The Pittsburgh Steelers won their opening game of the 2026 NFL season 20-13 over the Atlanta Falcons on September 13 in an effort that had fans, including analyst Bill Simmons, feeling uneasy. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers called the win “special,” but Simmons and others are viewing the Steelers as ordinary heading into Week 2 against the New England Patriots.

Analyst Skip Bayless called Rodgers a “deflecting diva,” while Simmons had another unflattering word to describe the Steelers and their quarterback's opening game performance.

“Rodgers was 5.5 yards per attempt, rushing attack 21 for 58; I would not call it explosive,” Simmons said. “I don't wanna say too much because the Patriots play them next week, but hard to overstate how punchless they looked.

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“And Rodgers did not want to get hit, ever. All his decisions were based around, ‘I don't wanna be hit once in this game.'”

Rodgers completed two or more passes to seven different players, with Michael Pittman Jr. leading the team with three receptions for 58 yards. Starting running back Jaylen Warren's 10 rushes for 46 yards didn't exactly thrill the Steelers' home crowd, but they were enough to help Pittsburgh to grind out a much-needed opening-game win during which they compiled less than 300 yards of total offense (264).

McCarthy finished 7-10 with the Cowboys last season after three straight 12-win seasons in the years prior and is now tasked with helping Pittsburgh win its first playoff game since January 15, 2017, which came on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. Simmons is right to question the Steelers after several disappointing seasons, but Rodgers and his team deserve credit for their gritty play as distractions, including swirling Joey Porter Jr. trade rumors . September 20's game at New England will offer a better litmus test, but for now, Pittsburgh is 1-0 and moving on to bigger challenges.