Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers

• Non

  

  
  
  
  
  When: Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. EDT
  Where: Heinz Field
  TV: FOX
  Announcers: TBA
  
  No word yet on who will start at quarterback for the Steelers. Many are speculating that it will be veteran Charlie Batch, but the Steelers may want to keep the Falcons guessing until late in the week. There is also the possibility the Steelers could start Batch, but also use Dennis Dixon as a change-of-pace.
  
  The Falcons are coming off a 9-7 season, after finishing 11-5 in 2008. The key to another run at the NFC South title and playoff berth hinges on the health of Matt Ryan. A turf toe injury sidelined Ryan for two pivotal games last year against Philadelphia and New Orleans, in Weeks 13 and 14, and the Falcons lost both games. Ryan returned and led the Falcons to victories in their final three games but it wasn't enough to earn a playoff berth.
  
  The last meeting between these teams in Pittsburgh resulted in a 34-34 tie back in 2002.
• Hb31187

  

  No big ben=Falcons win.
• rock_knutne

  No ties this time around, the Steeler defense gets it done and sets the tone for this stretch of games with out Ben.
• bigdaddy2003

  

  I'm going with Atlanta.
• Non

  

  Even for the first game I think it's almost a must win for the Steelers.
  
  Atlanta
  at Tennessee
  at Tampa Bay
  Baltimore
  
  bye
  Cleveland
  
  You figure if they beat Atlanta and Tampa and lose to Tennessee and Baltimore, that's still 2-2 and they can come back home against Cleveland and have a shot to get to 3-2. Pretty good all things considered.
• Non

  

  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10249/1085513-100.stm
  
  Dennis Dixon will get the start.
• DeyDurkie5

  

  I think John Lynch on this one
• DeyDurkie5

  

  rock_knutne;473117 wrote:No ties this time around, the Steeler defense gets it done and sets the tone for this stretch of games with out Ben.

  
  michael turner all day
• Non

  

  First game with the defense fresh, I'd be surprised if the Falcons are able to run it very effectively.
  
  Even though Turner is a good back and can be tough to bring down.
  
  The key to this game will be turnovers. Especially if Dixon plays he can't fumble snaps and throw interceptions. And on the other side the Steelers need to create some opportunities with their defense.
• Hb31187

  

  White will give Taylor and McFadden fits though
• Automatik

  

  I think its a toss up...could go either way.
  
  Pittsburgh should be able to hold Atlanta's O in check, but I'm not sure if they will able to score consistently. Dixon MUST play smart.
  
  27-20 Pittsburgh.
• killer_ewok

  

  Arians can't "handcuff" Dixon but they've got to make it clear.....don't try to make a play when there's NOTHING there. Dixon tried to force some things when he got his chance to run with the 1st teamers in the preseason loss to Denver. Sometimes you've just got to see that there's nothing there, resist the urge to be a hero and throw the ball away or take a sack if need be. I guess that comes with experience but there's no grace period here. IF Dixon understands that.....I think they'll be fine. Big if though. The Steeler defense will have to be at the top of their game IMO. Tough game. It would be really nice to get this victory in the first game of the season.
• Non

  

  I think Arians kind of sabotaged Dixon in the Denver game.
  
  They wanted him to drop back and see if he could make some throws.
  
  You can't put Dixon in and have him run the same system as if Ben was in there.
  
  The offense has to change significantly.
• Laley23

  

  Atlanta without Ben.
• Ironman92

  

  Yeah...if Arians lets Dixon be Dixon...Pittsburgh win...if not defense better be unbelievable
• rock_knutne

  I think Tomlin will have Dixon on a short chain, if he makes multiple mistakes there's no doubt in my mind he will be pulled for Batch. That said, I like Dixon getting the call and as stated above, if Arians doesn't handcuff him and let's him play with in his abilities instead of the designed offense, they should be able to score enough points to win.
• Ironman92

  

  I think Dixon would have to be terrible and Pittsburgh down about 10+ before Tomlin puts in Batch
  
  Hopefully we'll not know if I'm right
• Hb31187

  

  two 9 and 7 teams, one with their starting pro bowl QB suspended, and a starter with a whopping 1 career start, and one with everyone healthy and ready to go....Yet the team with the suspended starter is getting more love haha....Homer alert
• Ironman92

  

  His one career start was a solid game that Arians blew for being chicken shitted
  
  Polamalu will dominate.
  
  Steelers 24
  Falcons 20
• Hb31187

  

  Lol hell dominate who? Either Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez or Michael Turner will have a big game.
• Ironman92

  

  He ain't covering anyone......he's a roamer. He'll fly through and kill any sweep type run and scare the begeezus out of the QB and he'll pick at least one off. He is one of THE very top defensive players in the game.......he'll make crap happen.
• Hb31187

  

  Im aware of what he does. When two teams are as close as these two are in terms of talent....When one team is missing a superstar QB, it kinda throws a wrench into things. Maybe thats bc im an Atlanta fan, but it seems like a complete logical way to think to me.
• Ironman92

  

  Defenses aren't fond of defending an opened up Dennis Dixon.
  
  This certainly could be Atlanta's year.....but I'm pretty confident in Pittsburgh's stars on defense to make enough happen
• Non

  

  Hb31187;474045 wrote:two 9 and 7 teams, one with their starting pro bowl QB suspended, and a starter with a whopping 1 career start, and one with everyone healthy and ready to go....Yet the team with the suspended starter is getting more love haha....Homer alert

  
  One thing to consider, though, the Steelers finished 9-7 but that was with Polamalu and Aaron Smith out for a good portion of the season.
  
  It's not really accurate to say this is the same Steelers team that went 9-7 minus Roethlisberger.
  
  I would give Atlanta the edge because of the QB situation but then I would factor in the Steelers being at home for the opener, the defense being healthy and fresh and that would put it about even for me.
  
  I'm expecting a 20-17 type game.
• Heretic

  

  Things I agree with/feel to be true.
  
  Roddy White is the guy on Arizona I'm most worried about.
  
  Dixon DEFINITELY has to be WAY better than in that preseason game with Denver. I see this as a close game that either team could win and if he's fucking up right and left, it won't be.
  
  Steelers keys to the win are Dixon being efficient and the run game at least working enough that he doesn't HAVE to be a hero. Also, the defense coming up big. With an inexperienced QB, I don't want a shootout situation.