The Falcons defense had a strong game until overtime when they cracked and allowed Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall to win the game 15-9 in Pittsburgh.
The Falcons got the ball first in overtime, but a pair of penalties helped force a punt.
Said WR Roddy White, who had 13 catches for 111 yards, “Our defense played well, we let them down as an offense.”
Should the Falcons have gone for it on fourth-and-one from the Pittsburgh 5 in the fourth quarter instead of kicking a field goal?
Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez became the first tight end in NFL history to catch 1,000 passes and now ranks seventh all-time in receptions.
Steelers FB David Johnson cleared the path for Mendenhall’s touchdown scamper by blowing up a pair of Falcons defenders.
Steelers WR Hines Ward had six catches for 108 yards and got his first career victory against the team representing his hometown.
QB Dennis Dixon struggled early but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin complimented him for making some big-time throws in the second half.
After the Steelers were forced to punt late in the fourth quarter, S Troy Polamalu made a spectacular read to intercept a pass inside Falcons territory.
Steelers K Jeff Reed followed that pick with a missed field goal, however, and the game went to overtime.