaped Foxborough in 2025 with a win, despite forcing five turnovers. They won’t be as lucky this time, as New England will be coming off a mini-bye week after kicking off the season on Wednesday, September 9.
Final prediction: Patriots 23, Steelers 17 (1-1)
Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
In what I expect to be a high-scoring tilt, the Steelers are able to steal the first of two matchups with the Bengals to get to 2-1 on the season.
Final prediction: Steelers 31, Bengals 28 (2-1)
Week 4: at Browns (Thursday night)
If this were still Mike Tomlin’s team, I’d write down a loss in Sharpie. However, hopefully the Steelers’ Thursday night struggles come to an end under Mike McCarthy and they are able to handedly defeat a bad Browns team.
Final prediction: Steelers 23, Browns 6 (3-1)
Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ loss to the Steelers last season kick-started a downward spiral in the second half of the season. Their defense got much weaker over the offseason, and their offense lacks a true No. 1 receiver while leaning too heavily on Jonathan Taylor. It’s a game Pittsburgh should win.
Final prediction: Steelers 27, Colts 19 (4-1)
Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m not huge on Tampa in 2026, but their draft was one that impressed me. Rueben Bain looks like he’ll be an instant impact player, and Ted Hurts could emerge as the No. 2 receiver in the offense. In a close one, Pittsburgh drops its second game of the year.
Final prediction: Buccaneers 24, Steelers 23 (4-2)
Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints (Paris)
I picked the Saints to win the NFC South, but Pittsburgh should bounce back against a younger team that still has a somewhat low ceiling.
Final prediction: Steelers 20, Saints 16 (5-2)
Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns
The Steelers haven’t lost a regular season game to the Browns at home since 2003. That won’t be changing this season. Shedeur Sanders will probably be under center by the time this game is played, or maybe he will already be pulled in favor of Dillon Gabriel. Whomever is the quarterback, the Steelers will win.
Final prediction: Steelers 30, Browns 12 (6-2)
Week 9: Bye
I think everyone would sign up for the Steelers being 6-2 at the bye.
Week 10: at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday night)
The Bengals get their win back and even the season series.
Final prediction: Bengals 27, Steelers 20 (6-3)
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Steelers always have a hard time in Philly. I don’t expect that to change until proven otherwise.
Final prediction: Eagles 26, Steelers 16 (6-4)
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos (Black Friday)
Although Denver has a high-caliber defense, the Steelers are able to hold their offense in check and avoid a third straight loss.
Final prediction: Steelers 17, Broncos 13 (7-4)
Week 13: vs. Houston Texans (Sunday night)
In what will be Mike Tomlin’s return to Pittsburgh, the Steelers face a similar fate that they did on wild card weekend to close out their 2025 season. While the game is closer, Houston’s defense proves to be too much.
Final prediction: Texans 20, Steelers 13 (7-5)
Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars (Monday night)
After losing three of their previous four games, the Steelers and their offense get back on track and defeat Jacksonville.
Final prediction: Steelers 27, Jaguars 23 (8-5)
Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh has won five of the last six home games against the Ravens, and their roster is simply much better. They win in Week 15.
Final prediction: Steelers 23, Ravens 17 (9-5)
Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
There is a greater than zero chance that Kenny Pickett starts this game. The Panthers will be awful. Pittsburgh wins in its easiest game of the year.
Final prediction: Steelers 34, Panthers 10 (10-5)
Week 17: at Tennessee Titans
I’ve said all offseason that the Titans will surprise people. Cam Ward and Carnell Tate have big days as they keep their own playoff hopes alive against Pittsburgh.
Final prediction: Titans 27, Steelers 21 (10-6)
Week 18: at Baltimore Ravens
While this game won’t be for the division, it very well could be a win-and-in situation for Baltimore. Pittsburgh prevents that from happening, sweeping the Ravens once again.
Final prediction: Steelers 28, Ravens 23 (11-6)
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!
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