The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons for the 2026 season opener Sunday. The Steelers are 49-39-5 in opening games including 31-19-3 at home.
These two teams previously met twice before in the opening game of a season. Two years ago, the Steelers travelled to Atlanta and won 18-10. In 2010 in Heinz Field, it went to overtime when Rashard Mendenhall scored the winning touchdown in a 15-9 victory.
The Steelers own the Falcons with a 16-2-1 record while they remain unbeaten when playing them in Pittsburgh.
In 2001, the Steelers enjoyed a 13-3 season, before losing 4-14 to New England in the Conference game.
The following year they drafted guard Kendall Simmons along with wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, defensive back Chris Hope and linebacker Larry Foote. With their final pick in round 7 they took defensive end Brett Keisel.
The Steelers began the new season losing three of their first four games, forcing Coach Cowher to replace Kordel Stewart with Tommy Maddox. Despite Maddox losing his first start 29-32 to the Saints, Cowher stuck with him leading to a four-game winning streak to put their season back on track.
Week 10 saw the Steelers host the Falcons who were also on a run of four wins. Their second-year veteran quarterback Michael Vick had been compared to “Slash” Stewart. While Stewart had been benched, the Atlanta fans were enjoying the “Slash and Dash” of Vick.
The (5-3) Steelers vs Falcons; (5-3) November 10, 2002
The Steelers defense made an early impact when Joey Porter recovered his force fumble giving the Steelers good field position on their 44. A Tommy Maddox fumble saw the opportunity scorned before the Steelers next possession ended with Todd Peterson kicking a 34-yard field goal to edge Pittsburgh into the lead.
When the game entered the second quarter, the teams’ quarterbacks began a duel that would set Heinz Field alight. Atlanta hit back when Vick threw a touchdown pass of 43 yards to Shawn Jefferson. Maddox followed with touchdown passes of 33 yards to Plaxico Burress and 5 yards to Hines Ward.
After Peterson missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, the Steelers went to the locker room at the half with a 17-7 advantage.
Atlanta’s Warrick Dunn interrupted the quarterback battle in the third quarter with a 59-yard touchdown run. The Steelers replied with a touchdown pass from Maddox to Burress of 62 yards. Peterson’s point after attempt failed.
Jay Feely reduced Atlanta’s deficit with a 36-yard field goal before Maddox hit Jerame Tuman with an 18-yard touchdown pass. Hines Ward completed the two-point conversion which saw the Steelers take a 31-17 lead into the final period.
Peterson extended their lead with a field goal from 34 yards before Atlanta’s defense stepped up while the Steelers wilted. A 1-yard touchdown run by Bob Christian, a 40-yard field goal from Feely was topped by an 11-yard touchdown run from Vick to send the game into overtime.
Both teams had field goal chances to end the game. Both attempts were blocked. The final play of the game saw Maddox launch a Hail Mary that Burress hauled in at the one, but he was tackled short of the goal line.
The Pittsburgh Steelers 34 vs the Atlanta Falcons 34
It was the first tie in the NFL for five years.
Tommy Maddox broke Bobby Layne’s franchise record by 64 yards, throwing for 473 yards with four touchdowns. That record is now held by Ben Roethlisberger with 522 against Indianapolis (2014).
The 253 receiving yards of Plaxico Burress set a new franchiser record that is now held by Antonio Brown with 284 against Oakland (2025).
The 645 yards surrendered by the Falcons were the most in their history and ranked second in Steelers records to the 692 they gained against the Chicago Cardinals (1958). “They outplayed us,” admitted Atlanta’s defensive co-ordinator. “We couldn’t cover them man-to man and when we went to zone, they found scams.”
The Steelers finished 10-5-1, sweeping the division 6-0 for the first time, which saw them gain their 16th division title. They beat Cleveland 36-33 in the wildcard game before losing 31-34 in the divisional game at Tennessee.
