That touchdown was a textbook example of complementary football, with the defense setting up the offense to put points on the board. The Steelers had some good complementary plays of their own.
Pittsburgh safety Jaquan Brisker picked off a pass from Rush that was high over the middle early in the second quarter, which set up the Steelers’ first touchdown of the game and allowed them to take a 13-7 lead.
Atlanta’s second turnover resulted in points for the home team as well. On the second play of the fourth quarter, the Falcons lined up at their own 44-yard line. Rush took the snap and dropped back, allowing a screen for Robinson to develop. As he released the ball, however, Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt leapt up to intercept the pass. Watt managed to keep his feet and took the interception back 35 yards for the decisive score.
Rush finished his afternoon completing 12 of his 22 pass attempts for 143 yards, one touchdown and the two interceptions. He began taking first-team reps only three days before the Falcons kicked off against the Steelers after Tua Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury in practice on Thursday.
“He battled like I knew he would,” Stefanski said of Rush on Sunday. “Proud of him for how he fought through the end. Obviously, we don’t want to turn the ball over and those kinds of things, but we’ve got to look at ways that we can help.”
Led by an impressive defensive effort and a great day from Robinson, the Falcons found ways to keep Sunday’s game close on the road against an opponent that won the AFC North last season. In Week 1, finding the areas to build upon can be just as important as pointing out what needs to be corrected.
With all four NFC South teams losing in Week 1, the Falcons remain on pace with the rest of their division. Now, Atlanta must take the lessons from this game before its home opener and rivalry rematch against the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.
“The story is: You lose a game, you give them credit, and you’re right back at home this week versus a division opponent,” Stefanski said. “So, we’ll move on quickly from this one tomorrow after we learn from it.”
