ATLANTA – Who says that defense and a strong running game can’t still be successful in the NFL?
That’s how the Steelers secured a win in their season-opener against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.
The final score of 18-10 doesn’t accurately reflect how the Steelers played against the Falcons. They forced them to submit through physical force.
Atlanta gained 175 yards in total offense during the first half and converted 2 out of 4 third down attempts. During the latter half, the Falcons had 21 plays accumulating 51 yards and failed to convert on all 5 third down attempts.
In the meantime, the Steelers offense was gaining yards through rushing despite not scoring touchdowns.
The Steelers’ 41 carries for 137 yards fail to accurately represent how they controlled the game against the Falcons.
In the first half, Najee Harris ran the ball six times for a total of 23 yards. He completed 20 rushing attempts for a total of 70 yards, most of them occurring in the fourth quarter against stacked defensive formations.
The Steelers collectively ran for 88 yards in the second half, exhausting the Falcons and preventing their offense from getting on the field for extended periods.
“Definitely,” responded Spencer Anderson, a second-year guard, as he made his debut start alongside rookie center Zach Frazier. “They were somewhat exhausted.” Certain statements were made such as, ‘Hey, can we try a passing play?’ As offensive linemen, we decided to continue punishing the opposition. I am unsure of the exact amount we had on the ground, but we did a good job executing our game plan.
Give recognition to Arthur Smith, the newly appointed offensive coordinator, for devising a game strategy and adhering to it.
It is difficult to achieve this task while focusing on kicking field goals, totaling six, rather than scoring touchdowns. However, knowing that your defense is also performing well can definitely simplify things.
When you have a backup quarterback like Justin Fields, playing him is the key to winning, even if he is talented.
“It has to be,” stated defensive tackle Cam Heyward. “We discuss the importance of converting on third down as a defensive strategy.” I believe it all boils down to how it is carried out. In the beginning, it was mainly about experimenting and finding a groove. After we became familiar with their actions, we started to adapt and get comfortable.
That made the Steelers’ strategy of focusing on running the ball easier to accept. Despite having some successful plays in the first half, the Falcons were unable to maintain a consistent performance. They were unable to achieve it in the second half when T.J. Watt dominated the game.
“Watt is a game wrecker,” stated new cornerback Donte Jackson. Being able to step onto the field with players like these is truly a gift. It allows you to go out and contribute in your own way.
Take responsibility for your actions.
