Falcons prepare to face Steelers in Sunday road season opener

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in their 2026 season opener on Sunday. Cooper Rush will start at quarterback for Atlanta while Tua Tagovailoa recovers from an oblique strain and Michael Penix continues rehabilitation from an ACL injury. The Falcons seek their first win in Pittsburgh, having lost their previous two season openers against the Steelers when starting backup quarterbacks. Bijan Robinson enters the game as the focal point of the Atlanta offense, tasked with anchoring a run-heavy attack against a Pittsburgh defense led by T.J. Watt. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor makes his official Atlanta debut, assuming responsibility for protecting the quarterback from the Steelers' pass rush. Defensive end Cameron Thomas is set to play a larger role in the Falcons' pass rush, targeting Pittsburgh's new starters on the right side of their offensive line.

• 2:00 PMYahoo Sports — Intriguing players to watch in Falcons vs. Steelers