Falcons vs Steelers predictions, graded
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers · Week 1, 2026 · Sun, Sep 13 · Final: Falcons 13, Steelers 20 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Falcons vs Steelers? Of 19 pundits with a call on record, 17 take the Steelers and 2 take the Falcons. 3 named a score; the median has the Steelers by 10. The Steelers won 20-13, so 17 of 19 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 89 out of 100.
Who the room took
19 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callFalcons vs Steelers picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- Sports Illustratedall 8 Steelers
- CBS SportsSteelers 3, Falcons 1
- The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)all 2 Steelers
The other 5 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Steelers 4, Falcons 1.
Falcons vs Steelers score predictions
3 pundits named a score; the median call is Steelers by 10, and the final was Steelers by 7.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Mike FlorioSteelers 21, Falcons 10Hit · 90
- Pete PriscoSteelers 27, Falcons 17Hit · 93
- John BreechSteelers 23, Falcons 20Hit · 90
Falcons at Steelers: how they came in
The Falcons went 8-9 last season and the Steelers went 10-7 last season. On win totals, 9 pundits put the Falcons at 6.1 wins on average, and 19 pundits put the Steelers at 9.1 wins on average.
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 20th, defense 20th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 8-9
- Win-total calls
- 9 pundits · average 6.1 · 2 to 9 wins
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 14th, defense 3rd of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 10-7
- Win-total calls
- 19 pundits · average 9.1 · 6 to 12 wins
Falcons and Steelers players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Falcons
- Michael Penix Jr.Starting QB · QB
1,444 passing yards · 10 TD, 6 INT · 62.3% completions · 7 games · 26th in the NFL in passing yards
Michael Penix Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“Michael Penix Jr. is the best quarterback option the Falcons have, and as soon as he's ready to return from the ACL injury that ended his 2025 season, he'll start for Atlanta.” the article →
Michael Penix Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“it would not be surprising for Penix to take over at some point this season, given Tagovailoa's recent struggles and injury history” the article →
- Bijan RobinsonRB1 · RB
880 rushing yards on 169 carries · 6 TD · 31 catches for 250 · 9 games · 1st in the NFL in rushing yards
Bijan Robinson to record 1,361 rushing yards
“Projecting that he reaches 1,361 yards this season, Robinson will have 5,271 rushing yards by season's end.” the article →
Bijan Robinson to finish top 2 at his position, by fantasy points
“Now, have I moved Bajon Robinson out of RB2 spot? No” the article →
- Drake LondonWR1 · WR
44 catches for 692 yards · 1 TD · 9 games · 8th in the NFL in receiving yards
“He's wide receiver one. Where you want to put him in wide receiver one is fine by me.” the article →
Drake London to be 1st on the depth chart
“Drake London is and remains the unquestioned No. 1 WR by role” the article →
- Kyle PittsTE1 · TE
25 catches for 220 yards · 4 TD · 9 games · 113th in the NFL in receiving yards
Kyle Pitts to be 2nd on the depth chart
“The Falcons don't have a lot of firepower at wide receiver beyond Drake London, so Kyle Pitts could very well be Atlanta's No. 2 target-earner this season.” the article →
- Za'Darius SmithSack leader · DE
4.5 sacks · 6 solo tackles · 6 games · 22nd in the NFL in sacks
- Kendal DanielsTackle leader · LB
1 sack · 40 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games · 8th in the NFL in solo tackles
Steelers
- Aaron RodgersStarting QB · QB
1,871 passing yards · 13 TD, 6 INT · 60.8% completions · 8 games · 16th in the NFL in passing yards
Aaron Rodgers — Fourth all-time in regular season wins by a starting quarterback: should pass Drew Brees for fourth all-time by season's end
“Barring injury, he should pass Drew Brees for fourth all-time by season's end.” the article →
Aaron Rodgers to move — “will retire from football after the upcoming season”
“Aaron Rodgers will retire from football after the upcoming season. Which means that, when the next season gets started n 2027 (blink your eyes and it'll be here), he'll be doing something other than playing football.” the article →
- Jaylen WarrenRB1 · RB
704 rushing yards on 119 carries · 3 TD · 25 catches for 294 · 8 games · 6th in the NFL in rushing yards
Jaylen Warren to be 1st on the depth chart
“Dowdle has been practicing this week and could return for the Steelers' road game against the Buccaneers, but there is no pretense of Dowdle getting his early-season role back.” the article →
