[Music] [Applause] well it's finally here the NFL kickoff weekend and what better place to be then Pittsburgh and today the NFL Fox brings you the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers a solid test from both of these teams and welcome everyone to Pittsburgh dick Stockton's along with Charles Davis and let's welcome the new member of our team Jim Mora and right now let's get right to it big story during the offseason Ben Roethlisberger suspended from four games and Byron Leftwich has a knee injury Dennis Dixon is starting today what does that all mean Jim well dick the big question in everyone's mind is how's Dennis Dixon gonna perform in his second career NFL start what dennis has to do is manage the football game he doesn't go out have to go out and win it by himself he has to take care of the football he's got to make sure that he makes good decisions in critical times in the game and he's got to depend on this defense and that's what I'm really excited about is watching the Pittsburgh Steelers defense today the defense is full of prideful men that don't feel like they performed up to their amazing standard last year and have a chip on their shoulder going into this year you know what else they've got a guy with a cape on his back coming back toward Polamalu and they're gonna need him today Charles against a very explosive Atlanta offense and it's an Atlanta offense Jim that wants to test Superman's cape they want to tug on it Matt Ryan is always the story the starting quarterback for the Falcons beginning his third season but for them to fly the way they want to they need that running game they need Michael the burner Turner back last year he was hurt missed five games they missed the playoffs two years ago all 16 games played they made the playoffs it's as simple as that before the Falcons fly they want to do it by running first no question Charles said he's the barometer of this Atlanta Falcon team so we're set to go the Falcons and the Steelers it will be back after this from the verizon NFL Update all right Thank You Lora and now it's time for the autotrader.com Collison who is one catch I've becoming the first tight end in NFL history with a thousand career receptions how does that mean to you it's a it's a big deal I'll have been blessed just and stick around this long and be able to join that group of guys guys like Terry rice Marvin Harrison and me it's just incredible and some I never thought what happened but I'm glad I'm here to do it [Applause] all right Thank You Laura and now it's time for the autotrader.com ultimate quarterback comparison the experienced Matt Ryan will be making his 31st career start for the Falcons today Dennis Dixon only his second career start and the first in Pittsburgh for the Steelers autotrader.com the ultimate automotive marketplace and coming up next the Falcons Steelers opening kickoff you are watching NFL Sunday Ticket of the National Football League and a very pleasant afternoon in Pittsburgh temperature in the mid-60s and the Sun trying to get through the clouds as we get set to start the Steelers have won the toss and they will receive Michael Canaan will kick off to rookie Emmanuel Sanders third round pick out of SMU and this crowd is ripped up all dressed in black and gold and a low kick starts this game Sanders from the two and he brings it out past the 25-yard line and our first look at Dennis Dixon who is starting only his second NFL game but first here in Pittsburgh and kind of got it by default they are the backs and receivers Mike Wallace the second-year wide receiver replacing Santonio Holmes who's now with the Jets and the offensive line two rookie marques Pouncy starts at center flows el Adams the former cowboy in it right tackle for Willie Cologne [Applause] first down from the 26 in the handoff to Rashard Mendenhall and he bangs his way out to the 30-yard line in a gain of four Eric Coleman making the tackle let's take a look at the revamped Atlanta defense in they have five new starters John Abraham's the veteran and Trey Lewis is starting for Donathan Babineaux who's been suspended for a game rookies Sean weatherspoon gets the start and outside linebacker and the big change Dante Robinson former Houston Texan acquired at cornerback second down and six with two tight ends Heath Miller lining up in the backfield and it'll be play-action and the pass to Pete and the tide in close to the horse down Sean Witherspoon the rookie from Missouri making the tackle and right near the first down large first two plays of the game you saw Pittsburgh come out and go heavy sets right away ran the ball the first time faked it now and get it out to their Pro Bowl tight and Heath Miller matched up against the rookie linebacker Sean Wetherspoons a nice look right out of the gate for the scaler and that's what they want to do get Dennis Dixon on the move push in the pocket [Applause] and that's what they've done third down and one and Isaac Redmond who is their outstanding short yardage back gets the call and ripman fights his way for a first down out to the 37 gain of three and the Steelers moved the chains big physical offensive line for Pittsburgh just moving the sticks getting out and good running there by Redman power to football and did you hear the roar from the crowd they love that type of Steeler football appreciative right out of the gate with a Pittsburgh Steeler team