Steelers vs. Falcons Prediction: Kenny Pickett Will Outduel Marcus Mariota
By Josh Yourish
Is Kenny Pickett the real deal?
That’s the question that a lot of people were asking themselves after the Steelers’ 24-17 win over the Colts on Monday Night Football.
He’ll have another chance to prove himself as an NFL quarterback this weekend against a team in desperate need of just that. The Steelers are 4-7, but as their schedule lightens up they are by now means out of it. Unless they lose to the 5-7 Falcons, who aren’t out of the race for the NFC South either.
Surprisingly this matchup of 4-7 vs. 5-7 will hold a lot of significance down the stretch of the NFL season.
Steelers vs. Falcons Odds, Spread and Total
Steelers vs. Falcons Odds, Spread and Total Movement in NFL Week 13
The Steelers opened as 2.5 point favorites on the road and are now just 1 point favorites in most books. The way it is moving, Pittsburgh could be an underdog by kick-off on Sunday.
Steelers vs. Falcons Prediction and Best Bet
These are two of the worst passing offenses in the NFL. The Steelers allow 266.7 passing yards a game, the second worst, and the Falcons give up 255.6, good for fifth worst. The bigger issues lie in the amount of explosive passes that these defenses allow.
Explosive receptions allowed. Steelers vs Falcons on Sunday #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/Qgfg4hcTY4
— Steelers Depot 7⃣🎄🎅 (@Steelersdepot) December 1, 2022
Both defenses are susceptible, but only one of these two offenses is capable of taking advantage. It’s not Marcus Mariota and the Falcons, it’s Kenny Pickett, because the rookie is legit. The numbers don’t show how good he was on Monday Night Football, going 20/28 for 174 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.
That doesn’t begin to tell the story of his night. Diontae Johnson and George Pickens both got their hands on passes in the end zone, but couldn’t bring them down for a TD. Pickett led a crucial fourth quarter drive and made big time NFL throws to close out the game. Don’t believe me, just listen to Dan Orlovsky.
You’ve gotta be so encouraged if you’re the @steelers
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 29, 2022
Big-time Ball KP pic.twitter.com/vIrRAvi9FH
The Steelers looked dead, and I don’t think that they will make the playoffs this year, but I’m so incredibly encouraged about Kenny Pickett that I couldn’t possibly bet against my guy this week.
Pick: Steelers -1 (-107)
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change