In an exciting season opener at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged victorious, spoiling Kirk Cousins' debut as the quarterback for the Falcons. The game was marked by a significant contribution from Steelers kicker Chris Boswell, whose accurate kicks made all the difference in the 18-10 win.

Both teams showcased new additions to their rosters, drawing an equal number of fans to the stadium. However, it was the experience and skill of Chris Boswell, a veteran in the league, that ultimately swung the game in favor of the Steelers.

The Falcons had placed high hopes on Cousins, who was returning from a season-ending injury while playing for the Minnesota Vikings last year. The quarterback had gained praise for his leadership during training camp, but it became apparent that success in practice doesn't always translate to success on the field.

As the game began, the Falcons adopted a conservative strategy with a series of rushing plays by Bijan Robinson. This approach seemed reasonable given the circumstances. The Steelers capitalized on a late first-quarter error by Cousins, as DeShon Elliott intercepted his pass, leading to one of the three field goals that Pittsburgh would score in the first half.

While the Steelers faced some early difficulties, with Justin Fields replacing the injured Russell Wilson at quarterback, they were able to move the ball effectively. However, converting those opportunities into touchdowns proved challenging, and they struggled to get within striking distance of the end zone.

A moment of excitement came from Fields' 36-yard pass to George Pickens that would have set the Steelers up for a potential red-zone opportunity. Unfortunately, Pickens' offensive pass interference nullified the play. T.J. Watt's offside penalty, occurring later in the half, also proved costly, as it negated his strip-sack and fumble recovery.

Despite these setbacks, Cousins seized the opportunity, finding Kyle Pitts in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown pass with only 38 seconds remaining in the half. This play provided a glimmer of hope for the Falcons and kept the score close.

Ultimately, it was Boswell's accurate kicking that proved pivotal for the Steelers, as he consistently converted field goals throughout the game. The Falcons struggled to close the gap in the second half, and the Steelers' defense held firm, preventing any significant Atlanta comeback.

With this victory, the Steelers set a promising tone for the start of the 2024 season. As for Cousins and the Falcons, they will need to regroup and re-strategize in their pursuit of success in the upcoming games.

Overall, it was an intense battle between two revamped franchises, but in the end, the Steelers emerged as the victors, spoiling Kirk Cousins' debut in Atlanta with an 18-10 win.