The Pittsburgh Steelers will lose at Atlanta in Week 1. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will outscore them.

We’ve talked about training camp issues throughout what’s been an interminable offseason. Since those topics are exhausted, why not jump ahead to predicting games?

Records, too. I’ve got 9-8, trending toward 8-9.

Card subject to change. A lot can happen between now and Sept. 8. But not Brandon Aiyuk.

What’s occurred to date is that the Steelers haven’t had the great offseason you believe they have.

They have a 35-year-old quarterback. I have faith Russell Wilson will perform competently. But he’s past his prime and isn’t a numbers machine like Cousins.

Wilson’s weaponry is inadequate. The Steelers don’t have a legit No. 2 receiver.

Optimists think Pat Freiermuth can be the de facto No. 2 receiver.

If that’s true, then who’s the tight end? Freiermuth is a bum anyway. Just 32 catches last year and doesn’t block. But you can easily yell the last syllable of his name, so he’s a hero. MUUUUTH!

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It’s also not known if George Pickens can handle the mental and coverage burdens of being the clear-cut No. 1 receiver, especially in a situation where the drop in ability between Pickens and the next guy is cataclysmic.

The Steelers also lack at cornerback, especially during Cam Sutton’s suspension. Some guy named Beanie might deputize in the sub packages.

Carolina was about to cut Donte Jackson. Until they traded him to the Steelers for wideout Diontae Johnson. The Steelers immediately made Jackson a starter. A cornerback that a 2-15 team was about to ditch.

That’s the basis of my growing pessimism: The Steelers lack badly at two of football’s three most important positions: receiver and cornerback. Wilson is a bit of a question mark at the most important position.

The NFL is a passing league. Duh.

The Steelers are a willing anachronism, steadfast in their belief that elite defense and running the ball can win in 2024.

The Steelers smugly think they know better. After not winning a playoff game for seven seasons.

But that elite defense has holes, not least at cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. can cover most of the field but not all of it.

That’s Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren at running back, not Franco and Rocky.

When the Steelers get behind, they won’t catch up. If they’re down by two scores or more in the second quarter or later, they’re dead meat. They can pound the ball on the ground all they want.

The Steelers’ smugness is likely to be prominently displayed when the offensive line takes the field at Atlanta.

Dan Moore Jr. will line up at left tackle. Bet on it.

The Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2023 draft to take Broderick Jones, presumably to play left tackle, the line’s most important position. But over a year later, he’s still at right tackle.

Tackle Troy Fautanu, this year’s first-round pick, worked with the second string at OTAs and minicamp.

Moore is rotten by nearly every metric. But he’s going to start. Veteran respect. The rookies have to earn it. (Gag.)

Moore’s contract expires at season’s end. But don’t be surprised if the Steelers re-up Moore and install Fautanu at right guard in place of James Daniels, who will depart via free agency.

Because the Steelers know better.

The Steelers should move Jones to left tackle and start Fautanu at right tackle. Immediately.

When you’ve got a 35-year-old quarterback on a one-year deal, it’s not a building process. Get your best talent on the field.

If you’re building, start Justin Fields at quarterback.

But aren’t Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt a bit old for building?

The Steelers are a lot closer to clueless than they are to knowing better.

But did you know Coach T never has had a losing season?

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