Steelers defense showed up when it mattered most vs Falcons
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Atlanta Falcons 19-16 in a slow-paced game in which third-down defensive drives and punishing offensive drives made the difference for Mike Tomlin's team. To start each of the halves, Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense executed two drives of at least 14 plays that consumed almost seven minutes and thirty […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Atlanta Falcons 19-16 in a slow-paced game in which third-down defensive drives and punishing offensive drives made the difference for Mike Tomlin's team.
To start each of the halves, Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense executed two drives of at least 14 plays that consumed almost seven minutes and thirty seconds each. While they failed to score a touchdown in either of those, it played to the hands of the defense.
Although the Falcons offense averaged 5.8 yards per play, the Steelers were dominant in third down. The Cam Heyward-led defense allowed only three conversions in 10 third-down attempts.
The star defensive tackle was a huge part of those efforts as he sacked Marcus Mariota on third-and-thirteen.
Heyward also recorded one pass deflection and had one of the best moments of the game on the sidelines, when the TV broadcast showed him encouraging a frustrated George Pickens.
Defensive backs Cam Sutton and Minkah Fitzpatrick also had a pass deflection each for the Steelers.
The Steelers gave up yardage, sure, but only allowed two trips to the red zone and only one TD conversion.
When called upon to close out the game, the special teams unit also came through. Punter Pressley Harvin buried Mariota's offense at their own two-yard line, leading to a Minkah Fitzpatrick interception to seal the game and hand the Steelers their fourth win of the season.
Steelers' play of the game
Pat Freiermuth had the offensive play of the game as he made a crucial third-down catch and shook off two defenders for a 57-yard catch and the biggest play of the game.
Featured image via Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
