NFL Week 1 scores and live updates: Schedule, news, analysis, inactives, observations from Sunday’s games
After ruling starting quarterback Russell Wilson inactive hours before kickoff, the Pittsburgh Steelers rode a historic day from kicker Chris Boswell to beat the Atlanta Falcons 18-10 in their season opener Sunday.
Justin Fields, who was named the starter after Wilson was ruled out after early warmups Sunday morning, operated the Steelers offense and set up Boswell, who hit six field goals and scored every one of Pittsburgh’s points. Boswell became the first player in franchise history to make three 50-yard field goals in the same game.
On defense, the Steelers managed to hold Atlanta scoreless in the second half as quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled mightily in his Falcons debut.
Finishing drives a problem
Boswell earned every bit of his $5 million salary Sunday. The veteran connected on field goals from 57 yards, 51 yards, 44 yards, 56 yards, 40 yards and 25 yards. (Oh, he also was forced to punt when Cameron Johnston went down with an injury). While it was a good day to have Boswell on your fantasy team, the Steelers need to find a way to finish with touchdowns.
In addition to the drives that fizzled with field goals, the Steelers had a chance to extend their lead to eight points with a field goal with 7:08 remaining. Instead, they attempted a QB sneak on fourth-and-1 from the Atlanta 6 yard-line that failed. The Steelers can’t count on winning many games if they fail to get into the end zone. — Mike DeFabo, Steelers beat writer
Steelers opt for conservative passing attack
Returning to Atlanta for the first time since he was fired as the head coach, Steelers first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith mostly used a conservative passing attack early in the game. In the first half, Fields completed just two passes longer than 10 yards. That included a last-second desperation pass to George Pickens for 33 yards at the end of the first half that set up a field goal.
Considering the Steelers were starting their backup QB and were thrown a curveball late in the week when Wilson went down, it was reasonable to try to give Fields some easy, confidence-building completions that kept the ball out of harm’s way. As the game continued, Smith’s use of timely deep shots helped the Steelers add a necessary spark.
In addition to the aforementioned shot to Pickens, Smith also dialed up a deep ball on first down late in the third quarter. Again, Fields found Pickens, this time for a 40-yard gainer that led to the Steelers’ fifth field goal. — DeFabo
Fields to Pickens. Now that’s a connection.@steelers | @FedEx pic.twitter.com/7CqYA98PZY
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
New players in the secondary step up
The Steelers added two starters to their secondary this offseason, trading for Donte Jackson and signing DeShon Elliott in free agency. Both players produced splash plays in their Steelers’ debut. Elliott jumped Cousins’ pass early to set up a field goal. Then, with the game in the balance, Jackson also intercepted Cousins and returned it 49 yards to nearly seal the game. — DeFabo
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
Cousins’ Falcons debut a flop
Cousins’ debut in Atlanta could have gone better. It couldn’t have gone much worse actually. The Falcons signed him to a four-year deal in free agency that guarantees him $90 million over the next two seasons and could pay him up to $180 million over the next four seasons. Sunday’s numbers were not what they had in mind when they did it. Cousins finished 16-of-26 with one touchdown and two interceptions and lost his head-to-head matchup against Steelers backup quarterback and Chicago Bears castoff Justin Fields, a Georgia native.
The biggest problem for Cousins and the Falcons’ offense overall was its inability to handle Pittsburgh edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Watt wrecked several parts of the game single-handedly, and Cousins was under some pressure when he threw a game-clinching interception on the final drive of the game.
Bijan Robinson carried a heavy load but didn’t go very far. The second-year running back had 18 carries for 68 yards and five catches for 43 yards. Overall, Atlanta ran the ball 22 times for 89 yards. — Josh Kendall, Falcons beat writer
Falcons don’t deliver promise to fans
The Steelers, as usual, traveled well. The fan split in Mercedes-Benz Stadium felt close to even when the game began, but the noise was all behind Pittsburgh in the second half. Twice in critical moments late, Watt was signaling the crowd for more noise and getting his wish.
It’s not unusual in recent years for NFL teams with large fan bases to take over Atlanta’s home field. It is a trend the Falcons had hoped to turn around this season.
“This city will ride with us but we need to earn the right,” Cousins said before the season. “We have to go out and play in such a way that they are really going to get behind us.”
Sunday wasn’t a great start. — Kendall
Required reading
(Photo: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)
