Steelers start new era with familiar stakes

Up first: The Steelers kick off the season at 1pm Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure.

• The team has a new head coach, Pittsburgh-native Mike McCarthy, and a few new additions to the roster.

Between the lines: A lot like last season, this feels like the Steelers pushing their chips in for a slim shot at the Super Bowl.

• Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said this will be his last NFL season.
• New wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Rico Dowdle hope to bolster the offense.
• McCarthy has the pedigree, having won a Super Bowl in 2011 while coaching the Green Bay Packers against the Steelers.

Yes, but: The defense was the team's weakness last year (ranking in the bottom quarter of the league), and it didn't really get better in the off season.

Flashback: The Houston Texans defeated the Steelers 30-6 in the first round of last season's playoffs, continuing the Black and Gold's 10-year streak of failing to win a playoff game.

The intrigue: Tomlin is now in the NBC Sports broadcasting booth, but he told the "Glass Half Full" podcast he probably will keep rooting for the Steelers.

• "Certainly, I respect the Black and Gold, but it's beyond that. It's those people. … I might have a job to do, but I will always root for those people."

Same, Mike — same.