Predicting the Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 Record, Game by Game

The Falcons are 2-15-1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They haven’t beaten them since 2006 and are currently on a four-game losing streak against them. However, this Week 1 matchup against them should turn that around.

First, the game will be in Atlanta. Steelers fans are known for traveling and crowding stadiums, but playing them in Pittsburgh is a whole different story. Second, they will have a new offensive coordinator, one the Falcons know very well: Arthur Smith. He is an average playmaker at best, and this will be his first regular-season game with the Steelers. There will be setbacks and struggles, not to mention the Steelers’ lack of offensive power.

Najee Harris is a bowling ball running back who uses his strength to beat defenses instead of his speed and quickness. Atlanta will have the return of Grady Jarrett, their big man in the middle, and with him on the field last year, the Falcons had one of the best run defenses in the NFL.

The Steelers have a formidable receiver in George Pickens, but otherwise their receiving core is nothing to be afraid of. Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Quez Watkins and Roman Wilson don’t scare defenses.

Jaylen Warren is great out of the backfield and Pat Freiermuth is a good TE, but the Falcons have a good linebacking core to follow Warren and Bates should be able to handle Freiermuth.

On defense, they have a great cornerback in Joey Porter Jr., but not much else. Also, Cameron Sutton will be suspended for the Week 1 game. Darnell Mooney will have a field day against whoever he matches up against (probably Donte Jackson who isn’t very good) and Bijan is a poor fit in their poor LB core. Patrick Queen was solid in Baltimore but nothing special, and he’s not that good of a tackler. TJ Watt will be facing Chris Lindstrom, who was PFF’s highest-graded guard in 2022 and 2023.

Minkah will have his work cut out for him with Kyle Pitts, who will be healthy for the first time since his rookie season. Give me the Falcons winning this game 27-17.