# Steelers win but offense still sputters in Week 1

> Pittsburgh beat Atlanta 20-13, but Mike McCarthy's offense left plenty of yards on the field.
- Title: Steelers win but offense still sputters in Week 1 | Shortify
- Summary: Pittsburgh beat Atlanta 20-13, but Mike McCarthy's offense left plenty of yards on the field. The Steelers won their opener, but their offense managed just…
- Keywords: pittsburgh steelers, mike mccarthy, aaron rodgers, atlanta falcons, dk metcalf, roman wilson, jaylen warren, rico dowdle, pat freiermuth, nfl, week 1, 2026 season
- Source: Pittsburgh Steelers On SI — https://si.com/nfl/steelers/onsi/pittsburgh-steelers-still-huge-concern-entering-week-2
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:00:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: pittsburgh steelers, mike mccarthy, aaron rodgers, atlanta falcons, dk metcalf, roman wilson, jaylen warren, rico dowdle, pat freiermuth, nfl, week 1, 2026 season
## Steelers escape with narrow win
Pittsburgh defeated Atlanta 20-13 in Week 1. The victory gave new head coach Mike McCarthy his first win with his hometown franchise.
## Offense looked disjointed despite victory
The Steelers are 1-0, but their offensive performance was underwhelming. They showed signs of life but failed to execute on key plays.
## Missed opportunities defined the game
McCarthy's offense attacked the middle of the field and took big swings. The results, however, were not encouraging.
## Metcalf targeted but couldn't connect
Superstar receiver DK Metcalf was targeted 10 times but only caught four passes. The passing game struggled to find rhythm.
## Wilson's big day ruined by drops
Roman Wilson had multiple chances on deep balls. A defensive pass interference and a dropped pass in the endzone killed what could have been a statement game.
## Run game was completely nonexistent
Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle rushed 18 times for just 61 yards. Aaron Rodgers' three scrambles added negative three yards, leaving Pittsburgh with 58 total rushing yards.
## Overall numbers were unimpressive
The Steelers ran 64 plays for just 15 first downs and 264 total yards. They scored a single touchdown in the process.
## Rodgers still has elite arm talent
With Rodgers under center, it's clear he can still sling it. His velocity and accuracy remain excellent.
## McCarthy attacked the middle more
Rodgers attempted 40 passes, with 22 thrown between the numbers. That includes his lone touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth in the back of the endzone.
## Spray chart shows balanced approach
Rodgers spread the ball around the field without favoring one side or area. The offensive strategy is encouraging even if results weren't there.
## Receivers must catch catchable balls
Even with some penalties in coverage, Rodgers gave his receivers plenty of catchable passes that weren't hauled in. If they correct that, playmaking might emerge.
## Offense remains a major concern
Until the execution improves, the offense is a worrying area for Pittsburgh. Week 2 will be a tougher test on the road.
## Key takeaway

The Steelers won their opener, but their offense managed just 264 total yards and one touchdown, with dropped passes and a nonexistent run game threatening their 2026 season.