that says they want to run the ball more effectively this year maybe not necessarily more and there is Pouncy the rookie center Steelers have had great centers over the years have a late Dixit with a whip to Hines Ward and Lord with his first catch of the year gets about eight and a half yards and the Steelers not far from midfield get nine yards with Kroy Biermann making the tackle about the movement of Heath Miller here the tight end coming across you'll see him right there 83 as he gets a cross field now now he kills throws the kick out block on Brent Grimes to create the alley for the wide receiver to get upfield immediately and gain good yardage and the first two throws Dennis Dix and easy throws to complete get him in a rhythm and get his confidence going second down and one and we go to Richmond again and Redmond will get the first down at the 49 yard line so conservative play calling by Bruce Arians and the Steelers have picked up two first downs right at midfield Mike Tomlin trying to get his team back from a 500-year after the Super Bowl championship two years ago and a great job by Mike Smith who has led the Falcons to back-to-back winning years for the first time in their franchise history Antoine Randall L is in as a third wide receiver and he goes in motion and he does not get the ball it's a fake can they go to Mendenhall on the opposite side and Rashard Mendenhall picks up nine yards so Dixon's first three throws we see a bootleg moving out of the pocket then we see a quick screen and then they come back with him screen to a running back so loose area is doing a nice job early in this game of trying to build the confidence of his young quarterback by giving him easy passes to complete Bruce Arians and of course so we heard a lot during the off season of the Steelers need to go back to the running game and we've seen evidence of that early they just come right out in national and land on lighter quicker defensive line they want to stem and stunts they've gone right out of earlier in the run game second down in one they go to Mendenhall second effort and a first down just at the 40-yard line Weatherspoon making the tackle again a gain of two and this is what the fans would say with this Steeler football this is Steeler football it is nothing fancy we haven't seen any big breakout runs but they're going right into the teeth of the Falcons defense and Mike Tomlin told us on Friday says you know what this is a smaller quicker defensive line we got to pound them a little bit and at home of the big year last year and they expect more of them this time first down on the 40 of Atlanta here comes pressure they give it to Mendenhall and that's not a bad play against pressure Thomas snake Lou making the tackle could have been more but the Steelers will be happy with five yards on first down and do you see how big open field tackling is watch this play early watch deku number 28 coming into your screen if he doesn't make this one on one open field tackle look at a space Mendenhall still has to roam with a blocker downfield [Applause] Mendenhall goes out and the Weldy more comes in it'll be a first down on the 35 of the Falcons second down and five second down and five in the past bobbled by LD lure out of the backfield [Music] this sets up their first third and pressure situations so let's see how the Falcons attack Pittsburgh here in this third and six situation [Applause] it's been interested Bruce Arians has done just about everything out of at least a two tight end set to start this ball game disguising intentions with both tight ends looking heavy and still throwing the ball on this one let's say he's got the wide receivers on the field now he does Charles Gore with Randall L Sanders along with warden Wallace and out of the shotgun on third and six taking off and he's going to be stopped about four yards shy of the first down by Curtis Lofton and that's the running quarterback and you know a lot about that because of the michael vick years with you yeah outstanding that's a coverage sack right there that's an outstanding job they rushed three they dropped eight into coverage and when you're playing against a quarterback that can scramble that can win wasn't with his legs you've got to keep eyes on and so when he does break the contain you can go get him and then you need to get your quarterback down so he doesn't absorb those kinds of hits a 52-yard field goal try coming up for Jeff Reid Sepulveda is the holder [Applause] reeds kick is good Jeff Reid with a 52-yard field goal one side of his career mark giving the Steelers an early three to nothing lead today's game on Fox is sponsored by Southwest Airlines find our fares online only at Southwest Calm and the confluence of the three rivers here in the pittsburgh three to nothing and now maybe dennis dixon can exhale after that first drive yeah great start for that young man right there for four for throwing the ball all easy throws made good decisions protected the ball well that's why he's smiling and a seven minute drive to get points on the board Jeff Reed who provided those points kicking off Darius Norwood from the floor returning for the Falcons and he brings it out to the 25-yard line where Jason the world's makes the tackle mike tomlin very easygoing coach he's been the winner we'll be right back today's game on Fox is sponsored by Bud Light it's the sure sign of a good time