Steelers Defense Shows Greatness In Statement Performance Over The Atlanta Falcons In Preseason Week 3

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a monster performance from the defense in the preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons, shellacking them 24-0. The first-team defense appeared to be in midseason form and while the Falcons managed to move the ball a little better with Pittsburgh's backups eventually in, they still couldn't manage to find the end zone. 

Elandon Roberts got off to a quick start, showing off what he does best. He quickly got into the backfield and blew up a running play for a four-yard loss. The very next play, TJ Watt burst around the edge to get to quarterback Taylor Heinicke for a second consecutive positive play for the unit to start the game. After an incompletion by Heinicke, the Falcons were forced to send out their punter, Bradley Pinion, for the first time. It wouldn't be the last time, as it turned into a very busy night for him with five more punts. 

On the next drive, most of the first team returned to the field and continued to dominate, forcing a pair of short runs before another incompletion by Heinicke that led to another punt by the Falcons. 

Another newcomer for the Steelers, Keanu Neal, made his presence known on the next drive. On a second and five to go for the Falcons, the veteran safety came up to stop a running play for no gain. Later on a 3rd and 10, Neal and Levi Wallace combined to stop Falcons receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside short of the line to gain. 

Roberts picked up his second splash play of the evening on the next drive with a sack on Falcons third-string quarterback Logan Woodside for a nine-yard loss and the Steelers forced yet another punt. 

On the first drive of the second half, the Falcons moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory, but were unable to come away with any points. Second-year linebacker Mark Robinson and rookie Joey Porter Jr. came together to force a fumble by running back Carlos Washington Jr. that was recovered by safety Kenny Robinson. 

Pittsburgh forced another pair of punts and forced a turnover on downs with linebacker Toby Ndukwe coming down to force a three-yard loss. 

Pittsburgh's defense came back out after a missed field goal by rookie kicker B.T. Potter and got off the field quickly with outside linebacker Quincy Roche knocking the ball out of Woodside's arm as he threw and Ndukwe recovered. 

Ndukwe put the finishing touches on the final drive of the game by sacking Woodside on the final play to put the stamp on a very impressive showing by the Pittsburgh defense. 

Steelers Still Have Some Things To Clean Up Despite Making The Falcons Look Lost

Even though Pittsburgh's defense had a field day, allowing only 199 total yards of offense, registering five sacks, and recovering a pair of forced fumbles, there were still a few things to fix, particularly when it came to penalties. 

Porter Jr. snagged an interception in his first preseason action and was in on the tackle that helped Robinson for a fumble, but picked up a pass interference call near the end of the first half that ended up being a non-issue due to Atlanta having little time to do anything with the ball. The bigger potential problem is Porter Jr. and pass interference penalties. He's known for his physicality, but he needs to find where the line is as he adjusts to the pro game. 

Pittsburgh also had a too many men on the field penalty early in the first half when Heinicke went to the hurry-up offense. It caught the team off guard as they were left with the extra man on. Again, it was non-consequential in the scheme of the contest, but will be something for the coaches to keep an eye on to ensure it's not an issue when the games count in the standings.

Overall, the defense played a mostly perfect game with no drive for the Falcons ending in points. If they can clean up the little details, they have a real chance to be one of the best in the league. 

What did you think of the defense's performance against the Falcons? Who stood out to you? Comment below!

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