Steelers at Falcons (+1) – 42 total
In a weekend full of headline grabbing matchups… this is not one of them. The Steelers will travel down to Atlanta and look to build on their recent run of solid performances, while the Falcons will aim to pick up a home win that keeps them firmly in playoff contention.
It may just be my George Pickens bias showing, but I have been encouraged by what the Steelers have done in recent weeks. Their last three games have resulted in wins over the Saints and Colts on either side of a one-score loss to the Bengals (a game the Steelers led at halftime). They definitely aren’t a juggernaut, but the bar was low after their 1-5 start.
The big question in this game is whether or not Najee Harris will be available. Although he avoided serious injury, reports are that he is truly questionable for this week. If he sits, it’s best to assume Jaylen Warren and Benny Snell will split work unless we hear otherwise. Among the pass catchers, Pat Freiermuth should be locked into your lineup while Pickens and Diontae Johnson are in the WR3 conversation.
When the Falcons have the ball, we will get to see what happens when a very stoppable force meets an easily moveable object. Atlanta’s 31st ranked passing offense might actually have success against a Pittsburgh defense that has allowed the most points to opposing WRs on the season. If we’re lucky, Arthur Smith might even let Marcus Mariota throw the ball 30 times, but I’m not holding my breath.
With Kyle Pitts out for the year there should be even more opportunity for Drake London to turn his season around after failing to top 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 3. If you’ve been starting Cordarrelle Patterson, you can feel good about rolling him out this week, while Tyler Allgeier is a TD-dependent flex option in 12+ team leagues.
I see why Vegas has essentially made this game a pick-em. Atlanta is at home and has more to play for this year, but the Steelers have been playing their best football in recent weeks. Both teams will be without a key offensive weapon but should be able to have success against the opposing defense. If I had to choose, I like the Steelers in this one, but that is a low confidence prediction.
