The Pittsburgh Steelers open their season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. By most accounts, it’s a game the Steelers should win. They only play one 2025 playoff team through the first half of the season, and the Falcons certainly aren’t one of the strongest opponents. Atlanta comes into this game missing some key defenders and having some real questions at quarterback.

Thus, it’s not a shocker that CBS Sports’ John Breech and Tyler Sullivan each predicted Pittsburgh to win on Sunday. However, Breech doesn’t think it will come easy.

“I do think an upset is possible. I think all of the pressure this game is on the Steelers… You don’t want to fall on your face coming out of the gate,” Breech said Wednesday on CBS Sports HQ. “You have all the drama going on with Joey Porter Jr. and that contract situation. So the Falcons could sneak into Pittsburgh and pull off the win here. But, I am going to take the Steelers to win by three.”

We still don’t know how the Joey Porter Jr. situation is going to shake out. But for what it’s worth, it doesn’t seem as if the situation is impacting the locker room in any way. Porter’s teammates have come out in support of him, and Omar Khan was spotted chatting up Porter at practice about a week ago.

Of course, the Steelers are better with him on the field. And Atlanta’s offense will be tough to deal with. The Falcons have a dangerous rushing attack headlined by Bijan Robinson, and Drake London is one of the best receivers in the league.

Sullivan also predicted the Steelers will beat the Falcons, though in much easier fashion. He sees a tough day at the office for Tua Tagovailoa.

“I think the Steelers win, I think they cover. I have so many questions about Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, I think he turns the ball over a couple of times in this game. Especially when he deals with the pressure of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith screaming off the edge,” Sullivan said.

Forcing a couple of turnovers would be a great sign for a defense that forced none during the three preseason games. Takeaways have long been a signature of the Steelers’ defense. Despite all the issues that unit had, it was still fourth in the league in takeaways in 2025.

For new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, that’s not been as much of a staple throughout his career. Thus, it is a little bit worrying that Pittsburgh didn’t force any turnovers during the preseason slate. Granted, Graham will get to play most of his starters for the first time this week, so we may see an improvement there. Forcing multiple turnovers would be a great sign.

If the Steelers think of themselves as a contender, the Falcons are a team they have to beat. Both Breech and Sullivan think that will happen on Sunday afternoon.