For the second time in three seasons, Russell Wilson has a new team as he prepares to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers into a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
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.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Steelers vs. Falcons?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 May 4:13pm | ATL | -2.5 -115 | O +43 -110 |
| Closing 8 Sep 7:44pm | ATL | -4.5 +105 | O +27.5 -175 |
- Regular Season
Steelers Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
270 |
| Passing |
961 |
| Receiving |
23 |
| Sacks |
4.5 |
| Interceptions |
2 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Rushing |
285 |
| Passing |
1373 |
| Receiving |
32 |
| Sacks |
1.5 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
270 |
| Passing |
961 |
| Receiving |
23 |
| Sacks |
4.5 |
| Interceptions |
2 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Rushing |
285 |
| Passing |
1373 |
| Receiving |
32 |
| Sacks |
1.5 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
Weather
| condition | dome |
Injuries
Damontae Kazee (S)
Nick Herbig (LB)
DeMarvin Leal (DE)
Nick Herbig (LB)
Larry Ogunjobi (DT)
James Daniels (OL)
Cordarrelle Patterson (RB)
Jeremiah Moon (LB)
DeShon Elliott (S)
Najee Harris (RB)
Dee Alford (CB)
Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR)
Bijan Robinson (RB)
Troy Andersen (LB)
Bijan Robinson (RB)
Matthew Judon (LB)
Drew Dalman (OL)
Kaleb McGary (OT)
Tyler Allgeier (RB)
James Smith-Williams (DL)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damontae Kazee (S) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 08 / 10 / 24 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Kazee is fighting off an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Nick Herbig (LB) | Out Sun | Hamstring - 07 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Herbig is managing a hamstring injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| DeMarvin Leal (DE) | Out Sun | Neck - 07 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
DeMarvin is battling a neck injury, and he is not expected to feature in the lineup against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Nick Herbig (LB) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 04 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Herbig is nursing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Cowboys on Sunday. |
|||||
| Larry Ogunjobi (DT) | Ques Sun | Groin - 04 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Ogunjobi is laid up with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Cowboys on Sunday. |
|||||
| James Daniels (OL) | out of season | Ankle - 29 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Daniels is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to an Achilles tear. |
|||||
| Cordarrelle Patterson (RB) | Out Sun | Ankle - 29 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Patterson missed the previous contest with an ankle injury, and he is not projected to take the field against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jeremiah Moon (LB) | Mid Oct | Undisclosed - 26 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Moon is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and he is expected to remain out of the lineup until the mid part of October. |
|||||
| DeShon Elliott (S) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 25 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Elliott is dealing with a quadriceps, and it is unclear if he will play against the Colts on Sunday. |
|||||
| Najee Harris (RB) | Ques Sun | Arm - 23 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Harris is fighting off an arm injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against Colts on Sunday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dee Alford (CB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 03 / 10 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Alford left the previous game due to concussion, and it remains to be seen if he suits up against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 30 / 09 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
McCloud III is nursing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Buccaneers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Bijan Robinson (RB) | Ques Thurs | Hamstring - 30 / 09 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Robinson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Buccaneers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Troy Andersen (LB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 29 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Andersen sat out the last game due to a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Bijan Robinson (RB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 26 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Robinson is bothered by a shoulder injury, but he is projected to be active for Sunday's clash against the Saints. |
|||||
| Matthew Judon (LB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 26 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Judon is dealing with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to dress for Sunday's game against the Saints. |
|||||
| Drew Dalman (OL) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 23 / 09 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Dalman has been placed on injured reserve list due to high ankle sprain, and his return timetable is unknown. |
|||||
| Kaleb McGary (OT) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 23 / 09 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
McGary left the last game with a sprained MCL, and there is no timetable for his return. |
|||||
| Tyler Allgeier (RB) | Ques Sun | Hip - 18 / 09 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Allgeier is dealing with a hip injury, and it is undetermined if he will play Sunday's game against the Chiefs. |
|||||
| James Smith-Williams (DL) | Ques Sun | Hip - 18 / 09 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Smith-Williams is nursing a hip injury, and it is undetermined if he will play Sunday's game against the Chiefs. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 May 4:13pm ATL -2.5 -115 O +43 -110 Closing 8 Sep 7:44pm ATL -4.5 +105 O +27.5 -175 -
