NFL Week 5: Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Recap

Brook Ward via Flickr

NFL

Week 5: Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Review

In a game between two teams desperate for a win, the Pittsburgh Steelers came away with a dominant 41-17 victory. The Pittsburgh Steelers now have a 2-2-1 record while the Atlanta Falcons fall to 1-4.

Coming into the week everyone expected this game to be a shootout, but with the Steelers defense showing up, this game quickly got out of hand. In TSJ’s football recap, we take a look at how this matchup got ugly fast.

First Quarter

Pittsburgh opened the game with the ball, and they had no issues scoring fast. The Steelers were clearly set on getting James Conner started early as he accounted for 78 yards and a touchdown on the first drive.

Kicker Chris Boswell would go on to miss the extra point leaving the score 6-0. Atlanta would gain three first downs on their opening drive before being forced to punt following a sack. Atlanta’s Matt Bosher did an excellent job pinning the Steelers back at their own three-yard line. Poor field position would not stop the Steelers as they orchestrated a 97-yard touchdown drive.

Atlanta responded quickly, as quarterback Matt Ryan hit wide receiver Mohamed Sanu on a slant route that went for a 43-yard touchdown.

The Falcons would nail the extra point making the score 13-7. Pittsburgh’s following drive went nowhere as they went three and out, punting back to Atlanta. The Falcons would once again drive downfield, this time aided by Steelers penalties. Atlanta’s drive would go for 50 yards; however, 20 would come from Steelers penalties.

The drive would stall at Pittsburgh’s 29-yard line ending with a Matt Bryant 47-yard field goal making the score 13-10. Both the Steelers and the Falcons would trade three and outs before Pittsburgh would get one last chance to score before the half.

Pittsburgh started this drive from the Atlanta 40 yard line getting all the way down to the Falcons seven-yard line. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tried to force one to Antonio Brown in the end zone and was intercepted by defensive back Damontae Kazee.

Atlanta would run the clock out to end the half, Pittsburgh winning 13-10.

Third Quarter

The Falcons would start the third quarter gaining only 18 yards before punting back to the Steelers. Pittsburgh would get their offense back on track going for an 85-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would finally get on track with Antonio Brown, connecting in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown.

Chris Boswell would hit the extra point giving Pittsburgh a 20-10 lead. Atlanta’s ensuing drive would be a three and out resulting in a blocked punt.

The Steelers would take over after the block at the Falcons 18-yard line. Pittsburgh wasted little time, getting into the end zone behind a two-yard touchdown run by James Conner. The quarter would end with the Atlanta Falcons driving downfield with the Steelers up 27-10.

Fourth Quarter

Atlanta would open the quarter continuing their drive, resulting in a two-yard touchdown run by running back Ito Smith. Matt Bryant would hit the extra point making the score 27-17. The Steelers would answer back fast, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would hit Antonio Brown for a 47-yard touchdown.

Fantasy Implications

Atlanta

The Falcons had a very lackluster offensive performance, with only two players scoring over ten fantasy points. Quarterback Matt Ryan ended the day with 285 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one fumble and 14 fantasy points.

Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu cashed in on a big touchdown, ended the day with four receptions for 73 yards, one touchdown and 13 fantasy points. The Falcons running game was virtually nonexistent as both Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman combined for only 15 carries for 47 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Julio Jones was also held in check for most of the game only getting five receptions for 62 yards, 0 touchdowns and six fantasy points.

Steelers

Pittsburgh’s offense was firing on all cylinders giving a plethora of great fantasy performances. No player put up more point than running back James Conner as he went for 25 touches, 185 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 30 fantasy points. Antonio Brown also got back on track ending the game with six receptions for 101 yards, two touchdowns and 22 fantasy points.

Ben Roethlisberger also had a solid game going for 250 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception and 21 fantasy points. One player who had a quiet game was tight end Vance McDonald who only caught one pass for six yards.

Final Observations

Atlanta Falcons

With Atlanta desperately needing a win, getting dominated by Pittsburgh has to leave a nasty taste in their mouth. Although the game was close going into halftime, Pittsburgh would outscore the Falcons 28-7 in the second half.

The Falcons had very few positives on offense and found themselves continuing to struggle on defense. Atlanta will return home with a 1-4 record looking to get a win versus their divisional counterpart the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh came into this game with a million questions needing to be answered and silenced almost all of them. Pittsburgh’s offense was rolling, led by running back James Conner who controlled this game for the Steelers. Although the Steelers offense was on fire today, the biggest story is how well the defense performed.

Pittsburgh’s defense held Atlanta to its second-lowest point total this season. The Steelers’ pass rush was also highly effective getting six sacks led by T.J. Watt who had three. Watt would put his stamp on this game leading the defense in almost every category.

The Steelers got back on track with this win, now have a 2-2-1 record heading into Week 6. Pittsburgh will travel to Cincinnati next week to play against the division-leading Cincinnati Bengals.

Photo Credit

Featured Image courtesy of Brook Ward

 

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