Mike Tomlin opened his 18th year in Pittsburgh by going down to Atlanta and leading the Steelers to a 18-10 win over the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Understanding the story of this game requires understand its backstory.
Look at what has happened since the Steelers closed the preseason against the Lions:
- Brandon Aiyuk resigned with the 49ers, negating a potential trade to Pittsburgh
- Isaac Seumalo, their best offensive lineman, injured a pec, ruling him out of the opener
- Russell Wilson re-injured his calf and was a game-time no go
That’s three blows to an offense that was already a question mark. But there’s another way of looking at it: The Steelers had the Falcons just where they wanted them.
No, this certainly wasn’t Mike Tomlin’s ideal situation going down to Atlanta. But it was one he and the team was prepared for. Everyone knew the Steelers offense would be work in progress early in the season.
The question was could the defense and special teams carry the Steelers while Arthur Smith’s offense found its footing? Against the Falcons both units answered with a resounding “Yes.”
Chris Boswell kicking 1 of his 6 Field goals. Photo Credit: AP via Tribune-Review
Holding Their Own on the Margins
Politics has been and will remain a verboten topic on Steel Curtain Rising. But we are in election season and from now until November both blue, purple and red pollsters will remind us: Elections are won on the margins.
- The same holds true for many football games.
- The Steelers win over the Falcons offers a perfect example.
The first 24 minutes against the Falcons featured one of the lowest octane games that you’ll ever see, as both offenses exchanged field goals and punts. DeShon Elliott gave the Steelers a shot at opening up the game with an interception of Kirk Cousins on Atlanta’s second possession, but Pittsburgh had to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal.
Things perked up with just under 4 minutes remaining in the half, as Atlanta put together an impressive 90 yard drive that ended with Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts to score a touchdown with just over 30 seconds remaining.
On the touchdown rookie Beanie Bishop appeared to botch his assignment by sticking too closely to his zone and allowing Pitts to get behind him in the end zone. He blinked, to use a Tomlinism.
- There were just 32 seconds left in the half. Would Mike Tomlin blink too?
During the Ben Roethlisberger era, this would have been a no-brainer. For all the grief Tomlin took over clock management, he always tried to put more points on the board in these situations. Most often, his offense succeeded.
However, with Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett helming Matt Canada’s offenses, Tomlin would often just play it safe. With Justin Fields Tomlin opted not to play it safe. Perhaps two chink and dink passes to Calvin Austin and Pat Freiermuth lent the illusion that Arthur Smith was calling this conservatively.
But on 1st and 10 from Pittsburgh’s 42, Justin Fields found George Pickens downfield for a 41-yard pass which brought them to Atlanta’s 25-yard line, giving Chris Boswell a chance to make his 3rd field goal of the day, which was “only” a 44 yarder.
The Steelers were still going into the locker room at halftime down, but they were down by only one point. But more importantly, they went into the locker room having grounded the Falcons momentum.
An Efficient, If Not Entirely Effective Offense
In his return to Atlanta, Arthur Smith fielded an offense that was efficient, if not entirely effective. Do it leave a lot for negative nitpickers to pick at? Absolutely:
- Zach Frazier and Justin Fields had two more fumble exchanges
- Fields gave up 2 sacks
- The attempt to run a reverse failed disastrously
- The offense only didn’t reach the Red Zone until just over 9 minutes remained in the game
- Inside the Red Zone the offense failed to convert on fourth down
- The Steelers didn’t even sniff a touchdown
Yes, Arthur Smith does leave Atlanta with ample opportunities to improve. But the evidence also makes it clear that he has a solid base to improve upon.
- Najee Harris authored a strong afternoon
- Cordarrelle Patterson flashed that he can give the offense a third option rushing
- 8 separate players caught balls, offering hope that the passing game won’t soley depend on George Pickens
- The Steelers were reasonably good on third downs
- Pittsburgh posted an 11-minute time of possession
- The Steelers protected the ball
Moreover, the Steelers remained committed to the run. That kept the Falcons defense honest, which allowed Fields to find Pickens for several long gains.
Defense Dominates, Special Teams Special
One of the downsides of watching a close game where your team’s offense is efficient but not necessarily effective is that it can mask an exceptional defensive performance. And the Steelers defense turned in a good performance in the first half before thoroughly dominating in the second half.
Cam Heyward and Montravius Adams fold up Kirk Cousins. Photo Credit: AP, via Tribune-Review
- Just how dominant were the Black and Gold?
- Well, if ESPN’s play-by-play stats are correct, they limited the Falcons to 31 yards in the 2nd half
T.J. Watt had two strip sacks taken away from him before closing the game with a sack the finally counted. Cam Heyward was stout at the line of scrimmage and should have been credited with a half sack that he and Montravius Adams logged. Alex Highsmith helped kill another drive by deflecting a pass. Keeanu Benton and Larry Ogunjobi helped keep the pressure on Kirk Cousins.
And just when Atlanta just might be mounting a comeback after the Steelers were forced to punt, Donte Jackson picked off Cousins and set the Steelers up for their final score.
But for as efficient as the offense as and for as much as the defense dominated, special teams were the difference maker for the Steelers.
Calvin Austin made some nice returns, and the Steelers punt gunners did a great job of covering Pittsburgh’s final punt.
- But Chris Boswell’s performance was not of this word.
Not only did he go 6-6 on field goals, but he knocked them in from 57, 51 and 56 yards. And when Cameron Johnston went down, Boswell stepped right in and booted a 43-yarder.
- Can the Steelers expect ride Chris Boswell’s leg all the way to their 7th Lombardi?
Of course not. But thanks to Boswell’s seemingly bionic leg and his nerves of steel, the Steelers have taken their first step in that direction and finish week one with the AFC North division lead.
