Falcons 2022 record: 5-8
Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Final Score: Steelers 19 – Falcons 16
Notable Falcons Performances:
WR Drake London – 6 REC for 95 YDs
S Richie Grant – 9 tackles, 1 TFL
CB A.J. Terrell – 3 tackles, 2 passes defensed
K Younghoe Koo – 3/3 FG (100%), 1/1 XP, 10 points
Notable Steelers Performances:
QB Kenny Pickett – 16/28 (57%) for 197 YDs, 1 TD
RB Najee Harris – 17 carries for 86 YDs
TE Pat Freiermuth – 3 REC for 76 YDs
WR Dionte Johnson – 5 REC for 60 YDs
S Minkah Fitzpatrick – 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass defensed, 1 INT
Next Opponent Preview:
Sunday, December 11 – BYE WEEK
Takeaways:
This was another game that was extremely winnable. The defense played respectable enough and gave up only 19 points to a young but talented Steelers offense led by a rookie quarterback. The offense however, struggled mightily to move the ball in the passing game due to Mariota’s inability to hit the deep ball and make good decisions when dropping back. The run game was effective as usual, as the Falcons ran the ball for 146 yards. Arthur Smith has finally decided he’s seen enough of his offense being held back and in the postgame press conference he left open the possibility of rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder getting an opportunity after the bye week when the Falcons head to New Orleans to face their hated division rival, the Saints. With two weeks for the Falcons to evaluate everything moving forward, it will be interesting to see the changes Smith makes, especially at quarterback. If Ridder comes in and runs the offense well, there will be questions about why Smith waited so long to make the move.