Jaylen Warren to fall short of his draft cost (outside of the RB1 range in ADP)
“That makes it tougher to bet on landing a big hit from team RB1 picks (per ADP) going later in Tony Pollard, Jaylen Warren, Chuba Hubbard, Rachaad White, and Aaron Jones” the article →
- DK MetcalfWR1 · WR
33 catches for 378 yards · 1 TD · 8 games · 43rd in the NFL in receiving yards
DK Metcalf to be 1st on the depth chart
“Rodgers has also continued to strengthen his rapport with DK Metcalf (who continues to be Rodgers' unquestioned primary option)” the article →
DK Metcalf to be 1st on the depth chart
“Metcalf should lead the way for Pittsburgh's passing attack in Week 1.” the article →
- Darnell WashingtonTE1 · TE
19 catches for 254 yards · 3 TD · 8 games · 99th in the NFL in receiving yards
- T.J. WattSack leader · LB
7.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 1 interception · 7 games · 4th in the NFL in sacks
T.J. Watt to make Pro Football Hall of Fame
“Watt is an all-time great pass rusher, and he might not even be close to done yet.” the article →
T.J. Watt to win Defensive Player of the Year
“But give me T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh.” the article →
- Payton WilsonTackle leader · LB
1 sack · 35 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 20th in the NFL in solo tackles
Every call on Falcons at Steelers
1–25 of 27
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Jordan Dajani is taking the Steelers to easily handle the Falcons.
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Atlanta Falcons
Cooper Rush gonna have a long day at the office. Steelers win that game by two scores.
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Atlanta Falcons
my first winner is going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers facing, looking at minus three and a half over the Atlanta Falcons... I think it's Probably a 7 to 10 point victory in this game.
Atlanta Falcons to beat Steelers
Tagovailoa will return to Pittsburgh on Sunday, and if he's able to play after suffering an oblique injury in practice on Thursday , he'll outplay Rodgers to shock the Steelers en route to a Falcons victory.
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
I think Pittsburgh rolls, and I think Pittsburgh rolls at home. I'll take the Steelers minus five-and-a-half.
Atlanta Falcons to beat Steelers
Week one of my bold prediction... And I said, Falcons beat. Falcons, despite their disarray quarterback, go in to beat the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers 21 — Falcons 10
Steelers 21, Falcons 10.
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Gilberto Manzano: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — John Pluym: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Matt Verderame: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Mike Kadlick: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Albert Breer: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Mitch Goldich: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Eva Geitheim: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons at Steelers — Conor Orr: Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 — Falcons 17
Pick: Steelers 27, Falcons 17
Pittsburgh Steelers 23 — Falcons 20
Steelers 23-20 over Falcons
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
Tua got the Week 1 nod
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Atlanta Falcons
week one, this Pittsburgh. Boss [loss].
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
falcon steelers i went chalky here i went pittsburgh favor by three... I'll take the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers.
Michael Penix Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
just ask Falcons fans how excited they are by the prospect of Michael Penix Jr. starting in Week 1 and then remind yourself that Cousins couldn't beat him out a year ago
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Falcons
Falcons (at Steelers). ... but that won't be enough to help Atlanta pull off the upset.
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
That one fact would seem to clear the path for Tua to start in Week 1 ... it certainly feels like Tua is in the driver's seat right now.
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
With Tua Tagovailoa tracking to be the Week 1 starter, London should maintain his volume and efficiency from the past few years
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
The Falcons could be forced to start Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback in Week 1 while Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab his knee.