Coaching Gives Them a Chance
Pittsburgh uses heavy personnel and play action to keep Aaron Rodgers in defined, efficient throws. The defense remains pressure-based and is expected to keep the score low enough for that formula to work.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings
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78.8PFM Team Scorei
PFM Verdict
Why PFM Ranks the Steelers Here
T.J. Watt gives Pittsburgh a defense that can change a game without extra rushers, and Aaron Rodgers raises the short-term passing ceiling. The Steelers sit No. 18 because the quarterback room is old and the offense is changing systems again under Mike McCarthy. That version of the offense works only if Rodgers stays healthy, decisive and protected enough to keep the defense from carrying every close game.
NFL Rank#18Current PFM ranking
AFC Rank#10Among AFC teams
QB Stability#26Aaron Rodgers · QB Limbo
Season OutlookIn the Playoff Mix
Head coachMike McCarthy
Offensive coordinatorBrian Angelichio
Defensive coordinatorPatrick Graham
Regular-Season Baseline
Baseline September 8, 2026PFM Trend
Current stateBaseline set
Pittsburgh starts the regular season with a 78.8 PFM Team Score and the No. 18 spot in PFM’s NFL rankings. Movement will appear after the first published weekly ratings update.
PFM Team Score78.8
Score movementStarts here
NFL RankNo. 18
Rank movementStarts here
PFM Team DNA
View all NFL team rankingsPittsburgh Steelers Team DNA
Aaron Rodgers Has to Win After the First Read
Aaron Rodgers gives Pittsburgh an answer before the snap. The pressure point comes after the first read disappears, because the offense has little margin for Rodgers to hold the ball or throw at high volume.
PFM CALL
Locks September 13th at 1:00 PM EDT
Who wins Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers?
Week 1 matchup
AwayATL0-0
HomePIT0-0
Pick the winner.
PFM ROAD AHEAD
2026 Pittsburgh Steelers Strength of Schedule
Pittsburgh has one of the league’s more favorable schedules at No. 27, with opponents averaging 78.5. Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans still give the schedule a real test, but 3 games against current top-10 teams keep the full road from looking as heavy as most.
Difficulty Rank#27No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.78.5Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.80.4Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups3Games vs. current top 10
Away games left8
Top-10 road opponents2
vs. Atlanta Falcons76.4 PFM · #22
Sep 13 · 1:00 pmHome
at New England Patriots85.2 PFM · #8
Sep 20 · 1:00 pmAwayTop 10
vs. Cincinnati Bengals79.5 PFM · #16
Sep 27 · 1:00 pmHome
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Philadelphia Eagles at 86.3 PFM.
PFM ReporterReported
Joey Porter Jr. Returns to Practice for Pittsburgh
Joey Porter Jr. returned to Steelers practice Tuesday after being activated from PUP, giving Pittsburgh one of its starting corners back on the field after he missed camp with a back injury.
That is a positive step for the stronger side of Pittsburgh's PFM profile, but a return to practice is not the same as a settled Week 1 status.
Sources: Steelers Blog: Back to work
Around the League
League Context
Closest Team DNA Match
Built Like Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota VikingsMatch distance: 2.33 rating points
Shared profile: Offense and Roster Strength.
Pittsburgh gets answers across the field from the offensive line, while Minnesota gets answers across the field from the offensive line. The connection in Offensive Rating and Roster Strength is a second answer when the preferred matchup or personnel package gets taken away. Minnesota owns the big-play edge because the attack around the offensive line creates more pressure beyond ordinary gains.
Where they separate: Explosiveness. Vikings hold the stronger current rating.
Division Pressure
AFC North
Baltimore and Cincinnati own younger, more established quarterbacks. Pittsburgh can stay in the AFC North race through pressure defense and efficient Rodgers possessions, but any shootout tilts the division toward Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow.
Supporting Team Information
More About the Team
Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl Era
Pittsburgh is 6–2 in the Super Bowl and last won in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.
- Super Bowl Titles
- 6
- Super Bowl Appearances
- 8
- Super Bowl Record
- 6–2
- Last Appearance
- 2011 Super Bowl XLV
Current Injuries
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams