Steelers vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Steelers and Falcons will both be relying on new quarterbacks when they meet in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon. Russell Wilson beat out Justin Fields for the Pittsburgh job, while Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins in free agency.
The Falcons opened as 3.5-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 42.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Steelers have been an incredibly stable franchise seemingly forever. They finished with a 10-7 record last season for their 20th straight winning season before they were bounced by Buffalo in the wild-card game. You can’t say the same about Atlanta, who finished with a 7-10 record for the third straight season and missed the playoffs for the sixth year in a row.
Pittsburgh won the last meeting between the teams two years ago in Atlanta. It was their fourth consecutive victory in the head-to-head series and the third time the total has gone Under in that stretch.
While Mike Tomlin’s 18-year reign as Steelers head coach isn’t in jeopardy, there’s still a desperation for better results for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. If you believe in Pittsburgh, you can get them at +5000 to win the Super Bowl.
A more realistic option, however, is Steelers to make the playoffs at +175 on the NFL futures board. There’s an argument that they could be the second-best team in the AFC North if Joe Burrow and the Bengals continue to deal with injury issues.
Expectations are just as high for the Falcons, who are +3000 to win the Super Bowl. Atlanta plays in what is easily the worst division in football, the NFC South, so you can be confident in taking them to win the division at -140.
Pittsburgh Steelers
After a year of quarterback injuries, the Steelers revamped the QB room in the off-season, signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Wilson won the QB1 position, but he’ll have his hands full trying to resuscitate an offence that finished 25th in average passing yards (186.1), 25th in total yards (304.3) and 28th in points (17.9) per game, last season. George Pickens is the No. 1 receiving target, but there’s no clear-cut No. 2 option. Najee Harris will continue to lead the attack on the ground after finishing with 1,035 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs last season.
Pittsburgh also revamped their defensive personnel, adding linebacker Patrick Queen, cornerback Donte Jackson and safety DeShon Elliott to shore up the back seven. Unfortunately, injuries are once again an issue. In addition to Wilson dealing with a calf injury (he’s still expected to play), centre Nate Herbig (rotator cuff) is done for the season, while tight end Darnell Washington (knee), defensive tackle Logan Lee (calf) and guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) all missed practice this week.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta cleared house in the off-season, firing head coach Arthur Smith and replacing him with former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. The biggest move, obviously, is signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract. Cousins threw for 2,331 yards, 18 TDs and five interceptions for Minnesota last season before suffering a torn Achilles in October. He’ll be tasked will mentoring Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft.
The Falcons traded for Matthew Judon from New England and signed safety Justin Simmons in free agency to bolster the back seven. They brought back the majority of skill players on offence, including Bijan Robinson, who led the team with 976 rushing yards and four rushing TDs as a rookie last season. Linebacker Nate Landman (quad) was the only player limited at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday.
PIT
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