The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to face the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NFL odds series, which includes Steelers-Falcons predictions and picks.
Pittsburgh is 4-7 and on the verge of its first loss under Mike Tomlin. The Steelers have won two of their last three games, and there are signs of hope. Pittsburgh’s schedule won’t get any easier after this, but his 3rd place finish in NFC North leaves a potential playoff appearance.
Atlanta is 5-7 this season, second in the very weak NFC South. Arthur Smith, from the first season he could win seven. The injury list could hamper the Falcons once and for all, but it’s possible the division will face Tampa Bay in Week 18.
Here are the Steelers-Falcons NFL odds provided by FanDuel.
NFL odds: Steelers – Falcons odds
Pittsburgh Steelers: -1 (-105)
Atlanta Falcons: +1 (-115)
Over: 42.5 (-114)
Under: 42.5 (-106)
Why The Steelers Can Cover The Spread
Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has begun to show promise of getting him a first-round pick. Pickett completed 66.0% of passes for 1,600 yards with 3 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Pickett threw for 178 yards without a turnover Monday night against Indianapolis. Pitt products rank second on the team with 3 rushing touchdowns. Harris leads the team with 585 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Pittsburgh recorded 1,250 total rushing yards and his 10 touchdowns as a team.
Tight end Pat Frey Elms led the team with 521 receiving yards and one touchdown. Rookies George Pickens and Harris are lining up for his lead on the team with two touchdowns on his catches. Pickens has a total of 510 receiving yards. Pittsburgh is averaging his 17.6 points per game, which puts him 28th in the league, but he has scored 54 points in his last two games combined.
Pittsburgh’s defense is similarly lacking, ranking 24th, allowing 23.7 points per game. Alex Highsmith terrified opposing quarterbacks with his 10-sack tone. Pittsburgh has 22 total sacks and Atlanta he allows 27 sacks. Minka Fitzpatrick and Levi his Wallace leading the team with three pass interceptions each.
Why The Falcons Can Cover The Spread
Marcus Mariota was solid, passing 62.0% for 2,046 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Mariota also ranks second in rushing touchdowns with four and third in rushing yards with 421. Tyler Allgeier leads the team with his 552 rushing yards and scoring touchdowns. Cordarrelle Patterson leads the team with five rushing touchdowns. Atlanta rushed for his 1,920 yards and his 12 touchdowns as a team.
Olamide Zaccheaus leads the team with 465 receiving yards and has two touchdown catches. Rookie Drake London leads the team with four receiving touchdowns, and 438 yards put him second. Losing tight end Kyle Pitts to Injared Reserve takes a toll on the offense, but Mariota has some weapons in the arsenal to overcome it: Atlanta is averaging 22.7 points and he’s the best in the league. Ranked 14th.
The defense is Kryptonite on the team and ranks 25th by allowing 24.4 points per game. Grady Jarrett leads the team with 5.5 sacks, leaving his team total at just 17. Atlanta has intercepted passes his 10th time this season.
Final Steelers vs. Falcons Predictions and Picks
I’m choosing to go with Kenny Pickett, two bad defenses mean a lot of points.
Steelers vs. Falcons Final Predictions and Picks: Pittsburgh -1 (-105), Over 42.5 (-114)
