We are back for the final game before the start of the regular season and the Pittsburgh Steelers will soon take the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against the Falcons. The new NFL schedule has a tradeoff, and teams with two away games in the preseason get that extra home game during the regular season since there are 17 total games on the schedule which is advantageous for the team this season.
The Falcons have already announced they plan to ‘park their starters’, and there is a gap week between the preseason and the start of the regular season, so it will be three long weeks in between when the Steelers’ starters play against another team’s starting unit. It feels a little disjointed, but I am sure teams appreciate having extra time to let offseason injuries heal.
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This is a big week for the backup centers. So far, nobody has really earned the job and the most likely candidate to be the backup (Nate Herbig) has been injured for a few weeks. The same is true for other positions, like the defensive line with multiple players fighting over the last roster spot or two. Breiden Fehoko, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravious Adams, and Armon Watts.
Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris are warming up. Maybe they will get another two to four drives depending on performance, but the worry there is that you have Kendrick Green starting at guard.
The final cutdown from 90 to 53. Some of these battles aren’t going to make the headlines, but there are at least 37 guys fighting for a job here or elsewhere.
START OF GAME
Mark Robinson committed a penalty on the return, so Pickett and the offense take over from the 7 yard line deep on their own end.
On 1st down, Pickett connected with Allen Robinson for a gain of two. Calvin Austin III went around the right end on second for a three yard play. On 3rd, Pickett with a beautiful throw to hit Diontae Johnson in stride for 33 yards.
On 1st down, Jaylen Warren picked up 6 yards running off tackle to the right. On 2nd, Najee Harris took the handoff up the middle for a gain of 12 yards. This offense is picking right back up where they left off in the previous two preseason games.
Kenny Pickett dialed up another long pass to George Pickens in front of his home Atlanta crowd for a beautiful 35 yard catch in traffic. Najee Harris plowed through the line for the one yard touchdown. 7-0 Steelers.
TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick are out there getting some work on with the first team defense.
On 1st down, Elandon Roberts crashed down into the backfield and notching a TFL for -4 yards. On 2nd, TJ Watt sacked Taylor Heinicke for a loss of 7. On 3rd, an incomplete pass to force the punt.
Calvin Austin III returned the punt 21 yards to the 29 yard line. Nearly back in the red zone already. I kind of want to see Pickett and the starters again. This game is starting to look very similar to last week already.
On 1st and 10, Kenny Pickett complete to Najee Harris for 16 yards. The next play, Najee Harris set it up with a 5 yard run, and Jaylen Warren scored with a 5 yard run of his own. 14-0 Steelers.
The Steelers’ starting offense has had five drives in this preseason and all five have been touchdowns. Electric.
Kwon Alexander filled the B gap effectively and brought down the runner for a gain of just one. Too many men of the field made it 2nd and 4, and Igwebuike picked up just three. Keeanu Benton and Montravius Adams in on the tackle. On 3rd, a lot of pressure and Heinicke was forced to throw the ball away. Calvin Austin III returned the punt 14 yards to the 25 yard line.
Kenny Pickett is done for the night. He has to have one of the highest QBR’s and Passer Ratings of any QB in preseason history.
Dan Moore Jr. is in at right tackle for this series. Mitch Trubisky in at quarterback. On 1st and 10, Trubisky complete to Connor Heyward for 16 yards. Anthony McFarland Jr. exploded up the left sideline for 26 yards.
Now in the redzone, Connor Heyward got the carry for 8 yards to the right. Two more Heyward runs makes it 3rd and 5 deep in enemy territory. Trubisky ran into the sack to force the field goal. 17-0 Steelers.
TJ Watt is done for the preseason now, but Highsmith is still in. Patrick Peterson shoved the catch out of bounds for a gain of 5 on 1st down. Keanu Neal stuffed the run for no gain on 2nd to set up 3rd and 5.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 17-0 STEELERS
Kwon Alexander tackled the catch at the sticks, but it was good for a fresh set of downs. On 1st and 10, Alexander stopped the run for no gain. On 2nd and 10, Markus Golden batted the pass down at the line of scrimmage. On 3rd, Keanu Neal and Levi Wallace limited the reception to just 5 yards to force the punt.
Calvin Austin III returned the punt 6 yards to the 24 yard line.
Anthony McFarland Jr. got carries on the first three plays of the drive and gained 13 total yards.
On 1st and 10, Trubisky with a short pass to Calvin Austin who turned upfield for 8 yards. McFarland was tackled behind the line of scrimmage on 2nd for a loss of two. 3rd and 5, Trubisky complete to Connor Heyward for 11 yards and another first down. That probably should have been a horse collar – dangerous looking tackle, but everyone seems okay.
Rodney Williams called for a false start on 1st and was yanked off the field right away. On 1st and 15, Connor Heyward got the carry for a loss of two. On 2nd and 17, Trubisky complete to Miles Boykin for a gain of 7. 3rd and 10, well outside of field goal range, Trubisky incomplete to Boykinn, but defensive holding bails out the drive.
McFarland rushed twice for four yards to make it 3rd and 6. The offense is 11 plays deep this drive alone. Heyward in the backfield, Trubisky with the deep attempt to Gunner Olszewski which was incomplete, but pass interference called on the Falcons.
On 1st and goal from the five yard line, Anthony McFarland rushed up the middle and fought through contact to burst just far enough to score. 24-0 Steelers.
Thats a 14 yard drive. It was aided by the two penalties, but that is still impressive.
The first big play of the game for the Falcons, a nice zone shot to Woodside for 26 yards. Kenny Robinson was in on the tackle as he tried to punch the ball loose.
Elandon Roberts with the delayed blitz on 1st to force the sack. 2nd and 24, Roberts in coverage to tackle the catch for just five yards. 3rd and 19, incomplete to Igwebuike with a collapsing pocket for Taylor Heinicke. The punt was fair caught by Calvin Austin III at the 12 yard line. A player out of bounds penalty on the punt coverage, so the punt will be re-done. Calvin Austin III tight roped up the sideline for 12 yards.
The Steelers offense will take over from the 29 yard line.
Greg Bell is playing running back now, but Trubisky remains the quarterback. They will probably let Mason Rudolph go for part of the second half.
Greg Bell caught one and ran one for 5 total yards on 1st and 2nd. On 3rd, Trubisky complete to Gunner Olszewski for 8 yard and a first down.
TWO MINUTE WARNING.
Trubisky scrambled for 24 yards and the Steelers called their first timeout. On 1st and 10, Trubisky missed Gunner Olszewski deep. On 2nd, a short pass to Greg Bell for 2 yards. On 3rd and 8, Trubisky was sacked for a loss of 6. He had plenty of time, so it was more of a coverage sack, but the pocket did collapse late. Timeout #1 called by Atlanta.
Pressley Harvin III’s first punt of the night went 35 yards and pinned the Falcons on their own 3 yard line. More amazing special teams play by the Steelers.
On 1st and 10, Loudermilk stuff the run for a gain of just 1. On 2nd, Kenny Robinson and Kwon Alexander in on the tackle on the 6 yard hitch. On 3rd and 3, Woodside complete to Arcega-Whiteside for a gain of 14. Timout #2 called by Atlanta.
END OF HALF: 24-0 STEELERS.
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