5 Steelers to watch against Falcons
The Pittsburgh Steelers will open the 2024 NFL regular season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons on September 8. The game will be a test for a Steelers team that went winless during the preseason. Here are four players and one coach to watch in this game.
Arthur Smith
As the new offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, Smith didn’t reveal anything too special in his play calling for the Steelers offense during the preseason. He certainly didn’t utilize the tight ends as much as many had expected.
Smith may have been limiting what he has in mind in exhibition play. That’d be a smart gamesmanship move if true. Steelers fans want to see a more explosive offense that can put points on the scoreboard, though, so it will be worth watching what the OC puts into play against his former Atlanta Falcons team.
Russell Wilson
The veteran quarterback reportedly has a good training camp, but his snap count during the preseason was extremely low. He also dealt with a calf issue. Is he ready for season play?
As a consummate professional, Wilson will have himself prepared but how he executes will be something fans will have their eyes on. Wilson has said he came to Pittsburgh to help win a Super Bowl; he’ll need to show he can win a game before anyone jumps into that train.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1831080477148446837?t=pWLmumKZtw09UBzuN_p-Tw&s=19
Cameron Heyward
Voted as a team captain for 2024 and recently re-signed (new contract) veteran Cam Heyward is the anchor of Pittsburgh’s defensive line. He’ll be tasked to guide the guys up front to stop running back Bijan Robinson of the Falcons from getting big blocks that spring him into the next level.
Heyward will also be working hard to allow pressure on Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins to be less impeded by teaming up with his teammates against Atlanta’s offensive front. Can he lead the Steelers to a win in the trenches defensively?
Patrick Queen
Having joined the Steelers during the off-season, it’s going to be a busy day for Queen as an interior linebacker. Not only will he be helping eliminate the Falcons run game, but he’ll be moving sideline to sideline making sure the Atlanta tight ends don’t pick the Pittsburgh defense apart.
Joey Porter, Jr.
The Falcons have the ability to get down field, and that means Porter will need to play a clean game in pass coverage. Cousins will definitely try to open the Atlanta offense up, so preventing big plays with be huge.
Porter will need to communicate with counterparts at corner and safety to make sure there aren’t breaks in coverage, too.
Dahn in Atlanta for Week 1‼️ pic.twitter.com/AxBO6pTQ94
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 4, 2024
