Steelers vs. Falcons GAMEDAY: How to Watch, Betting Odds
The Pittsburgh Steelers travel south to play the Atlanta Falcons for the third and final game of each team's exhibition schedule. As both teams prepare for upcoming roster cuts before the Aug. 29 deadline, the theme of the night will be final evaluations for bubble players and those hoping to earn backup positions.
The Steelers are coming off preseason Game 2 - a 27-15 win over the Buffalo Bills - and are hoping for a strong finish to the exhibition season. With the Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Washington Commanders on Monday night, the Steelers now hold the longest active preseason winning streak in the NFL with six. A win on Thursday night would extend that to seven and keep it intact until next season.
The Falcons finished their matchup against the Bengals on Friday night with a 13-13 tie (there is no overtime in the preseason), and are looking hoping to build some momentum entering September.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder made his preseason debut on Friday as it rained yellow flags. Ridder led an impressive drive late in the game that resulted in a field goal with two seconds remaining that led to the tie. Penalties plagued the drive, and that's something that needs to be addressed before the regular season kicks off. The Falcons ended the game with 13 penalties for 102 yards.
Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams, a seventh-round pick from Alabama, enters Friday's game with a two-game interception streak. “He shows up when the lights are on,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “That's what he did at Alabama. He can find the football.”
WHAT: Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at Atlanta Falcons (1-0-1)
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (75,000)
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, 7:30 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: WAGA-TV Fox 5 / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
TICKETS: SI Tickets
BETTING: SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Steelers -4.5 (-111), Falcons +4.5 (-111)
TOTAL: 38.5 (o -111, u -111)
MONEYLINE: Steelers -225, Falcons +170
Follow Timm ‘IndyCarTim’ Hamm on Twitter and Instagram
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
