Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats (Sep 8, 2024)
Chris Boswell kicked six field goals Sunday. No touchdowns. No offensive explosions. Just six field goals in Pittsburgh’s 18-10 victory over Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The player statistics from Steelers vs Falcons on September 8, 2024, reveal a defensive battle where special teams decided everything.
Quick Reference Box
Final Score: Pittsburgh 18, Atlanta 10
MVP: Chris Boswell (6/6 FG, 3 from 50+)
Key Stat: Atlanta managed just 51 second-half yards
Turnovers: PIT 0, ATL 3
Attendance: 72,291 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Table of Contents
Score by Quarter and Game Flow
Pittsburgh opened their 2024 NFL season with an unconventional AFC road victory. The Steelers won without reaching the end zone once, with every point coming from Boswell’s right leg in this NFC South venue.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
| Quarter | Pittsburgh | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 3 |
| 2nd | 6 | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 | 0 |
| 4th | 3 | 0 |
| Final | 18 | 10 |
Critical Game Metrics
| Category | Pittsburgh | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 270 | 226 |
| Time of Possession | 35:36 | 24:24 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Third Downs | 8-17 (47.1%) | 2-9 (22.2%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 0-2 (0%) | 1-2 (50%) |
| Total Plays | 66 | 50 |
Pittsburgh ran 16 more offensive plays in this season opener, controlling the game through ball possession and defensive stops.
Justin Fields vs Kirk Cousins: The Quarterback Matchup
Russell Wilson’s calf injury gave Justin Fields his first start in black and gold. The mobile quarterback executed Arthur Smith’s game plan while avoiding costly mistakes. Kirk Cousins made his Atlanta debut after signing with the Falcons in the offseason. His two interceptions proved decisive in this defensive struggle.
Passing Statistics
| Category | Justin Fields | Kirk Cousins |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 17/23 | 16/26 |
| Completion % | 73.9% | 61.5% |
| Passing Yards | 156 | 155 |
| Yards/Attempt | 6.8 | 6.0 |
| TD Passes | 0 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 2 |
| Passer Rating | 91.9 | 59.0 |
| Times Sacked | 2 | 2 |
| Sack Yards Lost | 23 | 18 |
| Longest Completion | 40 | 20 |
Quarterback Rushing Impact
| Player | Attempts | Yards | Average | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Fields | 14 | 57 | 4.1 | 12 |
| Kirk Cousins | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Fields completed 73.9% of his passes while rushing 14 times for 57 yards. Arthur Smith designed specific RPOs and quarterback runs, capitalizing when Atlanta’s edge rushers crashed inside. The strategy helped Pittsburgh convert 8 of 17 third downs.
Cousins connected with Kyle Pitts for a 12-yard touchdown in the second quarter, briefly giving Atlanta a 10-6 lead. But DeShon Elliott intercepted him at the Atlanta 35 in the opening quarter. Donte Jackson’s fourth-quarter interception sealed Atlanta’s fate. Jackson returned it 49 yards after recognizing the same route concept from Atlanta’s earlier touchdown.
Ground Game: AFC North Football in Atlanta
Pittsburgh’s 41 rushing attempts sent a message in this Week 1 matchup. The 3.3 yards per carry average didn’t matter. Clock control did.
Team Rushing Comparison
| Team | Attempts | Yards | Average | TDs | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 41 | 137 | 3.3 | 0 | 20 |
| Atlanta | 22 | 89 | 4.0 | 0 | 13 |
Individual Rushing Leaders
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | YPC | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Najee Harris | PIT | 20 | 70 | 3.5 | 20 |
| Bijan Robinson | ATL | 18 | 68 | 3.8 | 13 |
| Justin Fields | PIT | 14 | 57 | 4.1 | 12 |
| Tyler Allgeier | ATL | 3 | 21 | 7.0 | 13 |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | PIT | 4 | 13 | 3.3 | 5 |
| Jaylen Warren | PIT | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 8 |
| Kirk Cousins | ATL | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| George Pickens | PIT | 1 | -10 | -10.0 | -10 |
Najee Harris carried 20 times for 70 hard-earned yards. Each carry ate clock and forced Atlanta’s defense to respect the run. By the fourth quarter, the Falcons’ defensive line showed fatigue from defending Pittsburgh’s physical approach.
Bijan Robinson produced 111 total yards from scrimmage (68 rushing, 43 receiving), leading all players. Once Atlanta fell behind, they abandoned their ground game. Robinson touched the ball just four times in the final quarter.
Pass Catchers: Pickens Dominates Target Share
George Pickens caught 6 of 7 targets for 85 yards, accounting for 54.5% of Pittsburgh’s passing offense. Without his production, the Steelers had no vertical threat.
Reception Statistics
| Player | Team | Rec | Yards | Avg | Long | Targets | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Pickens | PIT | 6 | 85 | 14.2 | 40 | 7 | 0 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | ATL | 4 | 52 | 13.0 | 20 | 7 | 0 |
| Bijan Robinson | ATL | 5 | 43 | 8.6 | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Pat Freiermuth | PIT | 4 | 27 | 6.8 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Kyle Pitts | ATL | 3 | 26 | 8.7 | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Drake London | ATL | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Darnell Mooney | ATL | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| Jaylen Warren | PIT | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| MyCole Pruitt | PIT | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
Pickens’ 40-yard reception with 32 seconds left in the first half changed everything. Atlanta led 10-6 before that catch. Boswell kicked a 44-yarder eight seconds later, cutting the deficit to 10-9 at halftime.
Joey Porter Jr. dominated Drake London throughout this season opener. The second-year cornerback held Atlanta’s primary receiver to 2 catches for 15 yards. Porter allowed one 7-yard reception in man coverage. His 6-foot-3 frame matched London’s size advantage perfectly. Porter mockingly asked reporters for London’s stats after the game.
Kyle Pitts caught just 3 passes on 3 targets. Atlanta used him primarily as a sixth blocker against T.J. Watt. His touchdown came on play-action where Pittsburgh’s linebackers bit on the run fake.
Chris Boswell: Record-Setting Performance
Boswell made franchise history in this AFC road victory. Six field goals tied the team record. Three from beyond 50 yards set a new Pittsburgh standard.
Field Goal Sequence
| Quarter | Time | Distance | Game Context | Score After |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7:42 | 57 yards | Opening drive stalls | PIT 3-0 |
| 2nd | 9:15 | 51 yards | After Elliott INT | PIT 6-3 |
| 2nd | 0:08 | 44 yards | Following Pickens’ catch | PIT 9-10 |
| 3rd | 8:21 | 56 yards | After Watt fumble recovery | PIT 12-10 |
| 3rd | 2:14 | 40 yards | Sustained 12-play drive | PIT 15-10 |
| 4th | 5:37 | 25 yards | Following Jackson INT | PIT 18-10 |
Safety DeShon Elliott said postgame: “We didn’t win this game. Bos won this game.” Pittsburgh reached scoring range six times. Boswell converted every opportunity.
When Cameron Johnston injured his hip in the third quarter, Boswell became the emergency punter, launching a 43-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Kicking Statistics
| Kicker | FG Made | FG Att | FG % | Long | 50+ FGs | XP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Boswell (PIT) | 6 | 6 | 100% | 57 | 3 | 0-0 | 18 |
| Younghoe Koo (ATL) | 1 | 1 | 100% | 24 | 0 | 1-1 | 4 |
Defensive Dominance: Pittsburgh’s Second-Half Shutout
The Steelers defense transformed after halftime in this Week 1 contest. Atlanta’s offense went from functional to frozen.
Pittsburgh Defensive Leaders
| Player | Total | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | INT | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alex Highsmith | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T.J. Watt | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Beanie Bishop Jr. | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DeShon Elliott | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Cameron Heyward | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
T.J. Watt recovered a fumbled exchange between Drew Dalman and Cousins at Atlanta’s 42-yard line in the third quarter. The Falcons were driving to retake the lead when the botched snap occurred. Three plays later, Boswell drilled his 56-yarder for a 12-10 lead Pittsburgh never surrendered.
Atlanta Defensive Effort
| Player | Total | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaden Elliss | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Hughes | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jessie Bates III | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Troy Andersen | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nate Landman | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matthew Judon | 6 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Grady Jarrett | 3 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 |
Grady Jarrett’s 1.5 sacks included a 15-yard loss on Fields. His performance tied John Abraham’s franchise record for career quarterback hits, a personal milestone during a frustrating home opener.
The Second-Half Statistical Collapse
Atlanta managed just 51 yards after halftime. Pittsburgh’s defensive adjustments completely neutralized the Falcons’ offensive system.
Atlanta’s Offensive Production by Half
| Category | First Half | Second Half | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 175 | 51 | -124 yards |
| Passing Yards | 133 | 22 | -111 yards |
| Rushing Yards | 42 | 47 | +5 yards |
| Points | 10 | 0 | -10 points |
| First Downs | 9 | 6 | -3 |
| Plays Run | 26 | 21 | -5 |
| Yards/Play | 6.7 | 2.4 | -4.3 |
| Third Downs | 2-4 (50%) | 0-5 (0%) | -50% |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 | +1 |
Cousins completed 13 of 18 passes for 133 yards before halftime. After intermission? Just 3 of 8 for 22 yards. Pittsburgh bracketed receivers and mixed coverages, forcing Cousins to hold the ball until the pass rush arrived.
Special Teams Production Beyond Boswell
Field position mattered in this defensive struggle. Both units influenced starting field position throughout the NFC South stadium.
Punting Statistics
| Punter | Team | Punts | Yards | Avg | In 20 | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Johnston | PIT | 2 | 103 | 51.5 | 1 | 58 |
| Chris Boswell | PIT | 1 | 43 | 43.0 | 0 | 43 |
| Bradley Pinion | ATL | 4 | 210 | 52.5 | 0 | 59 |
Return Units
| Returner | Team | Type | Returns | Yards | Avg | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Austin III | PIT | Punt | 4 | 47 | 11.8 | 16 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | ATL | Punt | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 28 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | ATL | Kickoff | 2 | 56 | 28.0 | 29 |
Turnovers: Nine Points in an Eight-Point Game
Each Atlanta turnover led directly to Pittsburgh points in this season-opening matchup.
Turnover Sequence
| Quarter | Type | Player | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | INT | Cousins to Elliott | ATL 35 | Boswell 51-yard FG |
| 3rd | Fumble | Dalman/Cousins | ATL 42 | Boswell 56-yard FG |
| 4th | INT | Cousins to Jackson | ATL 28 | Boswell 25-yard FG |
The fumbled snap killed Atlanta’s momentum just as they were driving to retake the lead. Jackson’s 49-yard return set up a chip shot field goal with 5:37 remaining.
Red Zone Struggles Define Offensive Limitations
Neither team excelled near the goal line. Pittsburgh’s inability to punch it in nearly cost them despite defensive dominance.
Red Zone Performance
| Team | Trips | TDs | FGs | Failed | Points from RZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
Pittsburgh reached the red zone twice but came away empty both times. Stuffed runs ended both possessions. Without Boswell’s range, those failures would have been catastrophic.
Third and Fourth Down Execution
Sustaining drives in this AFC-NFC matchup came down to situational football. Pittsburgh succeeded when necessary. Atlanta couldn’t.
Third Down Conversions
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Total | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 4-8 | 4-9 | 8-17 | 47.1% |
| Atlanta | 2-4 | 0-5 | 2-9 | 22.2% |
Fourth Down Attempts
| Team | Quarter | Distance | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | 3rd | 4th & 2 | ATL 38 | Failed (incomplete) |
| ATL | 2nd | 4th & 1 | PIT 45 | Converted (Robinson) |
Fields’ mobility proved crucial on third downs. Several conversions came from scrambles when the pocket collapsed. Atlanta’s 0-for-5 on third downs after halftime prevented any offensive continuity.
Drive Efficiency Analysis
Each possession mattered in this field position battle at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Drive Statistics
| Team | Drives | Scoring | Avg Plays | Avg Time | Avg Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 10 | 6 | 6.6 | 3:33 | 27.0 |
| Atlanta | 10 | 2 | 5.0 | 2:26 | 22.6 |
Pittsburgh drive results: 6 field goals, 3 punts, 1 turnover on downs
Atlanta drive results: 1 touchdown, 1 field goal, 4 punts, 3 turnovers, 1 end of half
Team Statistics Overview
Complete Statistical Comparison
| Category | Pittsburgh | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 270 | 226 |
| Pass Yards | 133 | 137 |
| Rush Yards | 137 | 89 |
| First Downs | 16 | 15 |
| Pass First Downs | 6 | 8 |
| Rush First Downs | 9 | 6 |
| Penalty First Downs | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd Down % | 47.1% (8-17) | 22.2% (2-9) |
| 4th Down % | 0% (0-1) | 100% (1-1) |
| Red Zone % | 0% (0-2) | 50% (1-2) |
| Plays Run | 66 | 50 |
| Yards/Play | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Penalties | 9-60 | 5-34 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Possession | 35:36 | 24:24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is winning with only field goals?
Since 2000, NFL teams are 5-47 when scoring exclusively through field goals. Pittsburgh’s six field goals matched the most ever in a victory without touchdowns in the Super Bowl era.
Why did Atlanta target Kyle Pitts just three times?
Atlanta assigned Pitts to chip block T.J. Watt repeatedly, limiting his route-running opportunities. When Pitts did release, Pittsburgh often bracketed him with safety help.
Can Fields keep the starting job when Wilson returns?
Fields managed effectively with zero turnovers and a 91.9 passer rating. But conservative play-calling won’t beat Buffalo or Kansas City. Wilson likely reclaims the job when healthy.
How did Pittsburgh’s defense adjust at halftime?
Per team reporting, the Steelers began bracketing Atlanta’s outside receivers while mixing zone and man coverage underneath, forcing Cousins to progress through full reads.
What does this mean for AFC playoff seeding?
Banking non-conference wins proves crucial for Wild Card positioning. With games against Baltimore, Cincinnati, Buffalo, and Kansas City ahead, this victory could matter in January tiebreakers.
Moving Forward After Week 1
Both teams face immediate questions following this unusual season opener. For context on similar defensive battles, see how the Bengals and Ravens matched up statistically in their divisional clash. The Raiders-Bengals breakdown shows another game where turnovers decided everything.
Pittsburgh’s defense appears playoff-caliber, particularly the secondary with Elliott and Jackson contributing immediately. But relying on six field goals won’t work against high-scoring opponents. Arthur Smith needs red zone answers quickly. The AFC North demands offensive touchdowns, not just field goals.
Atlanta must address their second-half offensive collapse. Zero third-down conversions after halftime won’t win games. Cousins needs better protection, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson must find creative ways to get Drake London open against physical coverage. Using Pitts primarily as a blocker wastes elite receiving talent. The defense played well enough, holding Pittsburgh without a touchdown, but turnovers negated their effort.
Game data verified via Fox Sports
The complete Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats from Mercedes-Benz Stadium prove that in today’s NFL, sometimes the most unlikely path to victory still works.
