Steelers vs Falcons picks: Still Curtain panel is split down the middle

Week 1 of the NFL season is here and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be taking on the Atlanta Falcons. It seems like every expert out there has this game being a potential toss-up. No matter who they predict to win this game, most have this contest coming down to the wire. Unless a team surprises everyone, expect this to be a close battle to the very end.

Neither team has overwhelming positives going in their direction when you look at the matchups. The Steelers have a better defense, but the Falcons do edge them out on the offensive side of the ball. With new coaches and players on each side of the ball, this one could be a sloppy start for both teams. Both teams want to start their season with a win, but it is going to take smart quarterback play and a balanced attack for a team to get out of the stadium with a victory.

The stars of the show heading into this game will be the quarterback matchup between Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins. Both quarterbacks are getting older and looking to rebound on new teams for a variety of reasons. Wilson has shown a slump in his game recently and needs to prove he remains a starting quarterback. Cousins is coming off of a big injury and is looking to prove the doubters wrong.

Still Curtain experts panel have mixed opinions on Steelers vs Falcons

"In what will be a homecoming, of sorts, for Arthur Smith, the Steelers begin the 2024 campaign with a road game against the Atlanta Falcons. In what will prove to be a long "campaign" for Steelers fans, the 2024 season opens with a resounding loss to the Falcons. The defense will keep it close until the fourth quarter, but the Falcons will ultimately prevail." - Eric C Hassel (Falcons 27-13)

"This game all comes down to QB play for both teams. Is Cousins healed and ready to go? Is Wilson an actual solution for this offense? While the Steelers have a lot of bigger questions to answer, I think they do enough to win in week one." - Andrew Falce (Steelers 24-20)

"The Steelers start their 2024 season on the road against the new-look Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons had quite the offseason, adding QB Kirk Cousins and letting go of head coach Arthur Smith and QB Desmond Ridder. The Steelers now employ Smith as their offensive coordinator, making this a bit of a revenge game for him. Ultimately the Steelers play well but fall short on a last-minute drive by Cousins." - Shayne Kubas (Falcons 24-21)

"Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers offense start off on the right foot. Defense steps up big escorting the Yinzers to a win." - Loyal Ricks Jr. (Steelers 21-10)

"Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins will face off in their debuts with their new teams. These quarterbacks will need to develop chemistry with their teammates in a hurry, but I'm giving the upper hand to Cousins, who has been the better QB over the past three years. Pittsburgh's defense will do enough to keep it close, but I have the Falcons taking this one at home." - Tommy Jaggi (Falcons 21-17)

"I think both offenses will take a little while to get into a rhythm and both defenses will be buzzing. I just think the Steelers will have success on the ground and chew up the time of possession to keep the ball away from Kirk Cousins." - Blaze (Steelers 23-20)

"The Steelers need a strong start with a brutal late schedule. Atlanta gives them the opportunity, plus OC Arthur Smith wants to give it back to ATL. Far from smooth, but Pittsburgh gets it done." - Jacob Harrison (Steelers 17-10)

Final prediction has the Steelers sputtering against the Falcons in Week 1

Score prediction: Falcons 23, Steelers 17

So many question marks for both teams heading into Week 1 of competition has our experts panel nearly split down the middle about who could become victorious. The Steelers need to have a strong day on the ground if they want to produce any semblance of success on offense. There are plenty of issues for both teams that will need to be addressed if someone wants to emerge with a win.

The two quarterbacks of Wilson and Cousins remain the X-factors here. If Cousins can return to form, then Atlanta will cause plenty of issues for the Steelers. On the flip side, if the Steeler's offense can get strong performances from their offensive line and running backs, then Wilson will have an easier day at the office. Whichever offense has a more productive day will give their team the edge.

Don't discount the effect that the defense of the black and gold can have on this game. They have plenty of impact players who could change the dynamic of this one. It is just hard to look past how Cousins played before his injury last year. He should be able to knock off the rust early and push the Falcons to a win. Wilson and company will play decent, but that won't be enough for the Steelers.