The NFL is back! Week 1 kickoff is here and it’s time to take a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons Predictions and Preview. Both teams received major overhauls to the starting quarterback position with Kirk Cousins taking over in Atlanta, while Russell Wilson has the reins in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons Predictions and Preview
Steelers (+3.5) vs Falcons (-3.5) Game Preview
While the Steelers are starting Russell Wilson, you should fully expect to see Justin Fields out there for a number of snaps. The Steelers will specifically designed plays for the backup quarterback to be able to use his athletic abilities. The person calling those plays is Arthur Smith. Smith was the Falcons head coach for the last few seasons and landed the offensive coordinator position in Pittsburg after being fired from the Falcons.
Kirk Cousins comes into his new situation with a lot of offensive weapons around him. Bijan Robinson will be explosive out of the backfield, with Drake London and Kyle Pitts to throw the ball down the field too. Raheem Morris, the former head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will now lead the charge for Cousins and the Falcons.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons Predictions and Preview
Pittsburgh Steelers +3.5 (-115)
Yes, it’s flashy that the Falcons have Cousins now and they should be a decent team. However, will it all click in Week 1 and is Raheem Morris the answer the Falcons have been losing for already?
For the Steelers, while some would say having two quarterbacks means you have no quarterbacks, let me introduce you to Mike Tomlin. One of the best head coaches in the league, this man just gets it done time and time again. Tomlin went 10-8 against the spread with Kenny Pickett and a host of other quarterbacks last year. Over the last five seasons, Tomlin and the Steelers have an ATS record of 46-38-2. This should be about a field goal game either way, so give me the Steelers.
Bijan Robinson 40+ Receiving Yards (+205)
Bijan Robinson was arguably being held back last year by Arthur Smith’s lack of willingness to use him. And lack of any good quarterback play. Now you enter a game with an older veteran quarterback returning from a massive injury who will be looking to get the ball out early and often. He has one of the most explosive playmakers in the league in Robinson out of the backfield.
Robinson eclipsed this number in five games in 2023. But had at least 26 receiving yards in 10 games over the course of the season. Mixing all the aforementioned factors together plus adding in new play caller Zac Robinson. Expect Bijan to hit the ground running on day one.