here we go [Applause] and we're back in Pittsburgh with the Steelers leading three nothing and the Falcons first offensive possession beginning from the 25 well let's look for a to tony gonzalez here get that thousand out of the way here's Matt Ryan and Ryan going outside and a flag goes down and Gonzales was interfering with by Lamar Woodley the linebacker there's one weakness in the pro ball players game is past coverage Lamar Woodley interference defense number 56 first down he doesn't catch the ball yet but they get the first down and it's not that Lamar Woodley can't cover it's just the confidence level isn't as high as when he's rushing the passer he was in good position just fired a little bit too early got a piece of Gonzalez so a first down on the 30 and there's the pass and the catch by roddy white and roddy white with a four yard pickup and matt ryan who had a great rookie year fell off a little but he's a good one and there's his lineup Harry Douglas is starting for Michael Jenkins who has a shoulder injury and is out of action and the offensive line intact Todd McClure starting his 129th consecutive game and that is a falcon record heavy run set right here second down there's Michael Turner and Turner gets his way past the 30 to the 31 yard line 36 with 2 yard gain and Timmons making the tackle take a look at the Steelers defense Aaron Smith missed 11 games last year so the Steelers have him back at defensive end great line back poor and in the secondary Jim mentioned at Troy Polamalu was back in Brian McFadden after a year in Arizona returns as well at right corner third down and four Ryan with the short droppin through the hands of roddy white incomplete fourth down and the falcons will kick jim how'd you like the defensive set there all of a sudden everyone's mumbling around no one with the hands on the ground where they come in fraud I'll tell you what that creates tremendous confusion for your offensive line and your quarterback trying to figure out your pickups and protection and it's a game of inches you saw that ball slide right off of White's hands there and I'll tell you what in this game you've got to make those plays Antoine Randall L returning the Pittsburgh after a stint with the Redskins and Michael Canaan will punt and good hang time here in a fair catch called for by Randall L and the Steelers will go to work again there's a penalty flag down a field at about the 40 [Applause] holding receiving team during the kick 10-yard penalty from the end of the kick first time out so that will send the Steelers back to inside the 20-yard line Dennis Nixon will go out again after leading the Steelers to the three to nothing Queen city's game on Fox is sponsored by Jeep by FedEx we understand you need a winning game plan FedEx and by Geico 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance [Music] picturesque Pittsburgh with the hills and the Steelers leading three to nothing and after that holding penalty on the punt return we'll start from the 13 [Applause] Corey Peters a rookie from Kentucky in a defensive tackle for parade Jerry for the Falcons [Applause] mendenhall gets a couple on first down and for a game break let's check in with Curt Menefee while a lot of folks wondered when the if at all West Walker would return this season after that bad ACL injury at the end of last year I think he's back nine yard touchdown from Tom Brady Patriots on top of bingo 7-nothing dick tall's and Jim so Brady with a new contract and 59 yards in a touchdown and Wes Welker with a new knee and working quite well with it would you rather have a new contract or a new knee well take the contract thank you second second down and eight Isaac Redmond the first back through trying to reach out close to the 20 gets to the 19 yard line they'll be four yards shy of a first down Lofton Curtis Lofton making the tackle there is a red zone Redmond as they call him coming off the field very valuable short yardage back yeah I like the way they're using him and Minda Hall together they call that their pony package missing two guys who can carry the ball and Redmond is a capable blocker they're down and four [Applause] showing pressure here quick release and incomplete little low for Antwon Randall L over the middle so fourth down coming up punting situation for Pittsburgh and quite simply what the Falcons did there as they showed two guys in the a gaps showing pressure then they dropped off and played man and they had a guy spying Dixon there which I didn't know that they do he's got to make that throw though that's an easy slant route in the outside I believe he was affected by the inside pressure there Lera Queens is back and picking is Daniel Sepulveda and a good kick sending Sapulpa de back to the 26 he's a tough one small as he is and era Queens with the return very valuable para Queens on special teams [Music] Fox Sports is first to bring all fans the ultimate NFL viewing experience and HD experience even if you don't have an HD set with widescreen viewers watching in standard definition are seeing small black strips at the top and bottom of your screen well that's good you're actually seeing more of the field than ever before and the same perspective as your friends with HD without lifting a finger so sit back and enjoy the game and your better view of the action first down on the 32 Michael Turner and ere is Turner who was out five in the