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Can the Steelers bring home a Week 1 win? Pittsburgh’s three keys vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Pittsburgh Steelers will head to Atlanta on Sunday in hopes of claiming their first win of the season. The matchup is primed to be tough, with the Falcons looking like a much-improved team overall.
However, the Steelers still have some advantages they could exploit against the Falcons, who did not play their starters in the preseason. Here are the Steelers’ three keys to beating the Falcons:
1. Keep Grady Jarrett and Matt Judon in check
While the Falcons have a wonderful secondary with Jessie Bates, Justin Simmons, and A.J. Terrell, the Steelers will lose this one from the jump if they can not stop Grady Jarrett and Matt Judon from taking over the game up front. If you want, feel free to throw David Onyemata in here, too. The Steelers will have to keep Russell Wilson or Justin Fields upright to win this game. They need to give their wide receiver and run game a chance. Spencer Anderson is starting at left guard with rookie Zach Frazier at center. That matchup feels like one where Jarrett should dominate, but Anderson and the team feel up to the task.
“Well, he’s definitely a twitchy rusher,” Anderson said. “We know who he is and how great he is. But there, you focus on yourself and your technique. You play with good pad level and hand usage. You have to focus on yourself just as much.”
If the Steelers can run the ball between the tackles and force Atlanta’s linebackers to make plays, the Steelers might have a chance to ride Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in this game. That has to be the plan, but it all starts up front.
2. Beanie Bishop balls out and proves himself
The Steelers, defensively, have one glaring hole in this game. Yet, it is actually a hole, or is it just an unproven player? Slot cornerback Beanie Bishop played well in the summer but looked just okay against the Houston Texans in his first starting spot in the preseason.
The Steelers know the Falcons will have an X-crossed right towards No. 31. Until he proves he can stop guys like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Darnell Mooney, the Falcons will go right to them in the slot.
“You never know. I just look at it like this. Like most things, we always prepare our guys so that if you’re a young guy out there, you just have to be ready. You will be tested and if you, if you handle the test, then they’ll go away from you. But if you don’t handle the test, you can expect it to keep coming,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said about Bishop.
The Falcons will try to attack him, but Bishop will not shy away from the challenge that the Falcons will likely bring him. If he can back up the challenge and show what he is made of, the Steelers can slow down this talented Falcons offense.
3. The ‘other eligibles’ step up
The Pittsburgh Steelers have two standouts in the passing game that will stick out in George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth. Yet, with Terrell, Bates, and Simmons in the secondary, they can erase the two of them through coverages. The Steelers might have to win their other matchups.
As stated above, the other obvious outlet is the running game. Warren and Harris figure to be the two big time players featured. However, the Steelers might need one big play from someone else. That could be Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, or someone else. The Steelers do not have the juice in the passing game to expect those two to be enough against a secondary like this on paper. Someone else has to step up, and if one player does, it might be enough to crawl the Steelers over the finish line.
Nothing seemed to go in Roman Wilson’s favor while Mike Tomlin led the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether it was battling through an injury-filled rookie season or struggling to find his footing in his second year, Wilson now finds himself on the roster bubble. He understands this could be his final opportunity to establish himself in Pittsburgh, and a coaching change may have given him a boost.
With Mike McCarthy now serving as head coach of the Steelers, Wilson has a fresh opportunity to reset his trajectory.
Any issues that may have lingered under Tomlin are now in the past. While it is unclear if the young playmaker will immediately build chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, a new coaching staff brings the potential for change. According to McCarthy, Wilson was also one of the first players to reach out after the hiring, which could signal a strong level of motivation moving forward.
“He was one of the first men to reach out. Just clearly ask what the expectation was of him, how I view him.” McCarthy said. “How I saw him fitting in as it rolls. He’s had a great offseason.”
Nothing will be handed to Roman Wilson, as Pittsburgh has completely overhauled its wide receiver group this offseason. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard all appear set for significant roles on offense, which could leave Wilson in a difficult position. However, if he proves during training camp that he deserves playing time, McCarthy will not overlook his performance.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Roman Wilson might be turning a corner with HC Mike McCarthy
It will be up to Roman Wilson to prove he can be a starting caliber receiver throughout the preseason. If he fails to secure the fourth spot on the depth chart or better, his career could enter a critical stage. Time is quickly running out, but his level of talent is still clear. The hope is that with McCarthy as an offensive-minded head coach, Wilson will be in a better position to succeed.
Reaching a high level this season will not come easily for Wilson.
At times last year, it appeared that Aaron Rodgers did not look his way often in the passing game. There could be some tension between the two, which may have contributed to the Steelers bringing in multiple veteran receivers late last season. If that disconnect still exists, it could become another obstacle for Wilson as he tries to earn Rodgers’ trust and secure a larger role in the offense.
With McCarthy leading the coaching staff, he will look to unlock the full potential of Pittsburgh’s offense. Wilson could play an important role in helping address the unit’s ongoing struggles. Despite the talent ahead of him on the depth chart, his opportunity could grow significantly this season. He will need to earn his place, but there is a clear path for him to succeed.
Outside of Metcalf, Pittman Jr., and Bernard, Wilson should still have an opportunity to make plays this season.
If he is unable to carve out a role during the preseason, he could find himself on his way off the roster sooner than expected. However, the positive remarks from McCarthy should give him a boost of confidence entering what is shaping up to be a make-or-break campaign. This is his final opportunity to prove himself in Pittsburgh.
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With America celebrating its 250th birthday this summer, a major landmark in Pittsburgh will celebrate its 100th birthday.
Allegheny County announced a 100th Birthday Bash for the Andy Warhol Bridge on Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato made the event official on Friday morning and said it will feature art, music, games, and more.
“Allegheny County’s history is filled with innovation and creativity, beautiful architecture, and talented homegrown artists, and the Andy Warhol Bridge encapsulates all of that in one iconic structure,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “I hope everyone will come down for a fun day of art, community, and a shared celebration of our history on June 27.”
Part of the celebration will be art projects hosted and led by the Andy Warhol Museum and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Local artist Strawberry Luna will also create a special, commemorative poster celebrating the bridge’s history.
The Andy Warhol Bridge is the only bridge in the country to be named for a visual artist, according to Allegheny County.
“As our nation commemorates the U.S. Semiquincentennial, it is fitting that we recognize the oldest of the three Sister Bridges, which represent Pittsburgh’s tradition of innovation, ingenuity, and ‘we can do it’ spirit,” said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center. “These iconic bridges, painted in ‘Aztec Gold’ as an homage to the city’s official colors, are symbols of Pittsburgh’s vibrancy, culture, and most importantly, its people.”
Formerly known as the Seventh Street Bridge, it was renamed the Andy Warhol Bridge in 2005 to honor the famous artist as well as the 10th anniversary of the Andy Warhol Museum, which is two blocks away.
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