The Steelers rebounded with a huge win over the Atlanta Falcons, putting together a tough defensive performance a dominating offensive performance and even some nice plays on special teams!
It was the best defensive execution of the season combining a tough and diverse pass rush with press coverage. Playing against the Falcons high powered offense, there was no room to run and the Falcons averaged 3.3 yards per carry and only 62 yards on the ground.
The pass rush racked up six sacks and was nearly unstoppable. TJ Watt led the team with three sacks and a forced fumble that lead to the clinching touchdown. Cameron Heyward had 1-1/2 sacks and was in the backfield all day. LJ Fort was all over the field and did a great job filling in for Vince Williams. The star of the defense was Joe Haden who held Julio Jones to only five catches and under 70 yards.
The offensive game plan was to run the football and be physical. James Conner set that tone. He ran hard all day putting together 110 tough yards and chipping in with four catches and 75 yards. The offensive line dominated up front, running at will and keeping Ben Roethlisberger off the ground, the Falcons had no answer.
Antonio Brown was off the snide with his first 100-yard game of the season and he led the team with 101 yards and a big touchdown catch. Ben Roethlisberger played great and managed the game efficiently with the exception of an ill-advised pass at the end of the first half.
The special teams were an asset Sunday. Rosie Nix blocked a punt and the coverage units did a tremendous job. Jordan Berry had a great day after a rough start to the season and was only called upon three times and averaged 47.7 yards per punt. The only concern was Chris Boswell still seems lost missing his third extra point of the season.
Officiating was horrible, and the refs were way to involved in the game, with several botched phantom calls. Coach Tomlin brought light to that fact in the post-game press conference.
The Steelers finally showed signs of what this team is capable of and need to string to back to back performances together.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Roosevelt Nix an unsung hero on the offense. He led the way for James Connor and he blocked a punt that turned the game. He is the epitome of an old school fullback and a great person to have on the team! Also Considered, TJ Watt for his three sacks, Antonio Brown for his first 100-yard game.
Where I watched the game: At Heinz Field with the family. We got to tailgate with Woody Welch’s “Legacy” group, they were awesome! We also got to stop at the Terrible Bra and Grille with the Janick and Gee! We had an awesome time.
My Stat of the week: 62 yards for Julio Jones who was lighting up the NFL prior to Sunday. Joe Haden is clearly a difference maker on this defense.
My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers need to put together back to back performances and prove that the beginning of the season was the fluke not last week.
This week’s Jersey: Joe Greene #75 Home Jersey, my “gamer”, which I wear to every game I go to.
Reflections of Little Miss Tailgate:
The 2018 Pittsburgh trip will definitely go down in history as the craziest trip when is comes to travel. We left our house by 1 pm and we didn’t end up getting to the hotel until around 11pm because we got a flat tire on the highway then the battery died so we had to jump the car.
We stayed at on Smallman Street in downtown Pittsburgh. On Saturday we visited the Heinz History Center where we checked out the new Apollo 11 exhibit and we also walked around the museum and checked out the various exhibits there.
We then went and shopped on the Strip District where us kids were on a hunt for gifts for our mom for her birthday on Monday. I got a new sweatshirt, a lanyard and a T.J. Watt Pop Funko. We also ate lunch at Peppi’s where I had a cheese steak.
We went to church at St. Santislaus off the strip district. After church we hung out for a little while then we decided to go to Primanti’s on Market Square where I had a Pittsburgher which was pretty good and we also had a surprise appearance by Captain Tailgate who sat with us and we all caught up. After dinner we went and looked around at all the booths on Market Square and then we all walked over to the Milkshake Factory where I had Peanut Butter Fudge Milkshake which was pretty good. We went back to the hotel and went to bed in preparation for the big game the next day!
On Sunday, we got up had a good breakfast and took an Uber to Heinz Field. We met up with a few friends grabbed our tickets and then headed over to the Terrible Bra and Grille Tailgate where we saw all our friends and we hung out there until it was time to head over to the field for the game.
This year my mom and I sat in club seats and then my dad and my brothers joined us after the first quarter. T.J played a very good game along with Juju, Connor, and Antonio Brown had a good game also. I was on the edge of my seat while watching this great game. Once Renegade started playing the crowd went pretty crazy and as united Steeler fans, we swung or Terrible Towels high and proud during those three minutes. A big highlight of the second half was when we took the ball back in the end zone and ended up scoring on that drive.
The game finished strong with a 41-17 win over the Falcons. After the game, we said our goodbyes to our friends and headed toward PNC Park and waited for our Uber. That night we once again went to Primanti’s and I had salami and cheese instead. After Primanti’s we went to the milkshake factory and I had cookies and cream instead. Then we took an Uber back to our hotel and we slept to prepare for tomorrow’s big drive.
For those of you who didn’t know my mom’s birthday was Monday, October 8. So we got up and went to her door with a sign, her shirts, a card, and a blueberry muffin from downstairs and we sang happy birthday and since I take Spanish in school she asked if I could sing her the happy birthday song in Spanish…. I didn’t say no. Then we packed up the car and said our farewells to the great city of Pittsburgh and drove home. Overall, this trip was a great one and I had so much fun. I hope to be able to go back next year.
Until next time Root Beer We Go Steelers!!
Little Miss Tailgate