last seven games last year picks up three and you notice Atlanta wants to get the ball to Michael Turner all right they came out the first series essentially a three and out if you take away the penalty trying to get Tony Gonzalez his catch didn't get much done but they have to win the early downs they've got to win on first down they've got to win on second down create third and short they're hoping Michael Turner's running will give them better than that ability second down and seven from the 35 getting suppression and his pass way overthrown Tony Gonzalez was the intended receiver they still haven't gotten it to Gonzales for his 1,000th NFL reception watch the pressure on Matt Ryan and Jim you'll love this as a defense of God Troy Polamalu OC made him hop step and reset and I think that hurt his accuracy on the throw now he's high in a way what bothers me that occur though is that they max protected which mean they kept eight guys in and still he felt pressure it's the hair you can't keep the hair out when he's ready to roll third and seven and snowing at Norwood are in and here comes the pressure on Matt Ryan and Matt Ryan County goes back to the 25 couldn't get away from Lamar Woodley who is third in the league at sacks last year with 13 and a half a loss of 10 this crowd going wild back-to-back pressures up the gut and watch what happens in here to number 73 Harvey doll he gets blown right back into the face of Matt Ryan no chance to complete a pass that way look at the power booth hit the power that that wouldn't exhibits there Michael Canaan will kick from the 10 and Antoine Randall L looking to give the Steelers good field position both of these kickers getting great hang time on their punts Randall L from the 21 nowhere to go and he's down at the 28 and great reaction by the Steelers defense [Music] and here's the book that Matt Ryan is looking at with his quarterback coach bill Musgrave right there what he's trying to figure out is who's coming and who's dropping when he sees those exotic looks up front the other thing they're trying to do is figure out coverage on the back end looks to me early here like Ryan's trying to force the ball to Gonzales Steelers with a first down on the 28 Dixon for a 5 for 22 yards early on and a whistle false start penalty against the Steelers [Applause] false start offense number 89 five-yard penalty first down that's the second tight end Matt's faith you know and what you're seeing out of the Steelers early here's a lot of movement out of there tight ends and sometimes that's going to happen now it's first in 15 fall back at the 23 here's bendin hall picking his way up the middle picks up about three yards with Mike Peterson greeting him you noticed with a young quarterback first and 15 backed up does not necessarily mean the balls in the air for the Pittsburgh offense and one of the things Pittsburgh did as a team was take a look at a game film of Tennessee and Jacksonville when Vince Young was a rookie because they want to see how Mike Smith who was running the Jacksonville defense at the time planned for Vince Young who they equate to Dennis Dixon and boy they had a lot of success that day they're hoping that it doesn't happen to them today second down and 12 under three minutes to go and here's Mendenhall and Mendenhall gets to the 30 and for a game break let's check in again with Curt Menefee one of the Steeler is one Dennis Nixon looked like Vince Young is a little taping and study young 56 yards to the family's killer named Washington and Tennessee is on top of Oakland early 73 dick kazantip [Applause] how about that one and not bad now that's the dentist Dixon you know that they want to see all right they want to see that Vince Young not that Vince Young when he was a rookie blame that Jacksonville defense when he was sat five times in that game you covered him with Texas in the BCS Championship game third down and eight here comes pressure again and there is the pass and it's intended for Mike Wallace incomplete it would have been a first down and fourth down coming up and the Falcons hold the Steelers Jim what comes to mind to me on this throw is what Hines Ward told us when we talked to him what he said to Dennis Dixon all week Dennis you have plenty of arm just throw the football don't try and be too perfect you know what young quarterbacks sometimes try to place the football they try to aim the football you know what Dennis just let it fly he's got a big arm he's he's an accurate pack he was an accurate passer at Oregon he's been an accurate passer in the NFL in preseason game let it go and sepulveda lets it go off of his left foot and Eric weaves back to the 24 has some room and Weems gets it out close to the 40-yard line and so the Falcons in a defensive Harold at first quarter three to nothing in favor of the Steelers will get the ball the second game of our fox doubleheader how about the Packers and the Eagles guys what a is that gonna be fun to watch now can't wait to see what Kevin Cobb does now that he is the man in Philadelphia [Music] okay Kevin Cobb and he got a lot of people think that Aaron Rodgers may be the up-and-coming quarterback in the conference and when you talk about elite quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in that conversation now no doubt about it along with the guy we're watching here today number two yes first down at the 38 for the Falcons