Falcons vs. Steelers odds, predictions: NFL week 1 best bets, picks
Post sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor Matt Ehalt is back for his third season in the NFL Bettor’s Guide. ***Editor’s note: This story ran in the Sept.11 edition of The Post with the spread shifting to the Steelers favored by 4.5 points, and the line bumped to 5.5 or higher Friday afternoon with the news of Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa being ruled out due to an oblique injury he suffered.
An alternative spread of the Steelers laying 3.5 points comes at a -155 price at BetMGM.Our confidence in the Steelers stems from our lack of belief in Tua Tagovailoa.There may not have been a less scintillating quarterback “battle” during training camp than the Falcons’ contest pitting Tagovailoa, the Dolphins flameout, against Michael Penix Jr.A torn ACL prevented Penix from truly having a chance at this role, and that means the Falcons will trot out Tagovailoa and hope he has anything left in the tank.The 28-year-old provided uninspiring tape during camp after back-to-back underwhelming years with Miami, and now gets to open the season on the road against a solid Steelers defense.Sure, he has Bijan Robinson and Drake London, but the Steelers can sell out to stop Robinson while not fearing that London is going to exploit them due to Tagovailoa’s weaknesses.We also can attempt to capitalize on Tagovailoa’s well-known road struggles from his time with Miami, with former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin damningly noting earlier this week how the former Alabama star’s trip to Pittsburgh last season led to him being benched.On the other side, we have a new Steelers offense being orchestrated by Mike McCarthy.This isn’t the MVP-level McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers combination of their Packers years, but McCarthy still knows how to run an effective offense that is best suited to highlight Rodgers’ strengths.The Steelers have solid playmakers with receivers Michael Pittman Jr.and DK Metcalf and the backfield combination of Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren.Catch...