Steelers beat Falcons in overtime
In 2009, the Pittsburgh Steelers were involved in lots of close games that left their fans on the verge of cardiac arrest. They started 2010 in the exact same fashion.
Steelers fans knew that the first 4 games were going to be difficult. Ben Roethlisberger would not be able to play due to suspension, and young Dennis Dixon would be forced into a starting role. However, they didn’t expect things to be quite this taxing.
As we all expected, Bruce Arians tried to keep the game plan simple for Dixon. He limited the number and type of pass plays, and he handed the ball to the running backs early and often. However the Falcons anticipated as much and stacked the defensive line to stop the run, and they challenged Dennis Dixon to beat them with his arm. Dixon’s response to that challenge was adequate, but not stellar.
Steelers QB Dennis Dixon
Dixon ended the game with 236 yards passing. He had no touchdowns, one interception, and a 81.6 QB rating. He missed a few wide open receivers, but overall, it wasn’t a bad performance for only his second NFL start.
By comparison, Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, threw for very similar numbers. He had 252 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Moreover, his QB rating for the game was only 67.6. So by that measure, Dixon did better than Ryan.
Nevertheless, some Steelers fans were calling for Charlie Batch to be put into the game. I don’t understand the logic of that. The only way for a young quarterback to develop is for him to play through difficult situations. Does anyone else remember how bad young Terry Bradshaw looked? Or young Ben Roethlisberger? Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, and many other young quarterbacks in recent years have struggled early on. But their teams all had the patience and foresight to stick with them. And wisely, that’s exactly what Mike Tomlin and Bruce Arians did with Dennis Dixon.
Just like the Steelers did when Ben Roethlisberger was a rookie, they relied on the running game and the defense to help out the young quarterback. And both the running game and the defense delivered.
Both teams’ defenses played a tough game. Neither team was able to score a touchdown in regulation. Instead, they spent 4 quarters exchanging field goals.
The Steelers had a chance to win the game late in regulation, when Troy Polamalu intercepted a Matt Ryan pass and gave the Steelers great field position. Jeff Reed attempted a 40 yard field goal with :43 seconds remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the kick went wide right, and the game went into overtime.
Atlanta won the coin toss and got the ball first in overtime. But like they had in regulation, the Steelers’ defense stopped Atlanta cold. Atlanta was forced to punt. Then on their very first play in overtime, the Steelers handed the ball to Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall found a hole and scampered 50 yards for a touchdown. Steelers win.
Rashard Mendenhall breaks free
It may not have been the prettiest game, but it was a win. And there were lots of good signs in the win. The running game looked great. The defense looked great. Hines Ward looked great. Troy Polamalu looked great. And the offensive line looked great. That’s right, the offensive line. It’s been a long time since Steelers fans have been able to say that.
So the Steelers are 1-0. With both Cincinnati and Cleveland losing, the Steelers stand alone atop the AFC North. Not a bad start for a team that is without their franchise quarterback.
Here we go Steelers. Here we go!
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I loved every single minute of the game, heart attack and all! I did not get to see it on tv and I was very sad until Steelers Today gave me a link and I got to see it on my computer. Thank you. Football however is not pretty but Troy Polamalu is the most beautiful part of football hands down. But to get to the game…it was definately action packed, Steelers do what they always do and won. New guys working hard to be better and I say let them do it and cut any negativity. Let the coach do the talking to the team. I saw a BIG team effort and I do believe we are on the way to the STAIRWAY TO 7!!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STEELERS!
1I hear Max Starks was hurt. Who do we have as a back-up? Scott? As long as Adams does not go to LT…
Good win though. We needed this. I figure that we can at least beat Tampa Bay and end up 2-2 before Ben gets back. That would be swell.
2Dixson wasn’t playing against the Steeler D, Dick L., and Troy. That is why his rating was higher. Ratings don’t take in consideration of a QB throwing the ball at the feet of his receivers all day. Although his long ball to Wallace was nice, let’s not forget that he was very very close to 3 ints. He is what I thought he was.
We still can’t get a yard when we need it! (Couldn’t take advantage of Troy’s int)
Our defense looked very good. The offensive line did look pretty good for the most part. Hines Ward was being Hines Ward.
Am I the only one wondering why we tried a 55yd FG!
Let’s hope for 2-2 guys and then Ben will take it from there unless Tomlin thinks we ought to go with Dixson the rest of the way. Still can’t believe his comments on that. Stupid!!
GO STEELERS
3POSITIVES
The veterans all looked great. Woodley now has nine games in a row with at least one sack, Harrison had a big sack and forced a holding call that was even bigger. Polamalu’s field intelligence and speed once more proved lethal (I’ll bet he’d been watching that route all game, waiting to jump it until we really needed a turnover). Ward showed again that age means nothing to him (although I thought the ball might’ve hit the turf on that juggling catch).
I liked what I saw from Sepulveda, who showed the ability we drafted him for in the 4th round to swing the field position battle with one swing of his foot. His 50+ yarder with no return was a thing of beauty. Things like that can decide games even if they don’t get a lot of recognition. I really liked how Timmons came out and showed that he’s ready to meet the expectations placed on him as a 1st rounder. It’s taken the kid a while, but never gave up, and with his outstanding performance against a very good running offense I’m going to predict that a lot of people will be talking about LT this season.
CONCERNS:
Injuries to Hampton and Starks aren’t good, but they’re not catastrophic either. Wallace showed he’s no Roddy White – yet. He reaffirmed what we already knew, that if a defense forgets about him for a play they’re going to give up 50 yards, but with only two catches he didn’t show that keeping him consistently covered is a problem. Hopefully he’ll get there as he gains experience at the position.
OUTLOOK:
4The Steelers face a very difficult road game next week. I’m not sure if a the Titans fans’ wrath will cause Dixon more jitters than the Steelers fans’ expectations. Hopefully, he’ll be a little more settled and accurate in his second start. The fact is our offense will have to play better that they did this week to be the Titans in Tennessee, and that will depend almost entirely on Dixon’s comfort level.
I mean “THAN they did this week to BEAT the Titans!”
5@Tony:
I believe Tomlin talking about keeping Dixon in is all psychological warfare. Ben comes back vs. Cleveland. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tomlin keeps the starting role up in the air until game day. Why? So the Browns can waste practice time not only prepping for Ben, but the more mobile Dixon as well. Mobile QBs always take additional practice time for the other team to get ready for, because if they aren’t prepared, well, you saw how Vick almost lead a dead-in-the-water Eagles team back vs. the Packers.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see an 8-10 play Dixon package this year, just so teams have to use precious time during the week to not be killed by it.
6Tony,
7I agree. Ben will be the starter. But anything to keep the other team guessing is alright with me.
Matt,
8Great analysis. Care to write an article?
Dan,
9Tomlin say that Flozell is not moving to left tackle. So it may be Tony Hills or Scott.
Well maybe if they could start playing the game on the field they wouldn’t have to play the game in the media. If Tomlin thinks he has to get in the heads of the Cleveland Browns in order to gain advantage then we have more problems than any of us think!
Maybe Tomlin could tell the media we are going to unleash hell…..oh wait, that didn’t work either.
10