Admin September 8, 2024
Tony Gonzalez has high expectations for Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts
Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez believes Kyle Pitts needs to step up his game and meet expectations this season.
Sports Seriously
The NFL season is here and Sunday’s slate of games features two teams with new starting quarterbacks in 2024. The Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers both had busy offseasons and face off in Week 1.
Atlanta hired head coach Raheem Morris and signed top free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Falcons have plenty of talent on offense and are hoping Cousins, fresh off a season-ending Achilles injury, can unlock that potential with a new coaching staff as well.
NFC South or bust: Can Falcons rise up to meet lofty expectations for fortified roster?
Pittsburgh’s defense was reliable as usual in 2023 and returns most of the same starters this season. The big changes came on offense. Pittsburgh spent its top two draft picks on offensive linemen and brought on two new quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson’s been named the starter and is looking for a career turnaround after being released from Denver.
Week 1 will be the first chance for both offenses to showcase their new quarterbacks and offensive systems. There’s a touch of revenge, too, with former Falcons coach Arthur Smith now in Pittsburgh as the offensive coordinator.
Steelers vs. Falcons odds, moneyline, over/under
Atlanta is favored to start the season with a win, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
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- Spread: Falcons (-3.5)
- Moneyline: Atlanta (-190), Pittsburgh (+155)
- Over/under: 41.5 points
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Monday Night Football odds.
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NFL Week 1 odds, predictions and picks
Ravens vs. Chiefs | Packers vs. Eagles | Jaguars vs. Dolphins | Vikings vs. Giants | Panthers vs. Saints | Patriots vs. Bengals | Titans vs. Bears | Cardinals vs. Bills | Texans vs. Colts | Raiders vs. Chargers | Broncos vs. Seahawks | Commanders vs. Buccaneers | Cowboys vs. Browns | Rams vs. Lions | Jets vs. 49ers | Steelers vs. Falcons
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 stout, but the offense is bound to endure a transition period with Wilson under center. Cousins inherited a Falcons offense that has the potential to take off. Look for Atlanta’s defense to be better under Raheem Morris and the dynamic safety tandem of Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons.”
Sportsbook Wire: Falcons 20, Steelers 17
Nathan Beighle writes: “Pittsburgh has a stout defense, and it should be able to keep this game close. It lost by 3 twice a season ago and was 6-5 ATS as an underdog. The Falcons have Cousins under center, but in his first game in a new offense, there could be some rust. They struggled to cover last season and failed to cover in their last 4 home games.”
Sports Illustrated: Falcons 20, Steelers 13
Iain MacMillan says: “I’ve been high on the Falcons all offseason and low on the Steelers, so of course I’m going to back the Dirty Birds to win by more than a field goal. Let’s also remember that Pittsburgh, despite making the playoffs, was 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 dragged this team to more wins than they’ve deserved the past handful of years.”
Winners and Whiners: Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
Chris King writes: “Atlanta has the majority of their skill position players from the offensive side of the ball back and one has to think that there will be improvement on that side of the ball with a proven commodity like Cousins running the offense. Pittsburgh is dealing with Wilson’s calf strain and they are still trying to figure out the pecking order for their receivers beyond Pickens. The Steelers have a solid defense but their offense is still a work in progress in addition to being on the road.”