Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction, Preview and Odds - 09/08/2024

Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, September 8, 2024

Venue:  Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Steelers +3, Falcons -3; Over/Under:  42 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Steelers +3, Falcons -3; Over/Under:  42 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Steelers +3, Falcons -3; Over/Under:  42 points

Pittsburgh Steelers:  0-0 (AFC North)

Atlanta Falcons:  0-0 (NFC South)

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Pittsburgh Steelers:  N/A

Atlanta Falcons:  N/A

The Steelers finished last season with a 10-7 record overall and they were 5-1 in their division games too. They had a 5-4 record in their home games and had a 5-3 record in their road games where they will be in this game. Last season, their offense was averaging 17.9 points per game and their defense was allowing an average of 19.1 points per game. Their offense was also averaging 304.3 yards per game and their defense was allowing an average of 342.1 yards per game. Kenny Pickett led the team in passing yards with 2070, Najee Harris led the team in rushing yards with 1035, and George Pickens led the team in receiving yards with 1140.

The Falcons finished last season with a 7-10 record overall and they were 3-3 in their division games too. They had a 5-3 record in their home games and had a 2-7 record in their road games, but they will be at home in this game. Last season, their offense was averaging 18.9 points per game and their defense was allowing an average of 21.9 points per game. Their offense was also averaging 334.3 yards per game and their defense was allowing an average of 321.1 yards per game. Desmond Ridder led the team in passing yards with 2836, Bijan Robinson led the team in rushing yards with 976, and Drake London led the team in receiving yards with 906.

The current betting odds have the Falcons listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Falcons weren't great last season with their 7-10 record overall, but they have made a lot of changes this season. They have a new head coach with Raheem Morris and they have a new starting QB too, Kirk Cousins. They were already a better home team last season even when they were struggling, but now they have a better starting QB to run the offense. They have lots of weapons on the offense too so they are going to be a scoring threat in this game, and Morris is a defensive minded coach so he will have that defense ready to go right away. Meanwhile, the Steelers are dealing with a lot of changes themselves this season. They were 10-7 last season as they continue to have winning seasons under Tomlin, but they are going to have some new faces at QB. Last season, they were switching between Pickett and Trubisky but this year they have replaced those two with Wilson and Fields. Wilson has been named the starter for this game but he hasn't looked great in recent seasons as he struggled in Denver. The Steelers also rely more on their defense, but if Wilson isn't up to speed with this new offense, they are going to struggle to stay in this game even with a good defense. The Falcons have a lot to prove in this opening game and at the moment, they have the better starting QB who will be able to put up some points in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Falcons to cover the spread in this game. 

Steelers Falcons Prediction:  Our NFL Pick for Sunday, September 8, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Falcons 21 Steelers 17.

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Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-5 ATS in the second half of their last 17 games. 5-2 (+4.85 units) on the second half moneyline in their last 7 road games. 8-6 (+6.05 units) on the fourth quarter moneyline in their last 14 games. 

Atlanta Falcons: 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games. 2-11 ATS in the third quarter of their last 13 games. 4-0 to the over with their team total in their last 4 home games. 

Pittsburgh Steelers:  None.

Atlanta Falcons:  None.

"As we got into camp and it really got competitive, it became evident that the decision was going to be difficult. Justin's talents are more than I anticipated, particularly his mobility and the things he can do and create. That was really exciting. Russ' deep ball is even more impressive than his reputation, and I've seen it for 10-plus years." - Mike Tomlin on Russell Wilson being the starting quarterback for week 1.

"I've seen a violent, big human that's absolutely learning how to practice versus his teammates. And some of the stuff you like, some of the stuff you got to say, ‘whoa’, but he is strong. He's got great length. He's throwing his hands. He's being physical. He's doing things the right way. I've really been impressed." - Raheem Morris on Ta’Quon Graham coming into this new NFL season.

WR Pickens, George 

WR Jefferson, Van 

WR Austin III, Calvin 

TE Freiermuth, Pat

QB Wilson, Russell 

RB Harris, Najee 

WR London, Drake

WR Mooney, Darnell

WR McCloud III, Ray-Ray 

TE Pitts, Kyle 

QB Cousins, Kirk 

RB Robinson, Bijan

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin (18th season)

Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris (1st season)