Two teams with new starting quarterbacks face off to begin the season, as the Falcons host the Steelers. Here is how to bet on the game at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Steelers (+3.5) vs. Falcons o/u 42
Steelers Team Breakdown
The Steelers brought in two new quarterbacks this offseason, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson won the starting job and is expected to play on Sunday, but he was limited in practice on Thursday with a calf injury. Honestly, there isn’t much of a difference between Wilson and Fields in this offense. Wilson is more experienced, but Fields might have a higher upside—especially rushing—in their current forms.
The Steelers’s offensive line could really struggle in this game. LT Dan Moore has struggled in the past, LG Isaac Seumalo is injured and is likely to miss the game. All that, and they’ll also be starting a rookie at center in his first-ever NFL game.
Defensively, the Steelers will be really good once again. The defense finished sixth in defensive DVOA last season, and they added stud LB Patrick Queen to the roster this offseason.
Falcons Team Breakdown
Just like the Steelers, the Falcons added two new quarterbacks this offseason. They had some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL last season so they added Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr. this offseason. Cousins was always going to be the starter but coming off of an Achilles injury, the Falcons wanted the assurance of a good backup so they drafted Penix in the first round.
The Falcons added some really solid players on the defensive side of the ball in EDGE Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons. Both should help improve a Falcons defense that was below average last season. Raheem Morris should also improve this defense instantly with his scheme.
Pick and Prediction
Mike Tomlin-coached Steelers teams, when they play on the road, are 55-25 (68.8%) to the under. Tomlin coaches a very conservative offense and a consistently great defense when playing on the road. With a new quarterback and new offensive coordinator, this offense will likely be even more conservative than normal.
The Steelers only have one legit wide receiver, George Pickens, which works out well for the Falcons who only have one legit cornerback, A.J. Terrell Jr. The Falcons should be able to shut down most of what the Steelers want to do, especially with the familiarity of how new Steelers OC Arthur Smith runs an offense, as he was their head coach last season.
Both offenses could be pretty rusty and working out the kinks in this game. Both defenses should be solid and limit what their opponent wants to do. For all of these reasons, I am rolling with the under in this matchup.
Best Bet: Steelers-Falcons u42
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