Account of just one win in four games has Steelers Nation in full discontent. Add to that the playoff debacle against Jacksonville last year and fan anger is increasing geometrically. Now the Steelers face a tricky bet on NFL matchup against another disappointing team. Atlanta was picked to contend for the playoffs but has lost three of four games. On the whole the Falcons have proven to be half a team as their defense has failed to support a good offense. Definitely both teams are in desperate need of a win. Indeed, the loser faces ugly prospects.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date and Time: Sunday, October 7, 2018, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bet on NFL odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | +3 (-101) | 57½ (-115) |  |
| Steelers | -3 (-119) | 57½ (-105) | |
| |||
Falcons vs. Steelers TV Coverage: FOX
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has a Bet on NFL record of 1-3 both straight up and vs. the line. Subsequently the Falcons have gone over the total in three of their four games. It follows that the Falcons have lost two in a row. Last week Cincinnati scored a 37-36 win in Atlanta. Summing up the Falcons defense ranks 30th in the NFL for points allowed. And defense was also the culprit in a week three 43-37 home loss to New Orleans.
Matt Ryan
Offensively Atlanta ranks sixth in the league for scoring. Extending that impressive rank is quarterback Matt Ryan. More emphatically Ryan has a 114.0 quarterback rating with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Julio Jones remains the top target with 29 receptions and 17.3 yards per catch. Additionally, Calvin Ridley has 17.6 yards per catch with six touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh limps in with an Offshore bookmaker record of 1-2-1 straight up and 1-3 vs. the odds. Besides that, the Steelers have gone over the total in three of their four games. Increasingly morale and belief are fading after last week’s 26-14 home loss to Baltimore. The Sunday night national TV debacle has triggered a crisis of faith with fans and gamblers. Fashion a Pittsburgh defense that ranks 30th overall in the NFL. Once upon a time this franchise had a defense named the “Steel Curtain.” Owing to that heritage makes today’s poor performance unacceptable to all.
Ben Roethlisberger
In view of a rushing offense that ranks 28th in the NFL too much of the Pittsburgh burden has fallen upon Ben Roethlisberger. Running back Le’Veon Bell’s holdout hasn’t helped. But the problems are far deeper than Bell. For one thing the offensive line is not creating enough openings for the backs. Accordingly, Roethlisberger’s production has decreased in trying to carry the team. To illuminate the Steelers quarterback has a 90.2 rating with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
Team vs. Team
Atlanta has dropped four of their last six vs. the line as road dogs. Following this is a mark of five of their last six in that role going under the total. Balanced against that is Pittsburgh’s recent mark of 0-6 vs. the spread as home chalks.
Matchup to Watch
In this Bet on NFL matchup the Falcons have the more complete offense. In view of both teams having weak defenses that should be the difference.
Falcons vs. Steelers Bet on NFL Picks
To conclude, the Steelers simply can’t be trusted as a chalk.
Falcons vs. Steelers Bet on NFL Pick: Atlanta Falcons
Falcons vs. Steelers Bet on NFL Score Prediction: Falcons 27, Steelers 20
Catch highlights of the Steelers bad home loss to Baltimore last week.