- Regular Season
Steelers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 270
Passing 961
Receiving 23
Sacks 4.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 285
Passing 1373
Receiving 32
Sacks 1.5
Interceptions 1
-
- Regular Season
Falcons Team Leaders
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 270
Passing 961
Receiving 23
Sacks 4.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 285
Passing 1373
Receiving 32
Sacks 1.5
Interceptions 1
-
Weather
condition dome -
Injuries
Damontae Kazee (S)
Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 10 / 24Nick Herbig (LB)
Out Sun Hamstring - 07 / 10 / 24DeMarvin Leal (DE)
Out Sun Neck - 07 / 10 / 24Nick Herbig (LB)
Ques Sun Ankle - 04 / 10 / 24Larry Ogunjobi (DT)
Ques Sun Groin - 04 / 10 / 24James Daniels (OL)
out of season Ankle - 29 / 09 / 24Cordarrelle Patterson (RB)
Out Sun Ankle - 29 / 09 / 24Jeremiah Moon (LB)
Mid Oct Undisclosed - 26 / 09 / 24DeShon Elliott (S)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 25 / 09 / 24Najee Harris (RB)
Ques Sun Arm - 23 / 09 / 24Dee Alford (CB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 03 / 10 / 24Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 30 / 09 / 24Bijan Robinson (RB)
Ques Thurs Hamstring - 30 / 09 / 24Troy Andersen (LB)
Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 09 / 24Bijan Robinson (RB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 26 / 09 / 24Matthew Judon (LB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 26 / 09 / 24Drew Dalman (OL)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 23 / 09 / 24Kaleb McGary (OT)
Out indefinitely Knee - 23 / 09 / 24Tyler Allgeier (RB)
Ques Sun Hip - 18 / 09 / 24James Smith-Williams (DL)
Ques Sun Hip - 18 / 09 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Damontae Kazee (S) Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 10 / 24 0-1 0-1 + - Kazee is fighting off an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Raiders on Sunday.
Nick Herbig (LB) Out Sun Hamstring - 07 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Herbig is managing a hamstring injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Raiders on Sunday.
DeMarvin Leal (DE) Out Sun Neck - 07 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - DeMarvin is battling a neck injury, and he is not expected to feature in the lineup against the Raiders on Sunday.
Nick Herbig (LB) Ques Sun Ankle - 04 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Herbig is nursing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Larry Ogunjobi (DT) Ques Sun Groin - 04 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Ogunjobi is laid up with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Cowboys on Sunday.
James Daniels (OL) out of season Ankle - 29 / 09 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Daniels is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to an Achilles tear.
Cordarrelle Patterson (RB) Out Sun Ankle - 29 / 09 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Patterson missed the previous contest with an ankle injury, and he is not projected to take the field against the Raiders on Sunday.
Jeremiah Moon (LB) Mid Oct Undisclosed - 26 / 09 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Moon is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and he is expected to remain out of the lineup until the mid part of October.
DeShon Elliott (S) Ques Sun Quadricep - 25 / 09 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Elliott is dealing with a quadriceps, and it is unclear if he will play against the Colts on Sunday.
Najee Harris (RB) Ques Sun Arm - 23 / 09 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Harris is fighting off an arm injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against Colts on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dee Alford (CB) Ques Sun Concussion - 03 / 10 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Alford left the previous game due to concussion, and it remains to be seen if he suits up against the Panthers on Sunday.
Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR) Ques Thurs Ankle - 30 / 09 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - McCloud III is nursing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Buccaneers on Thursday.
Bijan Robinson (RB) Ques Thurs Hamstring - 30 / 09 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Robinson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Buccaneers on Thursday.
Troy Andersen (LB) Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 09 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Andersen sat out the last game due to a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Panthers on Sunday.
Bijan Robinson (RB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 26 / 09 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Robinson is bothered by a shoulder injury, but he is projected to be active for Sunday's clash against the Saints.
Matthew Judon (LB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 26 / 09 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Judon is dealing with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to dress for Sunday's game against the Saints.
Drew Dalman (OL) Out indefinitely Ankle - 23 / 09 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - Dalman has been placed on injured reserve list due to high ankle sprain, and his return timetable is unknown.
Kaleb McGary (OT) Out indefinitely Knee - 23 / 09 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - McGary left the last game with a sprained MCL, and there is no timetable for his return.
Tyler Allgeier (RB) Ques Sun Hip - 18 / 09 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - Allgeier is dealing with a hip injury, and it is undetermined if he will play Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
James Smith-Williams (DL) Ques Sun Hip - 18 / 09 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - Smith-Williams is nursing a hip injury, and it is undetermined if he will play Sunday's game against the Chiefs.