The Three-Point Stance is back!! It’s week one of the 2024 National Football League season and we’ve got everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons.
What: Pittsburgh Steelers 0-0 at Atlanta Falcons 0-0
Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium Atlanta, Georgia
When: Sunday September 8th, 2024 1pmET
Weather: It’s under a roof.
Wagering Information: Falcons -3.5 O/U 42 (I like the UNDER)
Last Week: It’s week one!
TV: FOX Joe Davis (play-by-play), Greg Olsen (analysis), Pam Oliver (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area: A decent portion of the country will get this one.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVERob King (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis)
Max Starks (field reporter) NOTE: This is the first game since the retirement of Bill Hillgrove.
ESPN Radio: Steve Levy (play-by-play), Harry Douglas (analysis), TBD (field reporter)
Head Official: Brad Rogers. He is a college professor who attended Lubbock Christian. He is in his sixth season as a head official. The last time he oversaw a Steelers’ game was their 16-10 win over the Bengals in Cincinnati in Week 12 of last year. 10 accepted penalties were called that day with five for each team.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) – Questionable, No. 10 WR Roman Wilson (Ankle) – Out, No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) – Out, No. 91 DT Logan Lee (Calf) – Out ATL: No. 33 CB Antonio Hamilton (Groin) – Out
Injury Notes: Wilson’s calf is likely going to be problematic for some time and the Steelers knew this. That said, I don’t believe they thought it would create the likely scenario where he’d be out for this game. He will be a game time decision but most feel Justin Fields will get the nod.
2023 Final NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 28th ATL 26th Passing Offense: PIT 25th ATL 22nd Rushing Offense: PIT 13th ATL 9th
Total Defense: PIT 6th ATL 18th Passing Defense: PIT 17th ATL 8th Rushing Defense: PIT 19th ATL 20th
AFC North Rankings: Cincinnati 0-0, Cleveland 0-0, Pittsburgh 0-0, Baltimore 0-1
This Week in the AFC North: Kansas City 27 Baltimore 20 (THU), New England at Cincinnati 1pm, Dallas at Cleveland 425pm
What You Need to Know: The Steelers are 47-39-5 in season opening games… They are 16-20-2 when opening on the road… They met Atlanta in one season opener winning 15-9 in overtime in 2010… Pittsburgh has won three of its last four season opening games… For the ninth time in ten years the Steelers open the season on the road… The Steelers are 8-2 all-time in Atlanta… Pittsburgh is 1-0 all-time in Mercedes-Benz Stadium and they are 40-33 all-time in regular season dome games.
Tomlin Time: Tomlin is 173-100-2 all-time and is 4-0 against the Falcons in his career… He is 98-61-2 all-time in one score games… He is also 46-24-1 against teams from the NFC.
Atlanta Falcons Names to Know: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Drake London,TE Kyle Pitts, S Jessie Bates III, LB Matthew Judon, RB Bijan Robinson, K Youngkoe Koo, RB Tyler Allgeier, S Justin Simmons, DT Grady Jarrett, DT Eddie Goldman
What’s at Stake: To put it bluntly, a positive start to the season.
All-Time Series: The Steelers lead 15-2-1
Last Meeting: December 2022 in Atlanta. Steelers 19 Falcons 16
Postseason History: N/A
Steelers Game Highs vs ATL: PASSING: 473 yards Tommy Maddox 11/10/2002 RUSHING: 141 yards Franco Harris 10/28/1974 RECEIVING: 253 yards Plaxico Burress 11/10/2002 Sacks: 3.0 T.J. Watt 10/07/2018 Interceptions:2 Larry Griffin 10/04/1987 and Rod Woodson 09/27/1993
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Find Cohesion. Regardless of who is starting on this offensive line Sunday, the unit has to come together in both pass protection and in the running game. I am not naive; this is week one and there are two rookies starting. That said, mistakes must be limited. The Falcons aren’t going to scare anyone defensively but this is still the NFL where any team can whip you on any given day. In recent seasons we’ve seen Pat Meyer’s group start slow. They absolutely cannot afford this in 2024 with such a daunting second half schedule. Know who you’re blocking and then block’em!
2. Impact Plays on D. I suspect the offense is once again going to take its’ sweet time in terms of finding its footing. That means the defense has to come up with some meaningful plays that give the offense short fields or even result in turnovers and/or scores. To take it further, even just forcing the Falcons into consistent long-yardage situations can make a difference in terms of pass rush and potential turnovers. And it doesn’t matter who it is, just make plays that lead to points.
3. By George. Arthur Smith will use the tight ends and the running game – no doubt – but he needs to get George Pickens involved early. The first reason is to simply keep him happy and engaged. The second reason is to get him the ball before Atlanta starts rolling coverage towards him consistently and the third reason is the most important. He’s really your team’s only ‘take it or the house’ guy. The Steelers have to get more of those opportunities for him and it has to start early.
***If Justin Fields Starts… First and foremost Arthur Smith will need to rely on the run even more. Keeping Fields in manageable situations is the best way to keep pressure off him to ‘force’ things. He will take bad sacks and he will turn the ball over but he can also make electric plays. It’s up to Smith to give him more of the latter.
The ‘X’ Factor: Each week I will select a player from each team who I believe will need to play above and beyond in order for his team to win.
X-Factor Steelers: Van Jefferson. Too easy right? Jefferson has to alleviate fears that fans have about his ability to be a viable option to George Pickens.
X-Factor Falcons: Tyler Allgeier. For whatever reason, guys like Allgeier seem to find ways to be a major pain in the Steelers’ collective rear ends. While everyone focuses on the top back, in this case Bijan Robinson, it’s the other guy who rips the defense.
Prediction: Atlanta is a huge favorite within the media to win the NFC South this year. New coach, new QB, improved defense…. And on it goes. I do admit, there’s a part of me that likes the Falcons in this game. Kirk Cousins is a solid NFL QB and I don’t see the current coaching staff ignoring Bijan Robinson and Drake London the way our current offensive coordinator did. That said, I think the Steelers win a typical Mike Tomlin ‘Rock fight.’ Chris Boswell will hit some field goals and the offense will do just enough to support a solid effort from the defense.
Steelers 19 Falcons 17
Season Prediction Record: 0-0
