The Pittsburgh Steelers started off the 2026 NFL regular season in typical Steelers fashion, with the defense taking over the game and forcing turnovers while the offense struggled to get much of anything going.

Pittsburgh defeated the Falcons 20-13 in a game where the Steelers faced Atlanta’s third-string quarterback. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers’ offense looked like a unit that didn’t play much in the preseason, as it took them a little while to finally get things going.

Still, a win is a win no matter how ugly it may have been. While it wasn’t the cleanest performance, three players stood out as the biggest standouts from Week 1 and played a major part in helping the Steelers come away with a win on Sunday

3 biggest Pittsburgh Steelers’ standouts from Week 1 victory over Falcons

T.J. Watt reminded fans he still has it

We got to see the T.J. Watt that Steelers fans have been waiting to see for quite a while. After a down season last year, there were questions about whether Watt was starting to decline and if we would ever see that same dominant player again. On Sunday, we got our answer, as vintage T.J. Watt showed up and took over the game.

His biggest play came when he basically sealed the game with a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown. Watt finished the day with two sacks, a pass deflection and the pick-six, putting together one of his best performances in quite some time. With the way he played on Sunday, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him take home AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Cameron Heyward was playing volleyball with Cooper Rush’s passes

The ageless wonder continues to find ways to make an impact on games. Even though he didn’t show up on the stat sheet with any sacks, he finished with three pass deflections and made his presence felt in both the run and pass game, while also coming close to getting home for a sack a few times.

Those three pass deflections were huge plays as well, because who knows how those plays would have turned out if he hadn’t gotten a hand on the football. At 37 years old, he continues to show that he can still make an impact and be a difference-maker for this Steelers defense.

Alex Highsmith made his presence felt opposite of Watt

It seems like the core of the Steelers’ defense was the ones who stepped up against the Falcons and was one of the biggest reasons why this team came away with a win. The Steelers’ pass rush, especially off the edge, showed exactly why this could end up being one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.

The pass-rushing tandem of Watt and Alex Highsmith showed out, with Highsmith joining Watt with two sacks of his own. When both of those guys are getting after the quarterback as they did on Sunday, it’s going to be tough for opposing offensive lines to slow them down.

The early signs of this Patrick Graham defense are definitely encouraging, but it’s also important to remember that this performance came against a Falcons offense that was playing its third-string quarterback. Still, you couldn’t have asked for much more from the Steelers’ defensive front in Week 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren carried 10 times for 46 yards and caught five of six targets for 27 yards in a Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

SOURCE: ESPN.com

Warren split reps with RB Rico Dowdle, who recorded 10 touches against the Falcons. It’s worth watching the snap counts between the two as the season progresses. The one who takes control could be a solid RB2 option. If they continue sharing time, however, a flex spot could be the best either could garner. Warren, who had the better day against Atlanta, does have an advantage with his receiving skills.

Matthew Boyd, LHP vs. Bubba Chandler, RHP

Matthew Boyd had a bit of a rough patch in August, but has thrown well in two September starts, both of which were against the Brewers. The numbers aren’t great for September — 4.38 ERA, 1.216 WHIP — but both of those starts include runs charged to him after he left the game.

He faced the Pirates July 24 at PNC Park and allowed one run in seven innings. Do that again, Matthew.

Bubba Chandler has had an up-and-down year in his first full MLB season.

He’s been much better in the second half. First half: 19 games (18 starts), 4.77 ERA, 1.452 WHIP. Since the All-Star break: nine starts, 3.21 ERA, 1.112 WHIP. Much of the improvement has been cutting way down on walks. He had 55 walks in 94.1 innings before the ASB. Since then, in 47.2 innings — just about half what he had before — he’s walked just 15.

His only start against the Cubs this year was May 27 at Wrigley Field. He allowed eight hits and four runs in five innings.

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You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

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Discuss amongst yourselves.