Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
22 August 2023
We continue to get closer to regular season NFL football, but there is still some work to be done in the preseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night for the final exhibition game of the year for each team.
Pittsburgh has looked terrific so far in the preseason, as they have picked up a pair of dominant wins. The Steelers are hoping to be a contender in the AFC North this season, and they have looked the part so far in the preseason.
Atlanta comes into this game with an overall record of 1-0-1 in the preseason, but they have struggled at times. The Falcons are not expected to be a playoff contender this season, but things can always change in a hurry.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4.5-point betting favorites over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
Steelers Soaring on Offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers have scored 27 points in each of their first two preseason games, and they will be hard to beat with that type of production. There has been great balance on offense for Pittsburgh through two games, and that will be the focus in this game as well.
Mason Rudolph is competing for the backup quarterback job with the Steelers, and he has been sharp when he has gotten on the field. Pittsburgh will be resting some key players in this game, but it’s a franchise with a ton of depth.
There have been some concerns on defense so far with the Steelers, but that shouldn’t be a huge concern in this game. Pittsburgh doesn’t want to win every game on offense, but it’s hard to fault that strategy right now.
Falcons Can’t Find Offense
The Atlanta Falcons have scored just 32 total points through two preseason games, and that might spell trouble this season. Atlanta is going to be playing a number of young players this season, and they aren’t ready to win games with any consistency.
Running back Godwin Igwebuike has been terrific for the Falcons in the preseason, as he has 27 carries for 131 yards. Atlanta might be willing to play some starters in this game, as they don’t really have anything to lose.
The defense for the Falcons has been great through two games, but they have played some bad offensive teams. This will be a big test for the Falcons on Thursday night, and you should expect to see them give up some big plays.
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh Punishes Atlanta in Preseason Finale
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 129.756; Atlanta 119.277
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 10 ½; 30
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 4 ½; 39
Predicted Final Score: Pittsburgh 20, Atlanta 10
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-4 ½); Under
Atlanta has been able to pick up a win already so far this preseason, but they haven’t looked like a team that can compete. The offense has been a mess for the Falcons throughout the preseason, and that is going to be the case in this one as well.
Pittsburgh has a number of players that are fighting for a roster spot, and those battles always make things more competitive in the preseason. The Steelers have been sharp in nearly every facet of the game, and that’s going to continue in this one.
Take the Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5 as they are able to cruise to a big win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
