With their two-time Super Bowl winning QB Ben Roethlisberger suspended for four games the Pittsburgh Steelers went 
back in history and used a strong running game and a stout defense to get the victory in OT against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at Heinz field.
After taking the defensive contest into an extra quarter, running back Rashard Mendenhall raced 50 yards for the game’s only touchdown on the Steelers first possession in overtime and ended the game 15-9.
This was the eighth consecutive opening day victory for the Steelers and is currently the longest streak in the NFL.
Sunday marked just the second start of backup QB Dennis Dixon’s career. He did an admirable yet unimpressive job going 18-26 for 236 yards with one interception. Mendenhall finished with 120 yards on 22 carries including the one long touchdown sprint.
Ironically this was the third consecutive game between these two teams that has gone into overtime. In 2002 their game ended tied at 34-34 and in 2006 the Falcons and Michael Vick won 41-38.
Both teams performed quite well on the defensive side of the ball but you have to give the edge to the Steelers who managed to hold the Falcons to a total of 58 yards rushing on 25 carries. Falcons stud running back Michael Turner gained just 42 yards on 19 carries.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan looked solid completing 27-of-44 passes for 252 yards throwing and one interception, that miscue to the Steelers All-Pro Troy Polamalu with under two minutes to go in the 4th quarter.
Another notable for the visiting Falcons was WR Roddy White who had a great day against the Steelers secondary snatching 13 catches for 111 yards.
Prior to OT, the team’s placekickers provided all the scoring with Matt Bryant hitting from 49, 39 and 23 yards and Jeff Reed being successful from 52, 36 and 34 yards. Reed did miss a few other kicks; one from 55 yards out when the ball hit the right side upright and again in the 4th quarter when he was wide right from 40 out.
The Steelers have Chris Johnson and the Titans up next week and their defense better be up to the task again or it could get ugly. Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers should be in good position if they can play .500 ball during Big Ben’s four game suspension.
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Used with permission of the author.
Drew Bastian is a Florida-based contributor to Sports Climax.
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