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Steelers PFF grades: Aaron Rodgers gets high marks for downfield looks

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons to open their 2026 campaign, handing Mike McCarthy a successful head coaching debut. J.

Watt set the tone for the defense by capping a dominant outing with a fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown, countering questions about his durability following a quiet, injury-affected 2025 season. Pass-rushing partner Alex Highsmith also wreaked havoc alongside Watt, anchoring a defensive unit that carried the team while the ground attack and offensive line struggled to establish consistency.

Offensively, the game marked the reunion of McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who drew favorable Pro Football Focus evaluation marks for his deep passing despite an otherwise sluggish offensive showing. While McCarthy received a C+ mark from evaluators for his initial sideline performance in Pittsburgh, the veteran quarterback provided enough vertical opportunities to guide the team past an injury-depleted Falcons squad.