Steelers cannot afford loss to Falcons
ATLANTA – Tampa Bay. The New York Jets. New Orleans.
The Steelers are well aware of what happened when they played those three teams.
Each team has a less-than-stellar record, having combined for just nine wins, one more than the Steelers (8-5). But three of those victories have come against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers can’t afford a fourth loss to a team with a losing record, not if they want to control their fate in the AFC North playoff race.
Then again, they don’t look at their opponent today, the Atlanta Falcons (5-8), as a team with a losing record.
After all, if the playoffs began today, the Falcons would be NFC South champions by virtue of tiebreakers over the Saints.
“I really think the significant element of the storyline is that we’re faced with another road game versus a division leader and it’s a significant (game) for both teams,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, whose team defeated another division leader, the Cincinnati Bengals, last week. “Both teams, I imagine, will prepare with that in mind and play with an edge. That’s the storyline for us.”
In other words, the Steelers aren’t worried about what’s behind them. They’re more concerned with what’s going to happen in their next three games. With three victories, the Steelers will win the AFC North and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
“Our focus is 110 percent on Atlanta and doing everything we can to play the best football we can,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.
Atlanta presents a unique challenge for Roethlisberger. The Falcons are the only team he has not beaten in his illustrious career.
The last time the Steelers and Falcons met, a 15-9 overtime victory by Pittsburgh in 2010, Roethlisberger was suspended by the NFL. In 2006, the Steelers played at Atlanta and lost in overtime, 41-38.
The last three times the Steelers and Falcons have met, the game has gone to overtime. Pittsburgh and Atlanta played to memorable 34-34 tie in 2002 at Heinz Field.
Another high-scoring game is expected. Pittsburgh’s offense is second in the NFL in total yardage at 427 per game – which would shatter the team record set in 1979 – while Atlanta (381) is eighth.
“Pittsburgh’s offense has played well,” said Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. “I think Ben Roethlisberger is having a great year. He is playing at a high level. You never know how a game is going to shake out, but they certainly are coming in playing well.”
The same thing could be said of the Falcons. Pittsburgh has won five of its past seven games; Atlanta owns victories in three of its past five, a virtual red-hot streak in the NFC South.
“We’re glad that we are in first place,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith said. “We’re not happy with the consistency we’ve played with. … There are still three teams fighting to play in that second season. If you get into that second season, you are just like everybody else. You are 0-0.”
The Falcons aren’t apologizing for being a 5-8 first-place team. The Steelers want to get to where the Falcons currently stand.
To get there, they’ll need to keep winning and avoid another slip as they had against the Buccaneers, Jets and Saints.
“We can’t slow down,” said Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who has gained 200 or more total yards in each of the past three games, joining Walter Payton as the only NFL player to do so.
“We want to finish strong, but we can’t overlook anyone. It’s clichéd, but we have to take it one game at a time.”
Odds and end zones
Pittsburgh ranks 15th in the NFL in total defense. Atlanta is 32nd. … Cornerback Ike Taylor (shoulder/forearm) is doubtful to play and linebacker James Harrison (knee) is questionable. … Atlanta’s Julio Jones, who leads the NFL in receiving yards, is questionable with a hip injury. He did not practice all week and will be a game-time decision.