Kenny Pickett thrives as Steelers shut out Falcons

[August 25, 2023]  Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett engineered scoring drives on each of his two series as the Steelers routed the host Atlanta Falcons 24-0 on Thursday.
 
Pittsburgh (3-0) opened the game with an eight-play, 92-yard march that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris. The Falcons then went three-and-out, and Calvin Austin III returned the punt 21 yards to the Atlanta 29-yard line. Three plays later, Jaylen Warren ran for an 8-yard score.   

Aug 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Boswell kicked a 38-yard field goal late in the first quarter, and Anthony McFarland Jr.'s 5-yard TD run in the second quarter capped the scoring.

Pickett finished 4 of 4 for 86 yards. Mitchell Trubisky (7 of 9, 54 yards), Mason Rudolph (3 of 7, 15 yards) and Tanner Morgan (1 of 4, minus-4 yards) also saw action at QB for Pittsburgh. McFarland gained 55 yards on 10 carries.

The Falcons (1-1-1) managed just 199 total yards, with 196 coming from quarterback Logan Woodside on 24-of-31 passing. Taylor Heinicke didn't complete either of his two passes. Regular QB Desmond Ridder sat out. Keilahn Harris had six receptions for 71 yards.

--Field Level Media

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