The Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons are set to collide this Sunday, and the numbers suggest a rough night for the home team. New head coach Mike McCarthy is preparing his squad, but the roster holes in Atlanta are too big to ignore. Three clear factors point toward a Steelers victory in this opening week clash.
Edge Rushers Missing in Action
Atlanta’s defense is missing its two best pass rushers before the first snap even falls. Jalon Walker will miss the entire season after tearing his ACL, leaving a massive gap on the line. James Pearce Jr. is also out, suspended for the first eight games of the year. Steelers Wire notes that any squad without its starting edge rush tandem is already at a disadvantage.
The Steelers have a strong pass rush of their own, and these absences give them a clear path to pressure the quarterback. Without these two, the Falcons cannot generate the chaos they need to disrupt the game plan.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Tua Tagovailoa
The quarterback mismatch is the biggest story of the day. Aaron Rodgers will be 42 years old, yet he still holds a massive advantage over the Falcons’ starter. Tua Tagovailoa was named the starter for Week 1, but he faces a steep climb to prove he is elite again. Tagovailoa called his new role a “blessing” and said it was “very refreshing,” per reports. My focus stays on preparation, execution, performance, and playing well, as those are the only things within my power.
While Tagovailoa tries to find his rhythm, Rodgers brings years of experience to a field where he has dominated before. The Falcons also have Michael Penix Jr. on the bench, but he will be inactive, and Cooper Rush is the backup. This leaves the team with a thin margin for error against a veteran who knows how to win.
Health Finally Favors Pittsburgh
Injuries have plagued the Steelers for months, but that trend has finally reversed. The team is healthy at last, with only Joey Porter Jr. dealing with a minor back issue. Even Porter’s situation might be more about contract talks than a real physical problem, according to Steelers Wire. This stands in sharp contrast to the Falcons, who are cutting players to clear the roster for the opener.
The team released cornerback Darren Hall and running back Cash Jones just before the game. While the coaching staff’s decisions indicate a desired look for Sunday, they also reveal insufficient depth. The Steelers can field their best lineup, while Atlanta is still trying to figure out who fits the scheme. When one team is ready to play and the other is still trimming the roster, the result is usually a blowout.
The Steelers have the health, the edge rush, and the veteran quarterback to win this game. If the Falcons cannot protect their own quarterback or stop the run, they will struggle to keep up. This Week 1 matchup sets the tone for the rest of the season, and Pittsburgh looks ready to take control early.
