Atlanta @ Pittsburgh preview
Heinz Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2017 ) Atlanta 13, Pittsburgh 17
A pair of teams that entered the season with high hopes find themselves in desperate need of a victory when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. It’s a matchup of two of the NFL’s most prolific passing games – and two of the league’s softest pass defenses.
The Steelers seemingly have been plagued by something different each week – six turnovers in a season-opening tie at Cleveland, a suspect secondary in a Week 2 loss to Kansas City and a punchless offense in last week’s 26-14 setback against Baltimore. “It’s been a number of things, and that’s what we are searching for. We are searching for a winning level of consistency across all areas,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin told reporters. “That’s what is required to win in this league on a consistent basis.” Each of Atlanta’s four games has been decided by seven points or fewer, and the three losses have come by a total of 13. The Falcons have allowed the tying or winning score in the final three minutes of regulation in each of their defeats.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Steelers -3. O/U: 58
ABOUT THE FALCONS (1-3): Atlanta’s ground game should get a boost from the return of running back Devonta Freeman, who has been sidelined since the first half of the season opener with a knee injury. The offense isn’t the side of the ball where the Falcons need help, though, as Matt Ryan has passed for 1,316 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions while taking advantage of a dynamic receiving corps led by Julio Jones. The defense has been decimated by injuries, with three starters on injured reserve, and faces another tough test against Pittsburgh’s passing attack.
ABOUT THE STEELERS (1-2-1): Ben Roethlisberger leads the league with 1,414 passing yards, but the bad news for the Steelers is it’s due in large part to the defense’s shortcomings. Pittsburgh has found itself playing catch-up too often, and the offense also has leaned on the pass a bit more with star running back Le’Veon Bell holding out for a new contract. The defense has been torched for an average of 451 total yards over the last three games.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Jones will be playing in his 100th career game and already has more receiving yards (9,556) and 100-yard performances (41) than any NFL player has recorded through 100 contests.
2. Pittsburgh WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has topped 100 receiving yards in four of his last five games dating to last season.
3. Falcons WR Calvin Ridley has six touchdown receptions – the most in NFL history for a rookie in his first four games.
PREDICTION: Steelers 30, Falcons 28