The NFL is set to drop the full 2026 schedule, and for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, it's not just about dates and times—it's about settling scores. Here are three revenge games that promise extra fire and intensity this season.
1. Danny Smith and Kenneth Gainwell Return to Pittsburgh
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roll into town, they'll bring two familiar faces with a chip on their shoulder. Danny Smith, the beloved former Steelers special teams coordinator, left Pittsburgh this offseason and took running back Kenneth Gainwell with him. Gainwell, who was voted the Steelers' 2025 MVP by his teammates, now suits up for the opposition. Expect emotions to run high as these former Steelers face the black and gold in a regular-season showdown that's been circled on calendars since the move.
2. Texans Seek Payback After Playoff Heartbreak
The Houston Texans delivered a brutal wild-card round beatdown on the Steelers last January, dashing Pittsburgh's playoff dreams in emphatic fashion. This season, the Steelers get their chance at redemption when they host the Texans at Acrisure Stadium. After that bitter loss, Pittsburgh will be hungry to prove they're the better team on their home turf. It's a classic revenge narrative: a team looking to reclaim its pride after a postseason humiliation.
3. Ravens Rivalry Gets Even Spicier
Speaking of playoff drama, the Steelers' Week 18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football last season didn't just end Baltimore's season—it may have cost head coach John Harbaugh his job. That win sparked a wave of change in Baltimore, and you can bet the Ravens haven't forgotten. The AFC North rivalry is already one of the fiercest in football, but with added animosity from that elimination game, these two teams will be ready to throw down with extra venom. Expect a physical, emotional battle when they meet again.
Whether it's former teammates, playoff payback, or divisional bad blood, the Steelers' 2026 schedule is loaded with must-watch revenge games. Gear up for a season of high stakes and high emotions.