Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats

The Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons match was one of those games that reminds fans why football can be so unpredictable. No touchdowns for Pittsburgh. No flashy offensive plays. Just pure defense, smart coaching, and a kicker who refused to miss.

Chris Boswell became the hero of the night, hitting six field goals to lead the Steelers to an 18–10 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It wasn’t the kind of victory fans usually expect, but it showed how small moments—like a clutch kick or a defensive stop—can change everything.

In this article, we’ll go through all the player stats, key moments, and performances from this unique game. You’ll see who stepped up, who struggled, and how the Steelers pulled off an ugly but powerful Week 1 win.

Final Score and Quick Game Facts

The final score tells the whole story: Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Atlanta Falcons 10. Not one touchdown for the Steelers. Just six field goals from Boswell.

• MVP: Chris Boswell (6-for-6 FGs, 3 from over 50 yards)

• Key Stat: Atlanta had just 51 yards in the second half

• Turnovers: Steelers 0, Falcons 3

• Attendance: 72,291 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

It was a clean, controlled game by Pittsburgh. They didn’t take big risks but made sure to protect the ball. Atlanta, on the other hand, kept giving the Steelers chances to score through turnovers and missed opportunities.

Score by Quarter: How the Game Unfolded

The game began with both teams moving slowly but steadily. The first quarter ended 3–3 after both kickers exchanged field goals. By halftime, the Falcons had a small 10–9 lead, thanks to a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Kyle Pitts.

But things changed fast in the second half. The Steelers took over, outscoring Atlanta 9–0 and completely shutting down their offense.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Atlanta couldn’t move the ball at all. Pittsburgh controlled the game clock, kicked more field goals, and slowly built their lead. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked.

Steelers vs Falcons Quarterback Stats

This game was a test for both quarterbacks. Justin Fields made his first start for the Steelers, and Kirk Cousins made his debut for the Falcons. Both had moments of brilliance and frustration.

Fields completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards, showing patience and smart decision-making. He didn’t throw any touchdowns, but more importantly, he didn’t throw any interceptions either. His 73.9% completion rate and ability to run (57 yards on 14 carries) gave Pittsburgh just enough spark to keep drives alive.

Cousins, on the other hand, had a rough debut. He went 16 of 26 for 155 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. His second-half numbers were especially poor—just three completions after halftime. Each interception gave the Steelers a short field, which Boswell quickly turned into points.

If you’re wondering how the quarterbacks compared, here’s a simple breakdown:

Fields’ calm approach and running ability made the difference. Cousins struggled with pressure and coverage, especially after halftime.

Ground Game Breakdown: Rushing Stats for Both Teams

The Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons match looked like old-school AFC North football—tough runs, short gains, and heavy hitting. The Steelers ran the ball 41 times for 137 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. That might not sound great, but it helped them control the clock and wear down the Falcons’ defense.

Najee Harris led the team with 20 carries for 70 yards, while Fields added 57 yards on the ground himself. It wasn’t explosive, but it was consistent.

Atlanta’s rushing game started well but faded in the second half. Bijan Robinson ran for 68 yards on 18 carries and added 43 receiving yards. He looked sharp early, breaking tackles and creating space, but once the Falcons fell behind, they stopped running the ball.

By the fourth quarter, the difference in energy was clear. Pittsburgh’s offense stayed on the field longer, while Atlanta’s defense grew tired from chasing Fields and Harris around.

Steelers vs Falcons Receiving Leaders

In a game without touchdowns for Pittsburgh, George Pickens stood out as the top target. He caught 6 passes for 85 yards, including a big 40-yard reception just before halftime that set up a field goal. That play gave the Steelers the momentum they needed going into the break.

Pat Freiermuth added 4 short catches for 27 yards, helping move the chains on third downs. Jaylen Warren and MyCole Pruitt also chipped in with short receptions.

For Atlanta, Ray-Ray McCloud III caught 4 passes for 52 yards, while Bijan Robinson added 5 catches for 43 yards out of the backfield. Kyle Pitts, despite scoring the Falcons’ only touchdown, was used mostly as an extra blocker to slow down T.J. Watt.

Here’s a quick look at the top pass-catchers:

Pickens accounted for more than half of Pittsburgh’s passing yards. Without him, their air attack would’ve been nearly invisible.

Chris Boswell: The Star of the Show

If one name defines this game, it’s Chris Boswell. He made all six field goals, including three from over 50 yards. His longest kick was 57 yards, which gave Pittsburgh the early lead.

Boswell also had to step in as the emergency punter after Cameron Johnston injured his hip. He handled it perfectly, punting once for 43 yards in the fourth quarter.

