Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3 Preseason) vs. Atlanta Falcons (0-3 Preseason)
The NFL season opens with an exciting game where the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons, who are coming off a season of losing in the preseason, will take the field in what promises to be a cracker of a game this Sunday. This game is set to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and will be shown live on FOX. This is one of the games that has particular significance as the two teams attempt to change the trend and begin the regular season properly so that it will be examined by fans looking for NFL betting tips.
The Steelers’ offense may chiefly center on the running game, where Justin Fields has done well during a short preseason period. Fields have carried the ball 13 times, picking up 48 yards, which is an average of 3.7 yards per rush, and it is something that the team is hoping will increase with time. Also, in the absence of the football, Dez Fitzpatrick stands out as a primary receiver. Fitzpatrick appears to have become one of the most explosive athletes in the league with the ball in his hands: 130 yards on five catches, an average of 26 yards per catch.
However, the offense of the Atlanta Falcons has had some success, as Jase McClellan has shown recently. Across three games, the run-back has managed to rush for about 97 yards, a healthy, though low, 4 yards per rush episode. He could help the quarterback wear down Pittsburgh’s defensive line by generating decent runs for the team. Most notable of the receivers is Chris Blair of the Falcons, who has assisted his team’s quarterback, Taylor Heinicke, with 8 receptions for 154 yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons Game Info
| When: | Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Kyle Allen QB vs. Taylor Heinicke QB
Kyle Allen has done a good job this preseason, completing 71.4% of his passes on 33 throws with 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In addition, his ability to hit the longer passes could be important, as shown by the fact that his longest throw has been 59 yards. With a passer rating of 97.5, Kyle Allen demonstrates that he has the ability to be an effective game manager given adequate protection.
On the downside, Taylor Heinicke has not performed as well as expected especially when it comes to accuracy, something which has seen him achieve a 45.5% completion rate and a dismal 59.5 passer rating. Nonetheless, as he looks to find a tempo in the passing game for the Falcons, his fighting spirit and proclivity to protect the ball will be very important.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Atlanta Falcons -160, Total Odds: 41.5
The Falcons are slight favorites at home with a -2.5 point spread and a moneyline of -160, reflecting modest confidence from the betting markets. The over/under set at 41.5 points considers both teams’ offensive struggles but also their potential to exploit each other’s defensive gaps.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
The Steelers have been robust against the Falcons historically, with a 13-1-1 straight-up record in their last 15 meetings and a 6-1 record in recent games in Atlanta. Moreover, Pittsburgh has beaten the spread in four of the last five matchups against the Falcons, indicating a trend that could influence betting decisions.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends
Atlanta’s recent form is concerning, with a 1-4 record against the spread and straight-up in their last five games. Their performance at home hasn’t been inspiring either, with a 2-5 ATS record in their last seven home games. This pattern could be worrisome for bettors leaning towards the Falcons.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons 9/8/24 Betting Picks
Given the historical data and preseason performances, the Steelers might edge out as the more stable choice, despite the Falcons’ home-field advantage. Their consistent ability to cover spreads and win outright in this fixture suggests a potential continuation of this trend.
While the safe bet appears to be on Pittsburgh covering the spread, those looking for a riskier play might consider the over on total points. Both teams have shown potential offensive sparks that could translate into a higher-scoring game than expected. For those engaged in best online betting, watching the live movements on the spread and total leading up to game time could offer additional insights.
