Defenses and races
TJ Watt (1 sack and 2 tackles for loss) waited a long time for his action during this game. And to symbolize this meeting, it will be the last one with a sack on the Falcons quarterback. The defenses dominated the offensive squads and the Steelers was the best. With three turnovers, the pressure on Kirk Cousins (16/26, 1 TD, 2 INT) was constant. The Steelers offense stayed on the field for 35:36 mins, compared to the Falcons' 24:24 mins.
Both teams' offensive play relied primarily on the ground. It's the Arthur Smith touch! 41 of the Steelers' 58 plays were on the ground and on the Falcons' side, Bijan Robinson had 18 carries for 68 yards compared to 16 receptions, including five for Robinson.
Steelers or Falcons: aerial attacks not very reassuring
For both teams, the offense was not reassuring in the first half. Kirk Cousins and the Falcons were put under pressure. And during the second drive, he was intercepted by DeShon Elliott (1 INT). But finally, just before halftime, Cousins found Kyle Pitts for the first touchdown of the game. A touchdown that could have never happened, because on the previous play TJ Watt made a sack with a fumble recovery on the Falcons quarterback. This play was useless, because the Steelers' edge rusher was penalized for a false start.
The Falcons' leading receiver is Ray-Ray McCloud III (56 yards) well ahead of Kyle Pitts (26 yards and 1 TD) and Drake London (15 yards).
Justin Fields, who started because of Russell Wilson's shoulder injury, fumbled on his first play. From then on, his game consisted of runs (57 yards), short passes and quick plays with George Pickens (85 yards).
Steelers defense ends game
There were only nine points for Pittsburgh and zero for Atlanta during the second half. With 2:47 left in the game, Donte Jackson (1 INT, 49 yards) intercepted Kirk Cousins for the second time in the game and ended the game. The Steelers then ran the clock for a final field goal by Chris Boswell (6/6, including a 57-yarder). As a symbol, the Falcons' last offensive ended with a sack by that devil TJ Watt.
