Steelers rise, shine vs. Falcons
said, “we were able to minimize their running game, we were able to protect our quarterback, we were able to get after theirs.”
The Steelers offense sprung to life like it hasn’t all season, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions, drives of 78 and 97 yards that ended in a 1-yard run by Conner and JuJu SmithSchuster’s 18-yard catch for a 13-0 lead.
“It hasn’t been any secret that we haven’t done well on opening drives,’’ Roethlisberger said. “So we wanted to come out and do that and establish ourselves with the run and the pass and I thought we did that.”
“I think it helped a lot,’’ defensive end Cam Heyward said of the early lead. “I’m not going to say that’s the reason we won but for our offense to go out there and score early really set the tone. We felt if we got up early we could make them in an uncomfortable spot.”
Conner virtually matched his opening performance in Cleveland, sans the lost fumble, both running and catching. He had a long run of 30 yards and a 29-yard reception.
“He ran hard, ran people over, spun around people,’’ Roethlisberger said of the 6foot-1, 233-pounder who now has five touchdowns. “He’s a very powerful back. I don’t think people give him as much credit as he probably should get. He performed exceptionally today.”
It should make for an even more interesting homecoming for Le’Veon Bell if, indeed, he plans to show up in one week as reports indicated. Conner is the man right now, as far as his teammates are concerned.
“Guys had a sense of urgency, especially James,’’ guard David DeCastro said. “And we were giving him enough space to go out there and just run hard. I love seeing it. The kid’s a workhorse, he’s humble, he puts his head down. Man I just wish the best for him.
“The holes were there, we stuck with it, we had a good game plan and things were working. That’s just how it goes.”
It hadn’t gone quite like that until Sunday for this team. But the quick lead allowed them to run, use playaction passes and on defense get after Ryan.
Fort played well for the injured Vince Williams at inside linebacker with a sack, six solo tackles and three quarterback hurries to go with his touchdown while sharing those duties with Tyler Matakevich.
“Hopefully this performance can catapult us in the right direction and start climbing the leader board of defenses,’’ Fort said.
The Steelers were outplayed in the second quarter when the Falcons outscored them, 10-0, to get back in the game at halftime, 13-10. The half virtually ended when Roethlisberger scrambled from the Atlanta 7 away from pressure and heaved a pass into the end zone that was intercepted.
Roethlisberger was just 9 of 17 in the first half for 95 yards. But he came out on fire in the third quarter and wound up that half 10 of 12 for 165 yards and two touchdowns, and the Steelers scored on their first two drives of the half.
The first was a beauty, a pass to Brown for 9 yards. The second came after Nix’s blocked punt gave the offense the ball at the Atlanta 18. Nix then came up with another block — this one leading Conner into the end zone for a 2-yard run.
“Rosie is amazing,’’ Conner said. “He’s a specialteamer, fullback, and lets me walk in for a touchdown.”
So the Steelers team that everyone expected to see finally turned up in the fifth game, none too late.
“Hopefully,” Tomlin said, “it’s a catalyst for us as we move forward.”
They’ll find out quickly because they move forward Sunday to Cincinnati, where the Bengals (4-1) sit atop the AFC North Division.
Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com and Twitter @EdBouchette.