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Steelers vs Falcons: 5 keys to victory for Pittsburgh

curt popejoy
·2 min read
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Aug 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) lines up against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) lines up against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Gameday is almost here and we will finally get to see the Pittsburgh Steelers in action. The Steelers kick off the season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons and there is no time for Pittsburgh to start slow. The Falcons are a talented team that finally got themselves a franchise quarterback to go with their elite running back.

If the Steelers want to kick off the season in a winning way, they have to continue to tradition under head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers are 4-0 against the Falcons under Tomlin and are 15-2-1 lifetime in the rivalry.

Here are our keys to victory for Pittsburgh.

Make Kirk Cousins uncomfortable

Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons held Cousins out of preseason so we have no idea what kind of quarterback he is after his Achilles tear. But Cousins wasn't exactly mobile to begin with so the Steelers focus has to be knocking him off his spot and making him uncomfortable in the pocket. Force him to move.

New guys, hold your ground

Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Two Steelers offensive linemen will be getting their first career starts on Sunday. Center Zach Fraizer and right guard Spencer Anderson are both in the starting lineup due to injuries and you can bet this is exactly where the Falcons will try to bring pressure.

Win on possession downs

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 16: Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 16: Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tomlin preaches this over and over but it is really true. If you lose on possession downs on either side of the ball, you can't win. Converting third downs on offense and stopping Atlanta on third down is incredibly important this week.

Arthur Smith on the spot

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 17: Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines in the first quarter during the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 17: Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines in the first quarter during the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Steelers OC Arthur Smith downplayed his return to Atlanta but it's a bigger deal than he wants to admit publicly. Smith is going in against his old team and they know what he likes to do. Will Smith be able to fool his old defense?

Minimize mistakes

Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks onto the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks onto the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Play clean football. Limit penalties and turnovers, sloppy and missed assignments and finish plays on both sides of the football. Missing the little details is what has derailed the Steelers in recent years and there doesn't seem to be an easy answer of how to fix it.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers vs Falcons: 5 keys to victory for Pittsburgh