No Week 1 sport may be mentioned to be a really must-win contest, particularly not an out-of-conference one. What this sport is, nevertheless, is a compelling early take a look at for these Atlanta Falcons, and one the place a victory would give them an early leg up on the NFC South and a banked win earlier than they play arguably their hardest stretch of the season.
Will the Falcons win? Our employees weighed in earlier than right this moment’s sport.
Falcons 24 – Steelers 17
The Steelers are by no means a simple out, and the Falcons have been significantly unhealthy at defeating them since their inception. Atlanta has received simply two video games all-time towards Pittsburgh, however I believe they get their third on Sunday. The vibes round that group are usually not good popping out the preseason, with the Steelers selecting Russell Wilson as their starter. Russ continues to be good at avoiding turnovers, however he’s now not a dynamic presence at quarterback and has turn into extraordinarily sack-prone over the previous two seasons. With the Steelers already reeling from a number of OL accidents (and a poor unit to start with), there’s a large alternative for Atlanta’s new-look protection to wreak havoc.
Atlanta’s offense ought to be considerably improved from top-to-bottom with Kirk Cousins below middle, all 5 starters on the offensive line returning, and hopefully higher playcalling from rookie OC Zac Robinson. All that being mentioned, the Steelers protection continues to be superb—significantly within the front-seven. I’m anticipating a reasonably conservative gameplan from Atlanta concentrating on Pittsburgh’s weak spot within the slot and in linebacker protection with loads of short-to-intermediate passes to Kyle Pitts and Ray-Ray McCloud. If Atlanta can restrict errors, grind out some lengthy drives and preserve the strain on Pittsburgh to maintain up on the scoreboard, the Falcons can come out of Week 1 with a hard-fought victory. —Kevin Knight
Falcons 20 – Steelers 14
A detailed sport outlined by large moments for each defenses and a small handful of spotlight reel performs for every offense, with the superior expertise Atlanta can deliver to bear on that facet of the ball making the distinction.
Nearly as good as Mike Tomlin is as a coach and as potent and opportunistic as this Steelers protection is, there are weaknesses the Falcons can assault, from an undrafted rookie nickel cornerback to a Steelers linebacker corps that isn’t fairly as much as their regular requirements. On the opposite facet of the ledger, the Falcons deliver a wholesome and improved protection to bear on an offense that doesn’t precisely have an inspiring quantity of expertise available, and can doubtless require time for Arthur Smith to coax improved efficiency out of, assuming he can achieve this.
This appears like a terrific Week 1 take a look at for either side of the ball. If the protection is nearly as good because it seems to be on paper, they ought to have the ability to maintain the Steelers below 20 factors with out breaking a lot of a sweat. If the offense is nearly as good because it seems to be, they need to be capable to give you the required scoring drives to drag off a victory. I’d wish to see a blowout to kick issues of, however given the historical past between these two groups and the variety of unknowns for Atlanta, I’ll simply take the win. —Dave Choate
Falcons 20 – Steelers 17
You’re going to get a bodily soccer sport everytime you face a group just like the Steelers. The concept that the Falcons, of all groups, given their historical past, may win such a matchup is telling about the place expectations are getting into 2024 below new head coach Raheem Morris. The truth was that these have been the sorts of video games that the Arthur Smith-led Falcons have been constructed to win however by no means constantly did throughout his three-year tenure. Now, the expectations are that Morris will end what Smith began.
The massive addition of Judon to the line of defense, alongside Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata ought to wreak havoc on a younger Steelers offensive line that might be lacking their beginning left guard Isaac Seumalo. In that case, that spells hassle for Smith’s propensity to lean on the run sport as a play-caller.
The Falcons will face their very own challenges towards a bodily Steelers defensive entrance, headlined by T.J. Watt, however they need to have average success shifting the ball. Their largest impediment might be ending within the purple zone as they’ll face one of many NFL’s constantly stingiest red-zone defenses. I believe they’ll do sufficient to get the job carried out when all is claimed and carried out and begin this Morris Period off proper. —Aaron Freeman
Falcons 20 – Steelers 10
A two-score win could seem to be I’m discounting how formidable this Steelers opponent might be, however that’s removed from the case. This sport will come right down to who performs the cleanest; each defenses will problem these offenses and be stingy with factors.
The Steelers should overcome damage and inexperience throughout their whole offensive line, a press release that feels like music to Jarrett, Onyemate, and firm’s ears. Russell Willson, Jaylen Warren, and Najee Harriss mixed for 16 fumbles in 2023, and in a sport like this one, a single turnover may doubtless be the distinction maker. Nevertheless, the Steelers’ protection will current its personal challenges. Cam Heyward and Keanu Benton will look to make life tough for the trio of Bergeron, Dalman, and Lindstrom. TJ Watt and his relentless effort on the sting will doubtless be the largest problem of the day. Nonetheless, Atlanta can mitigate that by successfully operating the soccer and getting it out of Kirks’s fingers as shortly as doable.
The Steelers offense is coping with too many unknowns and accidents for me to choose them to win. Atlanta received’t seem like a well-oiled machine but, however it’s extra doubtless the Steelers beat themselves on this matchup. The Falcons will win with the assistance of two turnovers, which they convert into factors. —Tre’Shon Diaz