FINAL: Fitzpatrick Intercepts Mariota; Steelers Defeat Falcons 19-16
The Atlanta Falcons host the Pittsburgh Steelers today inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons have yet another chance to take control of a down-year in the NFC South.
For the Falcons, who come in at 5-7, they find themselves occupying second place in the NFC South and just a half-game behind the leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As for the Steelers, their 4-7 record has them last in the AFC North, meaning they are on the outside looking in the playoff picture.
The Falcons fell short a week ago versus the Commanders. Knocking on the door of the Commanders' goalline, a tipped pass from Marcus Mariota ended up in the hands of the Commanders, resulting in a game-ending interception.
The Falcons will be without a host of players against the Steelers; outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (wrist), defensive tackle Jalen Dalton (toe), and offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (knee) are all listed as inactive.
For the Steelers, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was ruled out with a hamstring while running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring), linebacker Malik Reed (back), and star outside linebacker T.J. Watt (ribs) were deemed questionable.
Stay tuned as we provide live drive-by-drive updates as the Falcons take on the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
Live updates will be available shortly after the kickoff.
First Quarter
The Pittsburgh Steelers received the opening kickoff, starting the drive at their own 25-yard line.
The Steelers converted two third downs early, one on a Derek Watt run and a completion to tight end Pat Freiermuth. Before a sack on second down set up a fifth third down, this time on 3rd & 15, ended with an incompletion.
Steelers 3, Falcons 0
Change of Possession (7:32)
The Falcons began the drive with two quick completions to Drake London and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Two penalties backed the Falcon up into a 3rd & 20, forcing a punt after picking up 12 yards on a completion to Damiere Byrd.
Change of Possession (4:07)
Second Quarter
After a Najee Harris run set the Steelers up inside the Atlanta 30-yard line, the Falcons' defense bent but didn't break as they held Pittsburgh to a 46-yard field goal.
Steelers 6, Falcons 0
Change of Possession (13:04)
A Tyler Allgeier 20-yard run and a pair of completion from Mariota that went for over 15 yards each were not enough to get into the endzone. As the Steelers' defense held the Falcons to a field goal.
Steelers 6, Falcons 3
Change of Possession (9:15)
Pat Freiermuth took a pass 57 yards before Kenny Pickett found a receiver wide-open in the back of the endzone for a 17-yard score.
Steelers 13, Falcons 3
Change of Possession (7:06)
Mariota completed an explosive 37-yard pass to Drake London on the first play of the drive before a Patterson run went backward four yards. An incompletion and a nine-yard completion weren't enough to gain a first down on third and long. Younghoe Koo connected on a 51-yard field goal.
Steelers 13, Falcons 6
Change of Possession (5:05)
The Steelers had a good drive going, which started with a 20-yard completion to Dionate Johnson. Yet, once again, after entering Atlanta's territory, the Steelers' offense stalled. A 48-yard field goal put the Steelers up 10.
Steelers 16, Falcons 6
Change of Possession (1:29)
With the absence of the running game and limited time before halftime. The Falcons couldn't take advantage of an opportunity to score before halftime. Mariota completed two of his five passes before a punt.
Change of Possession (:29)
Third Quarter
A six-yard Caleb Huntley run was the most productive play of the drive for the Falcons before another punt. The Falcons did pick up their first third-down conversion on a Mariota run, but after that, nothing else happened.
Change of Possession (12:28)
Another long and methodical drive for the Steelers' offense ended in a field goal. Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell saved a touchdown on a pass breakup while defending the Steelers' star wide-out Johnson. A delay of game penalty backed Pittsburgh into a 3rd & 18, which proved too much to convert for a first down.
Steelers 19, Falcons 6
Change of Possession (4:46)
The Falcons' offense got back to their usual selves as they relied on the running game to advance into the redzone. Cordarrelle Patterson accounted for 45 of the 68 yards rushing, as the drive ended with a Mariota passing touchdown to MyCole Pruitt.
Steelers 19, Falcons 13
Change of Possession (:43)
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons' defense needed a stop, and they came up with it and more as they forced a fumble on completion to Dionate Johnson. AJ Terrell forced the fumble, which was then recovered by Atlanta.
But, a review overturned the call, ruling it an incompletion. Instead of taking over inside the Steelers' territory, the Falcons will get the ball back on their own 26 after a punt.
Change of Possession
The Falcons continued to lean on their running game, even picking up a first down on a fourth and one inside Pittsburgh territory. Struggles in the redzone helped hold the Falcons to just three points.
Steelers 19, Falcons 16
Change of Possession
The Steelers' offense was presented with an opportunity to ice the game, and they almost did. Pittsburgh picked up three first downs, forcing the Falcons to burn all of their timeouts. But a third and five was too much for Kenny Pickett to pick up with his legs. A Steelers punt pinned the Falcons at their own two-yard line.
Change of Possession
The first play ended up being the last play for the Falcons as Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Marcus Mariota to end the game.
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