Cash in Against the Football Spread As Steelers Host Falcons in Regular Season Opener

Looking to cash in against the NFL football spread when the 2010 NFL regular season gets underway for most teams this Sunday?

Well, thanks to this informative pro football betting breakdown, NFL gambling buffs will have an excellent opportunity to do just that when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.

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Sunday, Sept. 12, 1:00 PM ET
Live from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA
TV: FOX
Radio: Sirius 126 and 153 XM

NFL Betting Odds
Atlanta Falcons -2½ -110
Pittsburgh Steelers +2½ -110
Over 38 -110
Under 38 -110
Moneyline
Falcons -135
Steelers +115

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The Falcons and Steelers both recorded identical 9-7 SU records in 2009 but each team managed to miss reaching the playoffs.

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Pittsburgh also posted a pitiful 5-10-1 ATS mark a year ago while the Falcons were absolutely beastly in cashing in against the NFL football spread, going a bankroll-boosting 11-5 ATS.

Here is a look at the key head-to-head trends surrounding this contest.

• Falcons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
• Underdog is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

Atlanta Falcons 411

• Falcons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
• Falcons are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games in Week 1.
• Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
• Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.

The Atlanta Falcons went 9-7 SU last season to earn second place in the NFC South despite not having starting running back Michael Turner at full strength nearly all season long and losing quarterback Matt Ryan for two other contests.

Atlanta alternated wins and losses this preseason while going 2-2 SU and ATS in the BetOnline Football Sportsbook and 1-3 against the NFL O/U total.

The Falcons went 3-1 SU against non-conference foes last season and should have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, led by Ryan, Turner, wideout Roddy White and Hall of Fame-bound tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Pittsburgh Steelers 411

• Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 1.
• Steelers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• Steelers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 home games.
• Steelers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games in September.

The Steelers came in third place in the AFC North last season, finishing behind the division-winning Bengals and tied with the Baltimore Ravens with nine wins.

Pittsburgh went 3-1 SU in games against non-conference foes but will not have starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger available for the first four games of the regular season as he sits out his league-mandated suspension.

The Steelers looked very strong in the preseason, going 3-1 SU and ATS, but Roethlisberger was available and played in each of those contests.

Analysis: The Steelers looked really cohesivein the preseason, but that was then – and as football fans everywhere likely know already, there is a big difference between preseason football and the regular season when the lights come on – and each team’s starters are playing the entire contest.

Having said that, I fully believe that Atlanta head coach Mike Smith is going to have his team more than ready to compete in this contest.

I’m sure Smith has been telling his team all week about how the teams needs to take advantage of the fact that Roethlisberger is out. I also believe the former Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator has added a few wrinkles just for Steelers’ young quarterback Dennis Dixon.

I really like the Falcons to come out with a stellar effort to beat the Steelers convincingly while cashing in against the NFL football spread odds – and the majority of key trends surrounding this matchup suggests that they will.

Atlanta has covered the football spread in four straight games against Pittsburgh while covering the NFL betting line in each of their last four games overall.

While the Steelers have racked up an impressive 4-1 ATS mark in their last five Week 1 contests, they’ve also compiled a bankroll-busting 0-6 ATS mark in their last six games in the month of September while the Falcons have been money in the bank in Week 1, going 10-2 ATS in their last 12 regular season openers.

Last but not least pro football gamblers, I like the fact that the Falcons have gone 4-1 ATS in their last five road games while the Steelers have gone 0-3-1 ATS in their last four home games.

Play Matt Ryan and company to get the job done on the road in this one as they cover the NFL football spread with room to spare.

BetOnline gamblers that like to play the O/U total should know that the Under is 5-1 in Atlanta’s last six Week 1 games while the Over has gone 7-1 in Pittsburgh’s last eight regular season openers.

Expert NFL Picks: Atlanta Falcons -2½ Points