The Pittsburgh Steelers finished their preseason campaign in style with an impressive victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Dominating throughout all three games, the Steelers showcased their skills and looked ready for the upcoming 2023 season. Notably, their first-team offense continued their success by scoring touchdowns in all five of their preseason drives.
One of the most significant achievements for the Steelers was the absence of any major injuries to key players, adding to their triumph. In their final preseason game against the Falcons, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren scored touchdowns, displaying their talent and leading the Steelers to a resounding 24-0 victory.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett played a crucial role in the Steelers’ success, demonstrating impeccable passing accuracy. With a perfect completion rate in the game against the Falcons, Pickett accumulated 86 yards and set up Harris’ and Warren’s touchdown runs. Throughout the entire preseason, Pickett impressed with 13 completions out of 15 attempts, resulting in 199 yards, two touchdowns, and a flawless passer rating of 158.3.
Although the Falcons didn’t field any starters in the game, the Steelers aimed to perform exceptionally well and put points on the board. Pickett’s exceptional passes to Diontae Johnson and George Pickens set up the stage perfectly for Harris to score a touchdown, concluding a remarkable 92-yard drive.
The Steelers’ defense also demonstrated their prowess by forcing multiple three-and-outs against the Falcons, while also securing sacks from T.J. Watt, Elandon Roberts, Toby Ndukwe, and rookie Nick Herbig. Additionally, Calvin Austin III contributed to their success with a solid punt return, setting up excellent field position for the Steelers’ offense.
Head coach Mike Tomlin was satisfied with the performance of the first-team offense and made the decision to substitute in the second unit. Led by Mitch Trubisky, the second unit continued the dominant performance by securing another three-and-out and going on to score a field goal and a touchdown, extending the lead to 24-0.
The Steelers outplayed the Falcons both in terms of statistics and on-field performance, accumulating an impressive total yardage advantage of 220-8 and 253-55 in the first half alone.
Despite not playing their starters, the Falcons managed to sustain an offensive drive in the second half. However, the Steelers’ defense promptly shut down their progress by forcing a fumble, preserving their dominant lead and preventing Atlanta from scoring.
Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s preseason shutout victory, highlighting the satisfaction that comes from keeping opponents out of the end zone.
In summary, the Steelers showcased their brilliance on offense, defense, and special teams throughout the preseason, securing victory after victory without relenting. With remarkable talent displayed across various positions and a confident team atmosphere, the Steelers are well-prepared for the highly anticipated start of the 2023 regular season.
