Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Reveals How Mike Tomlin's Training Camp Gave Pittsburgh A Major Advantage Over Atlanta

The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday and secured a 18-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Heading into the game, there was some uncertainty about the team's starting quarterback, Russell Wilson, who was listed as questionable. Just 90 minutes before kickoff, Wilson informed Justin Fields that he couldn’t play and that it was Fields’ turn to step up.

Despite the Steelers’ offense not scoring any touchdowns, there were signs of improvement. The offense appeared more cohesive and controlled the game effectively with Fields at the helm. As the game progressed, the Steelers’ superior conditioning became evident.

Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth discussed the game on 102.5 WDVE with Gerry Dulac, highlighting an important factor behind the Steelers’ success. Freiermuth attributed their advantage to Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s rigorous training camp. 

According to Freiermuth, the intensity of the Steelers' training camp far surpasses that of many other teams in the league. He believes this rigorous preparation was key to their dominance as the game wore on. Freiermuth observed that the Falcons began to tire, and the Steelers could capitalize on their fatigue, ultimately leading to their well-earned victory.

"That's why we go to Latrobe," Freiermuth said. "We're so highly conditioned. Coach [Tomlin] put us through a tough camp, and throughout the game, we could see the Falcons get tired. When we're in the fourth quarter, we're leaning on trying to close out the game. We're able to run the ball, able to move guys off the ball, and really control the outcome of the game."

When it was time to seal the victory, the Steelers did just that. With a 15-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, Fields remained poised under pressure. Najee Harris was unstoppable, consistently keeping the offense moving forward. Freiermuth made a couple crucial catches as the game drew to a close. 

However, with seven minutes left, the Steelers faced a critical moment. On fourth-and-one in the red zone, Fields attempted a quarterback sneak, but the play was unsuccessful, leaving the Steelers momentarily vulnerable.

Despite this setback, the defense came through in a big way. They forced the Falcons into a quick three-and-out from deep in their own territory. The Steelers' defense held firm, allowing kicker Chris Boswell to seal the win with his sixth field goal, pushing the Steelers to an 18-10 victory over the Falcons.

Throughout the game, the Steelers seemed to have a bit more energy, particularly in the final moments. Although they left the door open for the Falcons on several occasions, the stout Pittsburgh defense prevented Atlanta from making any significant gains. The strong defensive performance provides Steeler Nation with plenty of optimism for the season ahead, showcasing a unit capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most.

It seems that the grueling training camp in Latrobe, led by Tomlin, has already begun to pay dividends, at least after the first game of the season. As the Steelers head to the Mile High City to face the Denver Broncos in Week 2, they'll need another strong defensive performance and hope to see improvements on offense with more touchdowns.

Steelers Head Into Denver As Slight Favorites

The Steelers are currently favored by two and a half points over the Broncos. While Fields is expected to start again at quarterback, Wilson will be closely monitored throughout the week. The Steelers will aim to demonstrate their conditioning once more against the Broncos and secure their second win of the 2024 season.

Steelers fans were pleased with the team’s performance in Week 1, but recognize that there are still several offensive issues to address if they want to contend for the Super Bowl this year.

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