Steelers Edge Falcons 13-7 at Halftime: Rodgers, Boswell Steady in Sloppy First Half

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers lead the Atlanta Falcons 13-7 at halftime, but if you were expecting a crisp, mid-September masterpiece at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, think again. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, both teams traded blows with more grit than glamour, leaving plenty to clean up in the second half as the 2026 NFL season continues to take shape.

Boswell Boots Steelers Early, Robinson Answers

Pittsburgh opened the scoring with a methodical drive capped by Chris Boswell’s 43-yard field goal, giving the home crowd an early reason to roar. But Atlanta responded with a jolt of lightning: after a Jaylen Warren fumble, the Falcons capitalized when Bijan Robinson hauled in a 23-yard touchdown reception, flipping the script and taking a 7-3 lead. Robinson was the Falcons’ offensive engine in the first half, catching seven passes for 66 yards and a score while adding 14 rushing yards on seven carries. As highlighted on Vulius, his dual-threat ability kept Atlanta’s offense afloat when the ground game sputtered.

Rodgers Finds Freiermuth After Rush Miscue

Boswell tacked on a 28-yard field goal to pull Pittsburgh within one, and then the pendulum swung again. Cooper Rush, filling in for the injured Falcons starter, tossed an interception that set the Steelers up in prime position. Aaron Rodgers made Atlanta pay, threading a 6-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth to put Pittsburgh ahead 13-7. Rodgers finished the half 14-of-26 for 131 yards and a touchdown, showing flashes of vintage precision but also missing on a handful of deep shots. Rush, meanwhile, went 9-of-14 for 79 yards with a touchdown and that costly pick.

Botched 62-Yarder Leaves Points on the Board

The Steelers had a chance to extend their lead before the break with a 62-yard field goal attempt, but the play devolved into chaos. Holder Cameron Johnston fielded the snap, rolled left, and eventually threw the ball away, leaving points on the field. It was a microcosm of a first half defined by missed opportunities and uneven execution. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk notes that Pittsburgh’s red-zone efficiency and Atlanta’s turnover luck will be critical swing factors in the final two quarters.

Second-Half Storylines to Watch

Atlanta will receive the second-half kickoff, giving Robinson and Co. a chance to seize momentum immediately. For Pittsburgh, the priority is protecting the football and letting Rodgers operate with a lead. The Falcons’ defense, which stiffened after surrendering the early field goal, must generate pressure to disrupt Rodgers’ rhythm. With both teams searching for an identity in Week 2, the next 30 minutes could set the tone for their respective seasons.

Stay tuned to Vulius for live updates, postgame analysis, and exclusive merchandise drops celebrating every big play. Whether you’re a Steelers faithful or a Falcons die-hard, the action is just heating up.