Game Overview ::
By PAPY324 >>
- This is expected to be a low-scoring game between two teams who want to run the ball.
- Both teams feature offensive lines ranked in the top 10 by PFF. The Falcons bring back all five starters, and the Steelers have invested a heap of draft picks up front the past two years.
- Both teams have new offensive coordinators. The Falcons brought in Zac Robinson, who is expected to install a scheme like that of the Rams. The Steelers brought in Arthur Smith, who is expected to run the damn ball.
- Najee Harris is cheap, but it’s hard to trust Smith to feature one RB.
- Bijan Robinson is priced as an elite option. He has upside, but it’s difficult to know how he’ll be used.
- Joey Porter Jr. was used in shadow coverage more than any corner in the league once he became a starter in Week 8 last season. He was lights out. There is a good chance he will chase Drake London.
- Kyle Pitts should be the most involved he has been in his career. His price is reasonable, and he has the best matchup on the Falcons’ offense.
How pittsburgh Will Try To Win ::
The Steelers finished a surprising 10-7 in 2023. They managed to be one of three teams who emerged from a loaded AFC North that also featured the 13-4 Ravens, 11-6 Browns, and 9-8 Bengals. It’s incredible that the AFC North included the No. 1 seed in the conference, three playoff teams, and four teams above .500. The division’s success was ridiculous, considering two of the teams (Browns/Bengals) played long stretches without their starting quarterbacks, and the Steelers used a horrific combination of Kenny Pickett/Mitch Trubisky/Mason Rudolph. At least Lamar Jackson won MVP.
The Steelers were understandably displeased with their QB room and made the rare move of dismissing all three. Pickett/Trubisky/Rudolph are gone and have been replaced by the ambiguously bad duo of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Even though Wilson looks washed late in his career, and Fields looks like he plays the wrong position, they are still an upgrade over what Pittsburgh trotted out last year.
The Steelers trio of terrible QBs wasn’t the only culprit behind last year’s inept offense. Matt “send me to” Canada finished his tenure as one of the worst offensive coordinators in history when he was let go midseason. It was the first time since 1941 that the Steelers made a mid-season coaching change. The Steelers decided they meant business this year, so they hired Arthur Smith. Smith is a simple man. He likes doughnuts, flip phones, Nintendo, and running the damn ball. Hey, the 90s were great, and Smith sees no reason to change anything. Last year, Smith’s Falcons hated passing. They placed dead last in pass rate over expectations (PROE), and second to last in pass rate (44%). Curiously, they also played fast (2nd in pace) which you wouldn’t normally associate with a team who wants to run all the time.
The Steelers’ roster is well set up for Smith’s old-school style. They’ve invested a ton of draft capital (RT Broderick Jones- first round/TE Darnell Washington- third round/LT Troy Fautanu- first round/C Zac Frazier- third round/RG Mason McCormick- fourth round) up front over the past two years. They also spent free-agent dollars on RG James Daniel and LG Isaac Seumalo. PFF ranks the Steelers line No. 9 overall, and with Smith’s history of getting the most out of his O-line talent, that might be conservative. They are a young but talented unit, with the upside to be one of the best in the league.
The Falcons were respectable against the run last season (No. 9 in yards per rush allowed), and struggled to generate a pass rush (18th in sack rate), but when has Smith ever cared about what the other team does well? Expect the Steelers to come out with a win-on-the-ground-and-defense mentality.
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