The Pittsburgh Steelers got a big 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons on a short week and two of their biggest play-makers combined to help seal the deal late in the fourth quarter to get Pittsburgh to 5-7.
The Falcons had some life left in them with 42 seconds to go in the game down a field goal. Starting the drive from deep in their own territory, quarterback Marcus Mariota tried to deliver a strike to Drake London, but with a tip from Cam Heyward, the ball sailed into the hands of All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick comes down with a clutch interception in the team's win over the Atlanta Falcons. (Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Securing the Steelers' First Win Streak
The Steelers' leader in takeaways had room to score his second defensive touchdown of the season, but made the veteran-savvy play to run off the field at the Falcons 4-yard line:
"I knew as soon as I caught it, I've got to get out of bounds," Fitzpatrick said after the game via the Steelers YouTube page. "We've won the game, now let's go home. I'm not trying to add to the stats, I'm good with the win."
The star defensive back was playing at a high level earlier in the season and drawing praise to get his third All-Pro nod before injuries limited his time on the field. Pittsburgh certainly needed him in Atlanta. His smart play to get out at the Falcons' 4-yard line allowed them to trot out the offense and have rookie Kenny Pickett kneel down to kill the clock to secure the win.
Fitzpatrick downplayed that he did anything special when asked if there was anything he did to get the interception:
"Four [verticals], trying to get the ball over the middle right," he said of the play by the Falcons he was able to get the turnover on. "It's just a two-man concept against two high."
The University of Alabama product also led the team with 7 tackles in the game including one for a loss of 4-yards on Falcons Swiss Army knife running back, returner, and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson to force a 51-yard field goal two plays later.
In an emotional game for Heyward returning to a city with immense meaning to him, he was able to come up with the clutch deflection getting right into Mariota's face to force the ball to Fitzpatrick and get the defense's only sack of the afternoon.
For Pittsburgh to keep stacking wins, they will need their best players to show up in the big moments as they did in Atlanta. If they're to hold onto the sliver of hope left for a playoff spot, they will need more performances like the one they had on Sunday.
So, Steeler Nation, do you think Fitzpatrick made the right move to run the ball out? Did you want to see him score? As always, let us know down in the comment section or on social media.
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