T.J. Watt’s late pick-6 pushes sluggish Steelers past injury-laden Falcons 20-13

Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 20-13 victory over Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, as part of the debut season for their new head coach Mike McCarthy. Quarterback T.J. Watt played a pivotal role in the win by intercepting a pass from Cooper Rush and returning it 35 yards for a touchdown. This late score broke open a tightly contested game and marked a successful start for McCarthy and the Steelers.

Atlanta Falcons, led by Cooper Rush who filled in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., struggled throughout the game. The Falcons' offense was plagued by dropped passes, penalties, and missed opportunities, allowing the Steelers to maintain a strong defensive presence. Running back Bijan Robinson did contribute 173 of the Falcons' 238 total yards, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Steelers' resilient defense.

In contrast, the Steelers' defense appeared to be in top form, despite the absence of cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who was recovering from a back injury. The team also faced the loss of defensive tackle De’Shawn Hand, who left the game with a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, the Steelers managed to secure the win, signaling a promising start to McCarthy's tenure as the team's head coach.