By admin 
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-0 after opening the season with a win over the Atlanta Falcons. They will now head to Foxborough to take on the defending AFC champions, who lost their Super Bowl grudge match to the Seattle Seahawks last Wednesday night. Despite their 0-1 start, the Patriots remain a difficult challenge from a schematic and matchup standpoint.
Read more Comeback in works? Woods, 50, spotted on golf course
Unlike the Patriots, the Steelers have not received much respect in the national media’s power rankings. Entering Week 1, most rankings viewed Pittsburgh as a borderline playoff team at best. Even after the Steelers opened the season with a win, not much has changed from that standpoint. Pittsburgh still has plenty to prove this season.
Here is a roundup and review of the national NFL power rankings and where the Steelers currently stand:
Where the Steelers Are Ranked in NFL Power Rankings
- NFL.com: 23 (Down from 21 in Week 1)
- PFF: 19 (No change from 19 in Week 1)
- ESPN: 21 (No change from 21 in Week 1)
- Pro Football Talk: 17 (Up from 18 in Week 1)
What National Pundits Are Saying About the Steelers’ Power Ranking
“Mike McCarthy’s debut as Steelers coach didn’t come with the explosive offense that was his trademark at prior NFL stops. Aaron Rodgers played with more freedom and aggression than he did last season, but the unit struggled to produce points against the Falcons. None of that matters all that much, though, when T.J. Watt is intercepting passes and turning them into defensive touchdowns.” –Nick Shook (NFL)
“The Steelers won in ugly fashion over the Falcons, riding a T.J. Watt masterclass (92.3 overall PFF grade) in Week 1. Watt and the rest of Pittsburgh’s elite defensive line catalyzed a stout debut for new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, yielding just a 40% success rate. More questions abound for Mike McCarthy’s offense, which saw strong play from Aaron Rodgers (80.5) but didn’t run the ball efficiently.” –Bradley Locker (PFF)
“Even with Falcons do-everything back Bijan Robinson racking up 173 scrimmage yards, it’s hard to point to anyone other than Graham. The Steelers’ pass rush dominated third-string quarterback Cooper Rush, and the buy-in from the Steelers’ veterans was evident. T.J. Watt, who admitted he was stubborn about the idea of moving around in the old scheme, did just that Sunday. Not only did Watt have a pick-six, but he also recorded a sack from each side of the D-line. Graham passed his first test with flying colors.” –Brooke Pryor (ESPN)
“For the second time in three years, T.J. Watt personally delivered a win over the Falcons in Week 1.” –Mike Florio (PFT)
Read more Further Ado Ready To ‘Rebound’ In Pennsylvania Derby
Steelers Offense Has a Lot to Prove, Defense on the Rise
The defensive showcase led by defensive coordinator Patrick Graham impressed in Week 1. Pittsburgh consistently generated pressure while playing almost exclusively zone coverage. Although Graham prefers a Cover 2 press-man approach, his debut showed that he will not tie his defense to one scheme. Instead, he can adjust his approach based on the opponent.
That performance also came without Joey Porter Jr., whose status remains uncertain moving forward. T.J. Watt, meanwhile, looked rejuvenated and appears poised for a major bounce-back season after dominating the Falcons.
Pittsburgh’s offense remains a concern, but the unit was just a few missed opportunities away from changing the complexion of the game. If not for a couple of drops, the Steelers could have won more comfortably.
Aaron Rodgers also flipped the script by raising the bar on his average depth of target (ADOT), which exceeded 10 yards after sitting at a league-low 5.9 yards in 2025. His average time to throw also increased to 2.85-2.95 seconds, up significantly from 2.59 seconds in 2025.
There are encouraging signs from the offense, but Pittsburgh must execute more consistently if it wants to earn greater respect from the national media. The defense showed what its ceiling could look like under Graham. Now, the offense has to prove it can keep pace.
Read more D-backs in must-win situation against Marlins as season dwindles
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published September 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM.