Steelers

Steelers GameDay Preview: at Atlanta

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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The six-time Super Bowl champions are a franchise that considers excellence the only standard, and their fans expect nothing less than hard hitting, top notch football. This is the ultimate Steelers GameDay Preview that all followers of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with the Plan of Attack, The Scoop and score prediction, Game Day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons

NFL Week 13

Game-time: Sunday, December 4th, 1:00 PM

  • Vegas line: Pittsburgh -1

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.

  • Field: Field Turf

Plan of Attack

Offense

  • Pound the ball: This is another great game for the Steelers run game to be trending upward. Utilize the run off the strong legs of Najee Harris, Jaylon Warren, and hell, even Benny Snell who ran very well last week. Success in the rushing attack will open up some coverage for Kenny Pickett to hit some open receivers.
  • Touchdowns, not field goals: Kenny Pickett needs to up his game in the red zone and start getting the ball into the endzone via the pass. It would also help if his receivers didn’t drop passes in the endzone.

Defense

  • Shutdown Falcons run game: The Falcons love to run the ball, so it will be up to the front seven to be a the top of their game and shutdown the legs of Marcus Mariotta, Tyson Allegeire, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Force Mariotta to beat you via the pass. When he does drop back to pass, pressure by Watt and Highsmith are a must.

 

The Scoop

If you like old style physical football, this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium should be a doozy between the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) and Atlanta Falcons (5-7). The game will be live on TV but you can also watch the Steelers online.

The Steelers have a resurgent rushing attack the past three games, going for 172 vs the Colts, 102 vs the Bengals, and 217 against the Saints. Entering week 13, the Falcons have the 4th best rushing team in the NFL, averaging 160 yards per game.

Najee Harris will play, despite leaving last week’s game vs the Colts and spending time in the hospital, and not practicing Wednesday or Thursday.

Perhaps Mr. Miyagi paid him a visit.

Jaylon Warren is questionable, but if he plays, he should see a healthy amount of carries, as should Benny Snell.

The Falcon’s Cordarrelle Patterson is back healthy, and is ready to lead Atlanta’s backfield in carries, and also plans to test Pittsburgh’s return teams when he lines up to return punts and kicks.

“What a dynamic return man he is,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of the dynamic back. “The field-position component of play, his resume, what he has been, man, he needs no endorsement from me. It’s just been nothing short of special. We’ve got to minimize his impact on the game, and that’s no easy task.”

It would behoove Matt Wright, who has kicking duties with Chris Boswell out, to kick the ball out of the endzone on kickoffs, as Patterson is averaging 33.5 yards per return.

The Steelers defense will also have their hands full with Atlanta QB Marcus Mariota, who is far more dangerous running than when dropping back to pass.

T.J. Watt, who is questionable, and Alex Highsmith, will need to get plenty of pressure to keep this game low scoring in their favor.

“He’s strong, he can shake guys off, he’s decisive when he runs and he can still accelerate,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “In the run game, that is what makes him good. When he gets outside the pocket and can find some guys down the field, he can throw on the move.”

Despite being 5-7, the Falcons are beneficiaries of being in the league’s worst division, and only trail Tampa for the division lead by a half game.

Pittsburgh will be looking to put a damper on those division crown hopes, and keep their slim playoff dreams alive with a 2nd consecutive win.

Kenny Pickett will look to continue trending his game upward vs a beatable Atlanta secondary that is ranked 28th worst in the NFL.

Pickett looked good in the first half, but both he and the offense disappeared for most of the 2nd half before a clutch go-ahead drive in the 4th quarter.

“We weren’t executing at a high level,” Pickett said. “In a big-time moment, we came together and put together one of our best drives of the season, converting third downs, moving the ball really well, finishing in the red zone and adding a 2-point conversion to that.

“There were a lot of positives there.”

I like the Steelers to keep the Falcons running game under control, while forcing a few turnovers out of Mariota via the pass rush.

Look for Pittsburgh to pound the ball with Harris, Warren, and Snell, setting up Pickett to hit some deep balls and possibly have the best day of his young career.

Prediction: Steelers 27 Falcons 17

Game Day Information

TV: CBS (Local: KDKA-TV)

  • Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play) Andrew Catalon (analyst) | N/A (sideline)

Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM

  • Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)

National Radio: N/A

  • Announcers: 

Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com

 

Weather at kickoff: Dome

NFL Links

 

Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall record: 4-7 (4th in AFC North)

Last game: Steelers 24 Colts 17

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin

  • 15th Season with Steelers
  • Overall regular-season record: 158-92-2
  • Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)

Team Links

 

Steelers Offense

Offensive Stats

  • Points per game: 17.6
  • Total yards per game: 332
  • Passing yards per game: 218.4
  • Rushing yards per game: 113.6

 

Quarterback

Kenny Pickett | #8

Has had his ups and downs as a rookie starter, but it’s hard to gauge his progress in an offense designed for junior high school. Starting to look better as the season progresses. Has protected the ball well, but would be nice to see some touchdown passes as soon as possible.

  • Passing Yards: 1,600 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 8 | Sacked: 23 | Rushing Yards: 195 | Rushing TD’s: 3

Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10

  • Passing Yards: 797 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 9 | Rushing Yards: 29 | Rushing TD’s: 1

 

Running Backs

Najee Harris | #22

Harris is finally playing up to the standards so many expected of him in his 2nd season. Was injured in Colts game, but is back at full strength this week.

  • Rushing Yards: 585 | Rushing TD’s: 4 | Receptions: 29 | Receiving Yards: 142 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Jaylon Warren* | #30

Good change of pace back when he comes in for relief of Harris. Runs hard and hits the hole going downhill. If Harris is out, would get the majority of carries.

  • Rushing Yards: 190 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 137 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Benny Snell | #44

Looked good in first action all year, Snell answered the door when opportunity knocked. 

  • Rushing Yards: 62 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Derek Watt | #44

  • Rushing Yards: 11 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 8 | Receiving TD’s: 1

 

Wide Receivers

Diontae Johnson | #18

Isn’t having the type of production you’d expect from an 18 million dollar a year receiver, but Matt Canada’s offense fails to put him in position to succeed. Has yet to find the endzone, and dropped a sure TD last week vs Colts.

  • Receptions: 56 | Receiving Yards: 505 | Receiving TD’s: 0

George Pickens | #14

A soon to be force in the NFL. Pickens has already made one of the greatest catches of 2022 and when the team has a true OC, will become the best receiver on the team. 

  • Receptions: 36 | Receiving Yards: 510 | Receiving TD’s: 2

 Myles Boykin | #82

  • Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Steven Sims | #13

  • Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 23 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Gunner Olszewski | #89

  • Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 43 | Receiving TD’s: 0

 

Tight Ends

Pat Friermuth | #88

One of the better tight ends in the game, is 2nd on the team with 47 receptions.

  • Receptions: 47 | Receiving Yards: 521 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Zach Gentry | #81

  • Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 96 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Conner Heyward | #83

  • Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 76 | Receiving TD’s: 0

*Injured/Out

 

Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)

Defensive Stats

  • Points per game allowed: 23.7
  • Total offense yards per game allowed: 367.7
  • Passing yards allowed: 263.7
  • Rushing yards allowed: 104
  • Sacks: 22
  • Interceptions: 13

 

Defensive Starters

DE: Cam Heyward #97 | DT: Montravius Adams #57 | DE: Larry Ogunjobi #99

  • Heyward has 42 tackles and four sacks. 

OLB: T.J. Watt #90 | ILB: Devin Bush #55 | ILB: Myles Jack #51| OLB: Alex Highsmith #56

  • Highsmith leads the team with 10 sacks. Jack leads the team with 88 tackles. Bush is 2nd on team with 62 tackles. 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt has 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two INT’s.

CB: Levi Wallace #29 | SS: Terrell Edmunds #34 | FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick #39/Damontae Kazee #23 | CB: Cameron Sutton #20

  • Fitzpatrick is 3rd on the team with 55 tackles, and a team leading three interceptions. Sutton has two INT’s, while Wallace has three. Damontae Kazee will see plenty of snaps and has six tackles and one interception.

 

Steelers Special Teams

Placekicker

Matthew Wright | #4

  • Extra Points: 6-6
  • Field Goals: 8-10
  • 1-19 yards: 0-0
  • 20-29 yards: 1-1
  • 30-39 yards: 4-5
  • 40-49 yards: 2-3
  • 50+ yards: 1-1

Chris Boswell* | #9

One of the best clutch kickers in the game, but is out.

  • Extra Points: 9-9
  • Field Goals: 12-16
  • 1-19 yards: 0-0
  • 20-29 yards: 3-3
  • 30-39 yards: 2-3
  • 40-49 yards: 2-4
  • 50+ yards: 5-6

Kickoff Returners

Steven Sims | #13

  • Average: 25.6 | TD Returns: 0

 

Punt Returner

Steven Sims | #13

  • Average: 7.0 | TD Returns: 0

 

Scouting the Atlanta Falcons

Overall record: 5-7 (2nd in NFC South)

Last game: Falcons 27 Bears 24

Head Coach: Arthur Smith

  • 2nd Season with Atlanta
  • Overall regular-season record: 12-17
  • Playoff record: 0-0

Team Links

 

Falcons Offense

Offensive Stats

  • Points per game: 22.7
  • Total Offense per game: 330.5
  • Passing yards per game: 170.5
  • Rushing yards per game: 160

 

Quarterback

Marcus Mariota | #1

Not exactly Joe Montana throwing the ball, Mariota is best when getting out of the pocket and running the ball.

  • Passing Yards: 2,046 | TD Passes: 14 | INT’s: 8 | Sacked: 27 | Rushing Yards: 421 | Rushing TD’s: 4

Back-up: Desmond Ridder | #4

  • Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0 | Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Running Backs

Tyson Allegeire | #25

The young back has shown some promise, but has yet to have a breakout game.

  • Rushing Yards: 552 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 87 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Cordarrelle Patterson | #84

The versatile back is coming off an injury and looks to get back to being the primary weapon in the Falcon’s attack. Extremely dangerous in open space.

  • Rushing Yards: 506 | Rushing TD’s: 5 | Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 65 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Caleb Huntley | #42

  • Rushing Yards: 347 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Avery Williams | #35

  • Rushing Yards: 83 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 35 | Receiving TD’s: 0

 

Receivers

Olamide Zaccheaus | #17

  • Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 465 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Drake London | #5

The rookie leads the team with 41 receptions and four touchdown catches.

  • Receptions: 41 | Receiving Yards: 438 | Receiving TD’s: 4

Damiere Byrd | #14

Byrd may not catch many passes, but when he does, it goes for long yardage, as he is averaging 25.4 yards per catch.

  • Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 229 | Receiving TD’s: 2

KhaDarel Hodge | #12

  • Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 197 | Receiving TD’s: 1

 

Tight Ends

Kyle Pitts* | #8

  • Receptions: 28 | Receiving Yards: 356 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Parker Hesse | #46

  • Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 59 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Anthony Firkser | #86

  • Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 55 | Receiving TD’s: 3

MyCole Pruitt | #85

  • Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 34 | Receiving TD’s: 3

*Injured/out

 

Falcons Defense (Base 3-4) 

Defensive Stats

  • Points per game allowed: 24.4
  • Total offense yards per game allowed: 383.1
  • Passing yards allowed: 255.6
  • Rushing yards allowed: 127.5
  • Sacks: 17
  • Interceptions: 10

 

Defensive Starters

DE: Matt Dickerson #91 | DT: Abdullah Anderson #98 | DE: Grady Jarrett #97

  • Jarrett has 5.5 sacks and 44 tackles.

OLB: Adetokunbo Ogundeje #92 | MLB: Mykal Walker #3 | MLB: Rashaan Evans #54 | OLB: Lorenzo Carter #9

  • Evans leads the team with 119 tackles. Walker is 2nd with 93, and has one sack and two INT’s. Carter has three sacks.

CB: A.J. Terrell #24 | SS: Jaylinn Hawkins #32 | FS: Richie Grant #27 | CB: Darren Hall #34

  • Grant is 3rd on the team with 81 tackles and two interceptions. Hawkins has two interceptions.

 

Falcons Special Teams

Placekicker

Younghoe Kim | #7

  • Extra Points: 26-28
  • Field Goals: 20-25
  • 1-19 yards: 0-0
  • 20-29 yards: 4-4
  • 30-39 yards: 4-4
  • 40-49 yards: 8-9
  • 50+ yards: 4-8

 

Kickoff Returners

Avery Williams | #35

  • Average: 21.1 | TD Returns: 0

 

Punt Returner

Avery Williams| #35

  • Average: 17.4 | TD Returns: 0

 

 

Steelers vs Falcons History

Series History: Began in 1966

Overall Record: 14-2-1

  • Home: 7-0-1
  • Away: 7-2
  • Postseason: 0-0

Streak: Steelers have won the last three games.

Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 41-17 (Oct. 7, 2018)

Last postseason meeting: 

 

Injury Report (12/2/22)

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Out: CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Hamstring),
  • Doubtful: None
  • Questionable: RB Jaylen Warren (Hamstring), LB T.J. Watt (Ribs)

 

Atlanta Falcons

  • Out: None
  • Doubtful: None
  • Questionable: OLB Arnold Ebiketie (Forearm), DL Jalen Dalton (Toe), OL Chuma Edoga (Knee)

 

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About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team. There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all! As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football. For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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Mike DrakulichYour source for Pittsburgh sports!
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.

There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!

As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.

For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!

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