The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to grab a win in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season as the team took down the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 20-13. It was kind of a disappointing debut from the offense that is being run by Mike McCarthy, but the ground had some opportunities that it should be able to capitalize on moving forward. The defensive unit is really what drove the team to a victory as the group scored a touchdown and made it difficult for Atlanta to get anything going on the offensive side of the football.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan sits next to Head Coach Mike McCarthy during the 2026 offseason.
The offense left a lot to be desired for the Steelers, but the defense provided plenty of reasons for optimism. New additions on that side of the ball were reliable when it came to tackling, and the stars made plays throughout the game. TJ Watt had one of the best games of his career as he recorded two sacks and had a pick-six, while Cam Heyward knocked down three passes at the line of scrimmage. Alex Highsmith also added on two sacks on the day. The pass rushers are certainly garnering attention around the NFL.
The defense played excellently, and well-respected NFL pundit Brian Baldinger had to text Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl to let him know how good the group could be. He mentioned this on a recent episode of Move The Sticks while talking to Daniel Jeremiah.
"I texted our buddy Andy Weidl after watching the defense," Baldinger said. "I said, 'They got a chance to be the best defense in football.' But they might lead the league in takeaways. They've got a chance. With their speed, youth, combination of the vets, and what Cam Heyward... he leads the league right now in deflected passes, batted balls. And TJ's in the passing lanes. They've got a chance to be really good. And they know it. All those young guys, [Nick] Herbig, [Jack] Sawyer, Yahya Black, all those guys are going to be good players. Payton Wilson already is. They've got horses everywhere."
Baldinger notes that the mix of youth and veteran leadership on the defense is going to be something to watch, and it is a positive for Pittsburgh. The veterans are still making big plays for the Steelers, and the younger players are able to rotate onto the field and still produce at a high level. It allows everyone to stay fresh.
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Steelers linebacker TJ Watt rushes the passer during Week 1 matchup against the Falcons on September 13, 2026.
The defense for Pittsburgh has had high expectations in recent years, but the group has always seemed to underperform. Now with a coaching change there is some optimism behind the fact that this group might finally be able to reach its full potential. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has gotten off to a hot start, and hopefully it continues moving forward in the season.
Steelers Have A Much Bigger Challenge In Week 2 Defensively
It is okay to be excited about the defense after Week 1, but the reality is that the defense was taking on Cooper Rush at quarterback. He has been a capable backup at times, but he is arguably a third-stringer at best. In Week 2, the Steelers will travel to play the New England Patriots, who are led by Drake Maye on offense. He was the runner-up for the league's MVP Award in 2025, and he led New England to the Super Bowl in just his second season in the league.
Maye is a challenge to defend. He is extremely mobile, and he has proven to be proficient as a passer. He is coming into this matchup with a chip on his shoulder after throwing three interceptions in the first game of the 2026 NFL season, including the pick that sealed the win for the Seattle Seahawks. He will be looking to perform better against Pittsburgh's defense.
What do you think about Baldinger's praise for the Steelers defense? Will the group continue to perform well against the Patriots? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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