Steelers Beat Falcons, Box Score Stats, Highlights for Aaron Rodgers, Bijan, DK, Rush, Top Players

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated Cooper Rush and the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 at home in Week 1 action.

After the game, Rodgers gave the game ball to head coach Mike McCarthy (h/t Brooke Pryor of ESPN):

"Mike's had a lot of wins, but it's always special when it's the first one at a place, and extra special when it's the team you grew up cheering for and you grew up just on the other side of the river from the facility. [His] parents are still living in town, so super special to be able to do that. I was really honestly looking forward to that today as much as anything."

Ahead of Rodgers and the Steelers' season opener, they were a 6.5-point favorite over the Falcons, per FanDuel Sportsbook .

Missed field goals, big defensive stops and utter chaos painted this Week 1 opener at Acrisure Stadium as 42-year-old Rodgers opened his 22nd NFL season with a victory.

The opening touchdown of the day belonged to the Falcons after the Steelers fumbled the ball away, setting them up in prime territory at Pittsburgh's own 25-yard line.

Rush connected with Bijan Robinson on a 23-yard touchdown pass for Atlanta's first touchdown of the 2026 season.

The Falcons returned the favor in the second, with Rush throwing an interception that resulted in a 31-yard Steelers drive down the field for their first touchdown of the season, a Rodgers connection to Pat Freiermuth.

Atlanta's Nick Folk missed a 54-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter as the Steelers entered halftime leading 13-7.

Folk's field goal woes continued in the second half, as he missed a 45-yard attempt out of the half.

Both defenses stepped up in the third, with the Falcons forcing two three-and-outs and a turnover on downs that Folk was able to turn into a successful field goal, cutting the gap to three points heading into the final frame.

Rush threw a pick-six to open the fourth quarter that veteran linebacker T.J. Watt returned for a score to give Pittsburgh a 20-10 lead.

Atlanta's Folk knocked down a 43-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game, and luckily for them, the Steelers' Chris Boswell missed a 56-yard field goal that would have put the game away.

Despite their extra chance, the Falcons only managed 11 yards, going three-and-out, while the Steelers managed to milk the clock to close out the win.

Atlanta will host the Carolina Panthers next Sunday, while Pittsburgh will hit the road to face the New England Patriots. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET.