The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-team defense got a long and, at times, frustrating run out against the Atalnta Falcons’ first-, second- and third-choice quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh’s top unit struggled, allowing three long scoring drives anchored by some loose perimeter pass defense and just enough openings up front to keep a Joshua Dobbs-led offense off the field.
In as much as the score to NFL preseason games matter, the Steelers’ early defensive issues became irrelevant when Trey Williams sparked the game open with a 64-yard punt return, James Conner battered away the Falcons’ deep backups and the depth of Pittsburgh’s defensive front dominated their offensive Atlanta counterparts.