Steelers at Falcons 12/4

 The Steelers and Falcons both come into this game with records that will most likely mean the won't make the playoffs.  The Steelers were 4-7 and the Falcons were 5-7.  The Steelers were slightly favored being -2.5 while the Falcons were getting 2.5 points.  All eyes were on the quarterbacks in this matchup as they have both faced scrutiny because of their performances earlier in the season.

(Hank Zao, AP Images)

The first quarter didn't have very much action in it as both teams had their defenses hold off the opposing offenses.  The only scoring of the quarter came from a 46 yard Matthew Wright field goal that was the result of a 16 play 47 yard drive. 

The second quarter had much more action even though field goals still outnumbered the amount of touchdowns scored.  The Steelers started out the quarter with another long drive that ended up stalling out and they settled for another 46 yard field goal after a 12 play 58 yard drive.  The following possession, the Falcons were finally able to retaliate with a 50 yard field goal by Younghoe Koo after a 8 play 42 yard drive.

The Steelers were able to respond to this field goal by scoring the first touchdown of the match.  It was a quick strike as the drive went for 4 plays and 75 yards and was capped off with a 17 yard touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett to Connor Heyward. 

(Fred Anderson, USA Today)

The Falcons were able to respond with another field goal and then the Steelers followed that up with another field goal of their own to finish off the second quarter.  Both offenses struggled once they got into enemy territory as only one touchdown was scored in the first half and the Steelers and Falcons were both forced to settle for various field goals. 

The third quarter was yet another defense focused quarter as only 10 points were allowed in the quarter.  The Steelers got the first score, they settled for a 33 yard field goal after driving for 75 yards in 14 plays.  The Falcons were able to follow this up with a touchdown of their own that kept them in the game.  The touchdown came as a result of a 7 yard pass from Marcus Mariota to MyCole Pruitt that capped off a 8 play 75 yard drive. 

The fourth quarter was as defensive as the first, only 3 points were allowed.  The Falcons were able to get the quarter's lone score off of a 28 yard field goal.  This wasn't enough to save them as they lost 16-19.  Even though the score was close, the Steelers dominated most of the game especially early on, but both offenses struggling in this game further reinforces why their records are so bad and why they have both struggled to get wins this season. 

(470 Words)