The Steelers’ 2026 schedule was announced Thursday night. And in true NFL fashion, the whole thing was leaked well before the league made it official.
But now, it’s time for another yearly tradition: With the schedule out, let’s go game by game, predicting the wins and losses.
Yes, this is not anything close to a scientific exercise, especially with so many changes bound to happen between now and September (I am predicting these games with the assumption Aaron Rodgers signs). But it’s fun to do, and it sets
a baseline of sorts for future predictions.
Let’s dive in:
Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. — Win
The Steelers have won the last five meetings against Atlanta — and the Falcons have never won in Pittsburgh. Historical trends aside, the Falcons are still in quarterback purgatory, and the Steelers should be fired up with a rare home opener and new head coach.
Week 2: at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. — Loss
Last year, the Steelers needed a whopping five defensive turnovers to defeat New England by one touchdown. And the Patriots only improved throughout 2025 en route to a Super Bowl appearance — and at this point in 2026, they might’ve added AJ Brown.
Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. — Win
This early in the season, the usually injury-bitten Bengals should still be a threat, especially with the addition of elite nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. Still, that defense has a lot of holes, and the Steelers are at home.
Week 4: at Cleveland Browns, 8: 15 p.m. (Thursday Night Football) — Loss
Times might change under Mike McCarthy, but this is a loss many are penciling in already. The Steelers have struggled to win in Cleveland lately, and the Thursday Night Football setting should only up the slop factor.
Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. — Win
I’m not bullish on the Colts, even with a healthy Daniel Jones, to repeat their unexpected success from the first half of 2025. Michael Pittman Jr. gets a petty game ball — are we still doing those? — against his former team.
Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. — Win
The Buccaneers are still a dangerous team, but the wheels fell off in 2025, headlined by a disappointing season from quarterback Baker Mayfield. I don’t have a ton of faith in Todd Bowles to right the pirate ship this year.
Week 7: at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. (Paris) — Win
It’s an international game, so expect TNF levels of wackiness, and maybe the Saints get a force multiplier playing the land of the fleur-de-lis. Still, while I’m cautiously optimistic in the offense New Orleans has put together, this seems like a winnable game for Pittsburgh.
Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. — Win
Playing in a divisional game the week after a trip to Europe isn’t ideal, but the good news is that the Browns haven’t won a regular season game in Pittsburgh since 2003. I doubt Yinzer Mike McCarthy wants that streak to break in the first year under his watch.
Week 9: BYE
Tough to lose this one.
Week 10: at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football) — Win
This marks the start of a stretch of non-1 p.m. kickoffs for Pittsburgh. I also think it’ll be a win. The Steelers are able to sweep the Bengals, this time thanks to an extra week of rest.
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. — Loss
Here’s another historical stat: The Steelers haven’t won in Philadelphia since 1965. I don’t think anything changes here, as the Steelers run into what should still be a tough team in the trenches with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball.
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos, 3 p.m. (Black Friday) — Loss
After a somewhat easy start to the schedule, the Steelers encounter their first losing streak of the year against the Broncos after Thanksgiving. Denver has an efficient offense and a fierce defense that should challenge Pittsburgh’s young offensive line and aging quarterback.
Week 13: vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football) — Loss
Copy and paste what I said about the Broncos defense, but to an even greater degree when it comes to the Texans. Case in point: This group ate Aaron Rodgers and co. alive in the NFL Playoffs in January. Houston’s offense is a potential weak point, but the addition of David Montgomery and another offensive line revamp might result in some improvements.
Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football) — Win
Does the Steelers’ historical Monday Night Football success continue with a new Mike? For now, I think it will. The Jaguars are a better team than many give them credit for, but I also think this Steelers team has improved more than some in the national media would believe. Pittsburgh breaks a three-game skid with a much-needed win.
Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. — Loss
The Steelers come back down to earth with a loss to the Ravens at home. For yet another year, the Steelers’ schedule takes a difficult turn in the second half.
Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD — Loss
On paper, the Steelers should beat the Panthers, but Carolina proved to be a tough out at times in 2025 — even giving a very good Rams team a scare in the playoffs. With attrition setting in late in the year, Pittsburgh drops a winnable game.
Week 17: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. — Win
While the Titans have improved some since a dismal 2025, they’re still a welcome sight to see on the schedule. Pittsburgh desperately needs a win here and gets one, building towards the epic Week 18 Ravens-Steelers rematch Roger Goodell has been counting on the entire time.
Week 18: at Baltimore Ravens, TBD — Win
Yup, another 10-7 season as the Steelers split the series against Baltimore. I don’t have any meaningful analysis here: These late-season AFC North games are anyone’s guess, especially as the teams likely won’t look anything like they did before Week 1. Still, the Steelers seem destined to win at least one of these games, and they do so here.
Final record: 10-7; Wild Card spot
A tale as old as time. But I’ll be the first one to admit this is as much based on past history as it is my expectations for the NFL in 2026. There’s still a lot we’ll find out in the upcoming months.
Real football can’t get here fast enough.
What’s your initial Steelers’ game-by-game prediction? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
