Falcons vs. Steelers Picks, Predictions, and Odds: The Return of Captain Kirk

• Arthur Smith was the head coach of the Falcons from 2021 to 2023. Now, he’s the Steelers offensive coordinator. 

• Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles but appears good to go with a cast of weapons, including Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and more. 

• The Falcons ranked inside the top eight twice under Smith, and with an overhauled offensive line, he’ll look to keep running the ball with running back Najee Harris. 

The storylines for this game are massive. On one side, we have the return of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is coming off a torn Achilles and is now playing for the Atlanta Falcons. On the other side, we have the Steelers with Russell Wilson at quarterback and an offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, who was the head coach of the Falcons from 2021 to 2023. 

Let’s dive in. 

Falcons vs. Steelers Odds 

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Falcons vs. Steelers: My Pick

• My Pick: Steelers moneyline at  +3.5 (-115) at FanDuel

This will be an incredibly close game, but I’m leaning toward the Steelers getting the hook at +3.5 points. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith wants to run the ball, and with two solid backs and a rebuilt offensive line, they do enough here to keep the game close and just edge it out to cover the spread despite taking a road loss. 

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Falcons vs. Steelers Predictions 

The Falcons enter the season with a renewed hope at quarterback in Cousins, but again, he’s coming off a torn Achilles. Assuming he’s OK and ready to go, the Falcons are getting a player who was having an NFL MVP-caliber season in 2023 before the injury. He completed 216 of 311 passes (69.5%) in eight games for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. For context, the Falcons started Desmond Riddger in 13 games, and he appeared in 15 in 2023. He had 2,836 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Yeah, this is a big-time upgrade. 

He’ll have wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, tight end Kyle Pitts, and running back Bijan Robinson to work with in a dome, and with a new offensive coordinator that’ll get the most out of Cousins in Zac Robinson. 

The Steelers brought in Smith to help out this offense, and he’s the new defensive coordinator. While he was the head coach of the Falcons last season, this is a totally new team with Cousins at quarterback. Still, the Steelers didn’t waste any time revamping things. They drafted Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier to add to this offensive line and have a new quarterback in Russell Wilson. Under Smith, the Falcons ranked inside the top eight in rushing yards per game in 2022 and 2023. 

I fully expect the Steelers to do all they can, manage the game with Wilson, and run the ball with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren (if he plays). 

I think Cousins is ready to go. The Steelers cover, but the Falcons get their first win over the season, 23-20.

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Falcons vs Steelers: How to Watch

• When: Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 PM ET

• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

• Where to Watch: FOX

Falcons vs. Steelers Best Promos and Sportsbooks

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Good luck in Week 1.

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Falcons vs. Steelers Injuries

• Steelers OL Isaac Seumalo has been ruled out with a pectoral injury.

• Steelers WR Roman Wilson is questionable with an ankle injury. 

• Steelers RB Jaylen Warren practiced on Monday but is questionable with a hamstring injury. 

• Steelers C Nate Herbig was placed on injured reserve earlier this offseason, so Frazier, a rookie, is the full-time starter. 

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