Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024

Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta
Logo Pittsburgh Steelers
VS
Logo Atlanta Falcons
43
OPENER
-3
43o -108
CURRENT
-4 -110
+170
MONEYLINE
-200
18
SCORE
10

Preview and Prediction

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. As the Atlanta Falcons prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular-season opener on Sunday, all eyes will be on the veteran quarterbacks who are eager to make a statement with their new teams.

For Atlanta, the focus will be on their revamped offense, led by 36-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins. After signing a four-year, $180 million contract in March, Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings to join the Falcons.

The four-time Pro Bowler had a strong season with the Vikings in 2023, throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns in just eight games before tearing his Achilles. Now, Cousins will be replacing Desmond Ridder as the Falcons' starting quarterback.

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With the addition of Cousins and other key players in the offseason, the Falcons are being considered as contenders in the NFC South. They are hoping to have their first winning season and make a postseason appearance since 2017.

"I am well aware of the current perception that our offense is going to be really great," Cousins said. "We have all these talented players, but that is just perception. It is our job to turn that perception into reality. Until we step onto the field and prove it, I do not feel any assurance about it."

Sunday marks the beginning of a new era for the Falcons, with Raheem Morris taking over as head coach in January. Morris previously served as the team's interim coach for the final 11 games of the 2020 season, going 4-7. He also had a stint as head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011, with a record of 17-31.

Morris, who is now 48 years old, was hired after spending three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. Despite taking on the role of head coach for the first time since the end of the 2020 season, Morris remains calm and focused, knowing what is at stake in their season opener.

"My nerves usually hit me right before the national anthem," Morris admitted. "I do not know if it is the emotion of the anthem or something else, but I feel a sense of calmness and readiness to play. With all the preparation we have done, I have confidence in our process and how we will approach the game."

Morris will be facing off against his former colleague, Mike Tomlin, who is now the head coach of the Steelers. The two worked together as defensive assistants for the Buccaneers from 2002-2005 and have remained friends.

Tomlin and the Steelers will be showcasing a new-look offense under the guidance of former Falcons coach Arthur Smith and a new quarterback, Russell Wilson. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, was released by the Denver Broncos and named the starter for the Steelers last week. He beat out Justin Fields, who was acquired from the Chicago Bears.

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"I am extremely excited to be here," Wilson said. "My main focus is to help the team win. The best part is the hard work we have put in from OTA's to training camp. We have a great season ahead of us."

After a successful career with the Seahawks, Wilson spent two tumultuous seasons with the Broncos, where he was benched for the last two weeks of the 2023 season in order for the team to have more financial flexibility. He then signed a one-year deal with the Steelers for the veteran's minimum.

The all-time series between the Falcons and Steelers has been largely one-sided, with Pittsburgh holding a 15-2-1 advantage. The Falcons' last victory over the Steelers was on October 22, 2006.

In Wednesday's injury report, Morris noted that linebacker Nate Landman (quad) and tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) were both limited in practice. However, Morris expressed no concern about Pitts' availability for the season opener.

The Steelers will be without starting left guard Isaac Seumalo for their season opener, as he suffered a pectoral injury during a practice on August 28. Center Nate Herbig will also miss the season due to a torn rotator cuff.

Jack Batten,

PREDICTION
Pittsburgh Steelers
20
24
Atlanta Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons Recap SEP 8TH 2024

ATLANTA -- Chris Boswell made all six of his field goal attempts, including three longer than 50 yards, to guide the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers to an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the season opener on Sunday.

In his team debut, Justin Fields completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards for Pittsburgh, adding 57 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Najee Harris ran for a team-high 70 yards, while George Pickens caught six balls for 85 yards as the Steelers improved to 16-2-1 all-time vs Atlanta.

Also making his first start with his new team, Kirk Cousins was 16-for-26 for 155 yards, throwing for one touchdown and two interceptions. Bijan Robinson ran for 68 yards for the Falcons.

In a defensive battle, Pittsburgh totaled 270 yards to Atlanta's 226.

The Falcons capped off a 12-play, 64-yard opening drive with Younghoe Koo's 24-yard field goal, giving Atlanta a 3-0 lead at the 9:06 mark. After converting on a pair of third-down plays, Pittsburgh tied the game on Boswell's 57-yard field goal with 4:37 remaining in the first.

Two plays into the ensuing Falcons drive, Cousins was picked off by DeShon Elliott at the Steelers' 49-yard line. Pittsburgh settled for Boswell's 51-yard field goal with 12:54 left in the second quarter.

After the teams traded punts, Cousins led a 90-yard drive that resulted in a 12-yard passing touchdown to Kyle Pitts, giving the Falcons a 10-6 lead with 32 seconds left in the first half.

On the final possession of the half, Fields found Pickens for 33 yards to the Atlanta 25-yard line, setting up Boswell's 44-yard field goal as time expired.

After forcing a Pittsburgh punt on the second half's opening drive, a fumble in the Falcons' backfield was recovered by T.J. Watt, setting up the Steelers on their own 38-yard line with 10:29 to go in the third. A nine-play, 24-yard drive was then stamped with Boswell's fourth field goal, a 56-yarder that gave Pittsburgh a 12-10 advantage at the 7:45 mark.

Following an Atlanta punt, Fields' 40-yard pass to Pickens pushed Pittsburgh into Atlanta territory, but the Steelers had to settle for Boswell's 40-yard field goal, extending the lead to 15-10 with 25 seconds left in the third.

Atlanta's ensuing drive was stymied, and it punted for a second straight possession. Starting on their own 22-yard line, the Steelers marched down to the Falcons' 6-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-1, Fields' quarterback sneak was stopped for no gain, giving the ball back to the Atlanta offense with 7:03 left in the fourth.

After another Atlanta punt, Grady Jarrett and Matthew Judon combined to sack Fields on third-and-13, forcing a punt.

Taking over on their own 40 with 3:19 left, Robinson ran for 13 yards on first down, but Donte Jackson picked off Cousins on the next play and returned it to the Atlanta 18 with 2:47 remaining.

Boswell's 25-yarder punctuated his perfect day with 31 seconds left.

--Jack Batten,