Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Predictions and Odds

The NFL season has begun, and Sunday’s schedule features two teams with new starting quarterbacks in 2024. The Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers both had busy offseasons and will face each other in Week 1.

Atlanta hired head coach Raheem Morris and signed top quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Falcons have a ton of talent on offense and hope Cousins, who is fresh off a season-ending Achilles injury, can tap into that potential with a new coaching staff.

NFC South or bust: Can the Falcons meet the high expectations of their strengthened squad?

Pittsburgh’s defense was reliable as always in 2023 and returns mostly the same starters this season. The big changes came on offense. Pittsburgh spent its top two draft picks on offensive linemen and brought in two new quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson was named the starter and is hoping to turn his career around after being released from Denver.

Week 1 is the first opportunity for both offenses to showcase their new quarterbacks and offensive systems. And there’s a hint of revenge, too, as former Falcons coach Arthur Smith is now the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.

Steelers vs. Falcons odds, moneyline, over/under

According to the BetMGM NFL odds, Atlanta is the favorite to start the season with a win. Want to bet? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps that offer NFL betting promotions in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.

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Spread: Falcons (-3.5)
Money line: Atlanta (-190), Pittsburgh (+155)
Over/Under: 41.5 points

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Odds, predictions and tips for the first NFL week

USA TODAY: Falcons 21, Steelers 17

Tyler Dragon says: “Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins are both making their debuts with new teams. Pittsburgh’s defense should be strong, but the offense will have to go through a transition period with Wilson at quarterback. Cousins inherited a Falcons offense that has the potential to take off. Expect Atlanta’s defense to be better under Raheem Morris and the dynamic safety duo of Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons.”

Sports Betting Wire: Falcons 20, Steelers 17

Nathan Beighle writes: “Pittsburgh has a strong defense and should be able to keep this game close. Last season they lost by 3 twice and were 6-5 ATS as an underdog. The Falcons have Cousins at quarterback, but he might be a little rusty in his first game in a new offense. Last season they struggled to hold their guard and failed to do so in their last 4 home games.”

Sports Illustrated: Falcons 20, Steelers 13

Iain MacMillan says, “I’ve been high on the Falcons and low on the Steelers all offseason, so of course I’m betting on the Dirty Birds to win by more than a field goal. We should also remember that despite making the playoffs, Pittsburgh ranked 26th in the NFL in net yards per play last season at -0.4 and did little to improve its roster in the offseason. The only factor that makes me nervous is Mike Tomlin, who has led this team to more wins than it deserves over the last couple of years.”

Winners and complainers: Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)

Chris King writes: “Atlanta has the majority of its offensive players back and you have to expect that side of the ball to improve with a proven player like Cousins running the offense. Pittsburgh is dealing with Wilson’s calf strain and is still trying to figure out the order of its receivers after Pickens. The Steelers have a solid defense, but their offense isn’t perfect yet, and besides, they’re on the road.”