Steelers vs. Falcons picks, predictions Week 1: What analysts are saying

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons will kick off the 2024 season against one another at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, in a game that will see the quarterbacks of both squads making their respective debuts with a new team.

For the Falcons, Kirk Cousins gets the nod after signing a four-year, $180 million deal earlier this offseason. Cousins is also coming back from a season-ending Achilles injury he suffered in Week 8 last year.

Meanwhile, Russell Wilson will look to revive his career with the Steelers after two disappointing seasons in Denver, which led to the Broncos cutting the veteran signal-caller loose and the Steelers bringing him in for almost nothing.

Along with Cousins, the Falcons also have a new head coach in Raheem Morris, who is hoping to start his tenure off in Atlanta on the right foot. And, speaking of coaches, this is the first time new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is facing the Falcons, a team he was the head coach of from 2021-23.

Now, here's a look at how experts from different media outlets think this game between the Falcons and Steelers will go.

Steelers vs. Falcons picks, predictions Week 1

Sporting News

Vinnie Iyer: Steelers (20-17)

Arthur Smith gets to keep coaching in Atlanta for one more game as the new Steelers' offensive coordinator, and he will still feel at home because of a sea of Black and Gold taking over Atlanta. The Falcons are hoping to have a lot more passing pop without Smith, thanks to Kirk Cousins under center. Pittsburgh, however, will spoil the fun with its pass rush and ball-hawking secondary. Mike Tomlin's offense hasn't looked pretty in the preseason, but this is where the power rushing attack will be complementary enough to push the Steelers to victory.

Bill Bender: Steelers (26-21)

Buffalo traded Stefon Diggs in the offseason, and Josh Allen still has a rebuilt receiving corps with rookie Keon Coleman and veteran Curtis Samuel. The Bills were 8-2 S/U and 5-5 ATS at home last season, numbers that will be tested against Arizona. Will rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. score his first NFL touchdown? Kyler Murray is 17-14 on the road for his career, which is much better than his home split. Arizona was 2-7 S/U on the road last season. That is a tough trend to overcome.

ESPN

Matt Bowen: Steelers

Kimberley A. Martin: Falcons

Jason Reid: Steelers

Lindsey Thiry: Falcons

Seth Wickersham: Falcons

CBS Sports

Pete Prisco: Falcons (23-17)

This will be Russell Wilson vs. Kirk Cousins as both teams have new veteran quarterbacks. Wilson and the Steelers didn't look good in the preseason, but Cousins didn't play and is coming off a torn Achilles. The Steelers defense will be a tough matchup, but I think the Falcons will be able to turn over Wilson and get some short fields. Falcons win it at home.

John Breech: Falcons (20-17)

Analysts picking Falcons: 5

Analysts picking Steelers: 4