The Pittsburgh Steelers will open their 2024 campaign on Sunday with a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers enter Sunday with some uncertainty, as starting quarterback Russell Wilson is coping with a calf injury That will make him a game-time decision. If he doesn’t start, Justin Fields will be named the center.
In Atlanta, the Falcons are expected to debut a new starting quarterback in Kirk Cousins, who signed a massive contract earlier in the offseason. It will also be the first game of the Raheem Morris era after he was hired as head coach in January.
Ahead of Sunday’s kickoff, we’re getting bold. Here are some bold predictions for the Steelers in Week 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Bold Predictions
Justin Fields is thriving and continuing to hold his position
It’s hard to imagine the Steelers playing Wilson in Week 1 with a full season still to play, so we expect Fields to start the season opener.
Wilson was long awaited to be the starter before the Steelers officially announced it, but we also knew he wasn’t guaranteed to keep the starting job after what he did for two years with the Denver Broncos.
This brings us to our bold prediction: Fields will flourish in his Steelers debut, and after leading Pittsburgh to a Week 1 victory, head coach Mike Tomlin will decide to stick with Fields for Week 2, even if Wilson is healthy enough to play.
Pat Freiermuth passes 100-year mark
Whoever starts at quarterback will have to rely more on Freiermuth with the team’s fragile options at receiver behind George Pickens. That will lead to the Steelers’ recently departed tight end sign a contract extensionachieving a 100-yard performance for only the second time in his career.
Defense keeps Falcons out of end zone
While the Steelers have plenty of question marks on offense, their defense isn’t in the same boat and should be one of the best in the NFL in 2024.
With Cousins making his debut for a new team against an elite defense, things were going to be tough for the Falcons, who failed to find the end zone in Week 1 and only scored via field goals.
