Atlanta Falcons (0-0) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
September 8, 2024 at 01:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Atlanta Falcons -2.5 / Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5 — Over/Under: 41.5
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons meet Sunday in NFL action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s a Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Steelers vs Falcons pick. We will examine:
The Pittsburgh Steelers recent form and player performance
The Atlanta Falcons recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Pittsburgh Steelers
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Atlanta Falcons
Recent betting trends in games played between the Falcons and Steelers
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Steelers vs Falcons game
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview
Last year the Steelers made it to double-digit wins, going 10-7 overall. That record was only good enough for third place in a tough AFC North, but Pittsburgh still made the playoffs with a Wild Card berth. The Steelers would lose in the first game to the Buffalo Bills 31-17, though.
Pittsburgh didn’t have much luck in the win column during the preseason, for what it’s worth. The Steelers lost to the Texans 20-12 in their exhibition opener, then fell 9-3 against the Bills in a rematch of last year’s playoff loss. Pittsburgh finished off with a 24-17 loss to the Lions.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
Over on the Falcons’ side, they had an inverse result last year, going 7-10 overall. Atlanta landed in third place among NFC South teams and missed the playoffs. Ultimately head coach Arthur Smith was fired following the conclusion of the season, leaving with a 21-30 record.
Atlanta didn’t win any preseason games either, though that’s not necessarily a barometer of anything to come. The Falcons fell 20-13 to the Dolphins in their opener, then dropped a close one 13-12 versus the Ravens. Atlanta finished things off with a 31-0 blowout loss to the Jaguars.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Steelers’ last nine Sunday games played on the East Coast have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Falcons’ last eight games against AFC opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Atlanta Falcons Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Pitts has scored a touchdown in each of the Falcons’ last three games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as slight favorites (<-3.5 points).
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 29+ completions in each of his last seven home appearances.
- Kirk Cousins has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of his last seven home appearances.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 273+ passing yards in each of his last seven home appearances.
- Kyle Pitts has recorded 43+ receiving yards in nine of his last 10 Sunday appearances with the Falcons as home favorites.
- Tyler Allgeier has recorded 39+ rushing yards in each of the Falcons’ last 16 Sunday games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Tyler Allgeier has recorded 48+ rushing and receiving yards in 13 of the Falcons’ last 16 Sunday home games.
- Kirk Cousins ranked 3rd amongst qualified players for passer rating (103.8) last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Player Prop Facts
- Najee Harris has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Steelers’ last three regular season games.
- Najee Harris has recorded 68+ rushing and receiving yards in seven of the Steelers’ last eight games against NFC opponents.
- Najee Harris has recorded 53+ rushing yards in seven of the Steelers’ last eight games against NFC opponents.
- Van Jefferson has recorded 13+ receiving yards in seven of his last eight Sunday appearances with his team as a road underdog.
- Justin Fields has recorded six or more completions in each of his last 27 appearances against NFC opponents.
- George Pickens ranked 1st amongst qualified players for Yards Per Reception (18.1) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Falcons ranked T31st in the NFL in Q3 win percentage (17.6) last season.
- The Falcons ranked 30th in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game (13.9) last season.
- The Steelers ranked 31st in the NFL in average yards per punt (44.0) last season.
- The Steelers ranked T3rd in the NFL in H2 opponent points per game (7.6) last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction
I’ll stick with the Steelers, but you could certainly make a case the other way. Pittsburgh certainly has their work cut out for them in 2024, as they’ve been tasked with the toughest schedule in the NFL. The difficulty really cranks up in the second half of the season, so it’ll be important for Pittsburgh to perform well in these initial games. It’ll be a different look for the offense, as the Steelers switched up the QB depth chart (Russell Wilson and Justin Fields) and also picked up two new O-line starters via the draft.
Speaking of offense, the Falcons are expected to take a big step forward in that area, and many pundits are picking the team to win double-digit games comfortably. Defense will be another issue however, as Atlanta did lose a few veterans and impact players on that side of the ball. If both teams play well this should be a close one, and I think Pittsburgh can eke into a cover.