Talk about a game-changer. T.J. Watt pulled off his first career pick-six, a massive 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the Steelers up 20-10 against the Falcons. This wasn’t another defensive play, it was the moment that sealed a victory for Pittsburgh in what was otherwise a grind to start the Mike McCarthy era.
Watt’s Defensive Dominance Puts Steelers Ahead
Seriously, Watt owned that fourth quarter. He snagged a pass behind the line of scrimmage, took it 35 yards to the house, and BOOM, the Steelers were up by ten. That’s his tenth career interception, which is wild for a pass rusher, but it was his first time taking one all the way. Atlanta tried to claw back with a 43-yard field goal from Nick Folk, trimming Pittsburgh’s lead to seven points, but they couldn’t find any more traction after Watt’s heroics.
Offense Stumbles But Steelers Finish Strong
It wasn’t exactly an offensive shootout, you know? Aaron Rodgers went 24-of-40 for 221 yards with a touchdown for Pittsburgh, but their third-down conversion rate was pretty rough at 3-of-13. Total yards for the Steelers came in at 264. Atlanta’s offense didn’t exactly light it up either, with Cooper Rush hitting 12-of-22 for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. Bijan Robinson was a workhorse for the Falcons, running for 83 yards on 21 carries and catching eight passes for 90 yards.
When it came down to crunch time, Darnell Washington had a huge 15-yard reception on third-and-3 late in the fourth, complete with a nasty stiff-arm, to help run out the clock. With Atlanta fresh out of timeouts, Jaylen Warren iced it with a 9-yard run, bringing the game to the two-minute warning. Not pretty, but a win is a win!
So, the Steelers get a gritty victory to kick off their season under McCarthy. For the Falcons, this stings, especially after Watt’s incredible play derailed any late-game comeback hopes. Early season momentum is everything, and Pittsburgh just grabbed some with a huge defensive play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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