The National Football League on Thursday launched its full schedule of video games for the 2026 season, and the Pittsburgh Steelers once again face the Atlanta Falcons in their opening game.
On paper, the 2 groups haven’t got lots in widespread: One is within the AFC North, the opposite within the AFC South. One performs within the components, the opposite in a snug dome. One has six Super Bowls, however the closest the opposite got here to profitable one was a 28-3 lead that it blew to Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl 51 in 2017.
Yet, the National Football League appears to like to pair the franchises to start out seasons.
It’s typically mentioned politics makes unusual bedfellows. Apparently, that may be mentioned about sports activities, too.
The NFL launched its full slate of video games on Thursday night time for the 2026 season, and the Falcons are set to go to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13 to kick off the common season.
This will mark the third time because the 2010 season the groups have begun the season towards one another and, if previous efficiency is indicative of future outcomes, the Black and Gold ought to like their possibilities: The 2010 matchup resulted in a 15-9 Steelers additional time win, whereas the Steelers gained 18-10 in 2024.
Highlights of the Steelers schedule embody the first-ever NFL common season recreation in France in week seven towards the New Orleans Saints, in addition to a Black Friday dwelling recreation towards the Denver Broncos. The season additionally options 4 primetime video games: every week 4 Thursday night time tilt in Cleveland, Sunday night time video games in week 10 at Cincinnati, every week 13 at dwelling versus Houston, and a “Monday Night Football” showdown in Jacksonville in week 14.
The Steelers first AFC North motion of the 12 months will happen in week three, at dwelling versus the Cincinnati Bengals.