The field goals came at key moments: after interceptions, fumbles, and long drives that stalled just short of the red zone. Each one kept momentum on Pittsburgh’s side.

As one Steelers defender said after the game, “We didn’t win this game—Bos won it for us.”

Defensive Players Who Made a Big Impact

Pittsburgh’s defense was incredible, especially in the second half. They completely shut down the Falcons after halftime, allowing just 51 total yards and zero points.

T.J. Watt recovered a fumble in the third quarter that turned into a 56-yard field goal. Donte Jackson grabbed a late interception and returned it 49 yards, setting up another Boswell kick. DeShon Elliott also intercepted Cousins early, which led to points.

On the Falcons’ side, Grady Jarrett had 1.5 sacks and tied a franchise record for career quarterback hits. Linebacker Kaden Elliss led Atlanta with 9 tackles but couldn’t stop Pittsburgh’s long, draining drives.

The Steelers defense didn’t just play well—they completely took over the game.

Turnovers That Changed the Game

In a close game like this, turnovers can make all the difference. And that’s exactly what happened in the Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons match.

The Falcons had three big turnovers, and every single one gave the Steelers great field position. What did Pittsburgh do with those chances? They scored every time—thanks to Chris Boswell.

• In the first quarter, Kirk Cousins threw an interception to DeShon Elliott. That led to a 51-yard field goal.

• In the third quarter, there was a fumbled snap between Cousins and center Drew Dalman. T.J. Watt recovered it, and Boswell kicked a 56-yard field goal.

• In the fourth quarter, Cousins was picked off again—this time by Donte Jackson, who returned it 49 yards. That gave Boswell an easy 25-yard field goal to seal the game.

Nine of Pittsburgh’s 18 points came right after turnovers. That’s half their total score. Atlanta’s mistakes handed the Steelers a win.

Red Zone Stats and Missed Chances

Even though Pittsburgh won, they didn’t do well inside the red zone. They made it there twice—but didn’t score a touchdown either time. That’s something they’ll want to fix soon.

The Falcons weren’t perfect either, but they at least scored one touchdown out of their two red zone trips. Kyle Pitts caught the only touchdown of the night in the second quarter.

These numbers show why Boswell was so important. Without his long-range kicking, Pittsburgh’s red zone failures could’ve cost them the game.

Third Downs, Fourth Downs, and Drive Efficiency

Staying on the field matters a lot. That’s why third and fourth down plays are so important in the NFL.

The Steelers did a good job here. They converted 8 out of 17 third downs—almost half. On the other side, the Falcons struggled badly, especially after halftime. They went 0-for-5 on third downs in the second half.

On fourth down, each team went for it once. The Falcons made it. The Steelers didn’t. But overall, Pittsburgh kept more drives alive and stayed in control.

Drive efficiency was a big part of the win. The Steelers didn’t score touchdowns, but they moved the ball enough to let Boswell take over.

Special Teams Beyond Boswell

Boswell was the star, but special teams as a whole helped decide this game.

Calvin Austin III returned four punts for the Steelers and averaged 11.8 yards per return. That gave Pittsburgh solid starting field position throughout the night.

When Steelers punter Cameron Johnston got hurt, Boswell even stepped in to punt once—and it went 43 yards! That’s not something you see every day.

For Atlanta, Ray-Ray McCloud III had some nice returns, including a 28-yard punt return and 56 yards on kickoffs. But none of it led to points.

These small plays often go unnoticed, but they helped shift field position—and in a low-scoring game like this, that matters a lot.

Team Stats: Steelers vs Falcons Side-by-Side

Here’s a clean and simple look at how both teams did overall in the Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons match:

The Steelers controlled the clock, ran more plays, and avoided mistakes. That’s how they won—one careful step at a time.

What We Learned from Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons

This game showed that you don’t need flashy plays to win. You just need to avoid mistakes, control the clock, and make the most of every chance.

The Steelers’ defense was excellent, especially in the second half. They shut down Atlanta completely. The offense was careful, and Justin Fields did just enough to keep things moving.

The Falcons need to figure out why their offense collapsed. Kirk Cousins looked good in the first half but struggled after halftime. Bijan Robinson was great early, but Atlanta stopped using him later on.

And of course—Chris Boswell was the difference. He scored every single point for Pittsburgh. Six kicks, six scores, one win.

Bottom-Line

The Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats tell the full story: this was a team win for Pittsburgh, driven by smart play, strong defense, and perfect kicking.

The Falcons will have to fix a lot before their next game—starting with turnovers and second-half energy.

For the Steelers, it’s not just about scoring touchdowns. It’s about being solid in every part of the game. And that’s exactly what they did in this Week 1 win.

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