The Pittsburgh Steelers have one more preseason game set for Thursday night in Buffalo. However, that doesn’t mean fans aren’t already looking ahead to Week 1 of the regular season. The Steelers will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 for the second time in the last three seasons. This time, they will host Atlanta, just as they did 16 years ago.
Times have changed since then. Both teams now have new head coaches. While the Steelers appear to have their quarterback situation figured out, the Falcons don’t. In fact, Atlanta may not know who its starter is until well into Week 1 game preparation.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Falcons don’t have a clear victor in the quarterback battle. The competition was expected to come down to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. However, Penix is just now being cleared for full play, while Tagovailoa has been less than stellar. He has underwhelmed enough that Atlanta isn’t sure it can hand him the job based on his preseason and training camp performance.
“[Tua’s poor performance is] not just in the preseason game, but it sounds like practice as well … [it’s] Michael Penix’s job for the taking.” Rapoport said on The Insiders.
Steelers won’t have many excuses for Week 1
The quarterback uncertainty has become a notable factor for the Falcons heading into their trip to Pittsburgh. Atlanta also won’t have its top two EDGE rushers, with James Pearce Jr. suspended and Jalon Walker lost for the season with an injury.
That should give the Steelers some advantages, but they can’t afford to underestimate Atlanta. The Falcons still have elite offensive weapons in Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts, while their secondary could present a difficult challenge for Pittsburgh’s passing game.
Steelers need to take every opportunity they can get early in the season
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Steelers face a challenging opening stretch, making a Week 1 victory even more important. After hosting Atlanta, Pittsburgh travels to New England to face the Patriots before taking on the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals. Then comes a Thursday night trip to Cleveland where the Steelers have historically struggled in that prime time slot.
Pittsburgh can’t afford to give away a winnable game against Atlanta. If the Steelers want to build momentum toward a playoff push, taking care of business at home in Week 1 is a must.
