The Steelers stack wins for the first time this season, following last week’s victory in Indianapolis with a 19-16 W in the Falcons’ trap this afternoon.
For the second week in a row K Matthew Wright was the beneficiary of a doinked field goal attempt. As I quipped on twitter, he is the golfer in the foursome who refuses every lesson and tip because he thinks he’s learned to “control” his hook.
My guy CB Cam Sutton had a PBU and two tackles (including on 3rd down to force a punt) on Atlanta’s opening drive. He added a QB pressure on the next drive with a nickel blitz that nearly lead to an INT and broke up a woulda-been TD on their third possession.
Although the Steelers scored on their opening drive, it took converting 4/5 3rd downs to march into field goal range. Their next showing was much cleaner, converting four straight 2nd downs. After a Diontae drop on 3rd down Wright’s number was called again. He put this 46-yarder right down the middle, but not without his signature right-to-left bite. 6-0 PIT
HB Najee Harris – who was not expected to play (oblique) – has spoken about the struggles for guys his size trying to run and cut on natural grass. The dome environment apparently agreed with him; he had 51 yards and three first downs on 10 total touches in the first half.
OLB TJ Watt was also questionable (ribs, pec, knee) but he was out there dipping around a hapless RT for a TFL on the Falcons’ second drive. He then made a Marcus Mariota sandwich with DE Cam Heyward on 3rd down to force a 50-yard FG attempt. DT Larry Ogunjobi came through the A-gap and nearly blocked the kick, by the way. 6-3 PIT
TE Connor Heyward finished the drive with a vertical route from 20 out, but TE Pat Freiermuth reprised the “Vanimal” role with this 50-yard catch-and-rumble to set up the strike.
Atlanta tacked on another FG (13-6 PIT) but Pittsburgh continued their pattern of answering points with points. After converting this 48-yarder, Wright was a flawless 9/9 – 3/3 in each of the three games since missing a pair of FG’s in his first game as a Steeler (Saints). 16-6 PIT
After a quick five-and-out (and a nice play in coverage from the ever-dangerous FS Minkah Fitzpatrick) Pittsburgh got another chance with :30 seconds left. They elected to run it once and clock it out to the locker room with their two-score lead.
SS Terrell Edmunds saved the Steelers’ defense from surrendering a TD on the inaugural play of the second half. He was seen on the sideline with his helmet on when we returned from commercial and was back on the field a play later.
It was about that time I got into it on Twitter with someone and missed Wright’s fourth FG and an Atlanta TD. But I believe it to be worth it:
Shortly thereafter a short completion to WR Diontae Johnson ended up on the ground and appeared to be a turnover in critical field position. After review it was ruled Johnson didn’t complete the catch and Pittsburgh was afforded the privilege to punt the ball away…but not before we were treated to this bit of drama from a frustrated Pickens:
The Steelers’ defense was starting to show signs of body blow fatigue. They forced the Falcons into a 4th&1; TJ pursued a sweep from the back-side and got a shoestring but the runner fell forward for the first down. A few plays later it appeared Cordarrelle Patterson had his second TD of the day but a holding penalty negated the score and gave Pittsburgh more blades to defend. CB Arthur Maulet saved a TD on 3rd down matched up with [first-round draft pick] Drake London in the end zone. Atlanta settled for another FG. 19-16 PIT
Diontae quieted his haters with a tough catch-and-run for a 1st down just on the other side of the two-minute warning and Atlanta had to start calling timeouts. The naked boot didn’t fool them on 3rd down. P Presley Harvin III pinned them down on their own two yard line with :42.
One snap later, Minkah called game with his fourth INT of the year. Victory Formation: how sweet it is.
FINAL SCORE: 19-16 PIT
Steely Cam 