and this pass intended for Robbie white and the Steelers are yelling for offensive pass interference Ike Taylor was defending on the play well is it former DB coach at D corner I know you had to like that cover I see I pinned him to the sideline and gave nowhere to go picture-perfect we got to get out here that look the Falcons are going to there no huddle and that means the umpire has to quickly get back in a hurry and it's an audible as well on second and 10 Ryan's pass Andrade white making the cat shy of midfield close to the first down covered by Ike Taylor and that was a good reception by Roddy White who's had three outstanding years in a row you know Matt Ryan the the calmness of him all right that crowd the the the crowd got started to get into it they went no huddle to keep the defense static so they couldn't get a substitution in and he found his number-one receiver isolated and hit him and he comes right back to him after great covers on the play before by Taylor 10-yard pick up Eric Weems checks in as a wide out first down on the Falcon 48 keep it on the ground of Michael Turner Turner great second effort gets it to steal or territory the 48 yard line getting four yards you know the first two series the Falcons struggle a little bit to find a rhythm I think they want to put the game in Matt Ryan's hands here with this hurry up office let him make decisions based on what he sees and try to keep the Steelers off-balance a little bit on defense he's not just changing the tempo is making sure they can't substitute on defense either with a stop back and I'll tell you I love this ninja look I thought the ninja look when all the defensive linemen are standing up second and six pressure on Ryan and the out wants a helmet what liens caught the ball and era Queens that's the toughness of this little guy gets five yards and don't forget with the new rule guys as soon as a player's helmet comes off plays dead at that spot and it should be players say hey gonorrhea paramount and it is and that the league's not a tremendous job Steelers are going back to their base package the Falcons going back big Casey Hampton checking back into the game that guy was born to be a nose tackle Brian McFadden made the hit how do you like it up here with the headset James I'm tell you what I'm trying to get used to calling players by name I'm so used to call them by position they're down in one [Applause] that's going to get there that's Pittsburgh Steeler defense right there the helmet comes off on the play before and then they stuff him on third short led by Lawrence Timmons who is Mike Tomlin's first draft pick when he became the head coach the clock shows no time remaining and that will end the first quarter in a defensive grueling battle here in Pittsburgh kickoff weekend NFL on Fox and the Steelers in front of the Falcons three to nothing Dick LeBeau the defensive coordinator inducted into the Hall of Fame this year we start the second quarter dick Stockton Charles Davis jhamora Lora open here in Pittsburgh Michael Canaan punting on fourth down to Antwon Randall L and a good kick keeping it in play in the fair catch by Randall L at the 10 Jim if you've got this if you get this type of alignment with Pittsburgh but look at this s Troy Polamalu now watch what happens there is no gap anywhere to run the football they stone them which allows what it allows the left corner there McFadden to come up and set the edge and essentially make the play but you're right Charles at the point of attack there was no movement and I don't think the Falcons can run the ball power football on third and 2 now first and 10 second and long then I think they can do it but when the Steelers are lined up ready for a power run they can't move out of there yes so far in this game has been the Steelers defensive front controlling things with the Falcons offensive line first from the 10 [Music] Nixon will hand off to Mendenhall and the Falcons all over him no game now the one good thing that's happened on these last two possessions guys is that the Falcons have changed field position in their favor this is the second drive in a row that the Steelers are starting from deep coming out right they're coming out off of the goal line that allows the Falcons now they can hold here Rickey hill position it puts a three point game and you're seeing the changes in field position so you know what Falcons get a good hit a good Drive and find Brian Van Gorder their defensive coordinator trying to keep him tended to help his offense 2nd down and 10 again heat miller lining up in the backfield and the pitches to Mendenhall spinning his way out not a bad run as he gets out to the 15 Curt Menefee has another game break for us Kirk take it away all right did post regular-season game at the new Meadowlands Stadium of the Giants for the fair boys touchdown Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks 26 yards on the score and the Giants leave Carolina as they start the second quarter 7 3 Mitchell again what do you think of the Giants chances here everyone's talking Dallas in the NFC East Charles and I think they love that because they've got a new spirit on defense a Perry fuel if their coordinator guys would come out ready to play and Hakeem Nicks trying to emulate Plus the Coker's third down and five after the run by Mendenhall Dixon given some time here and he grows to Antwon Randall L lunges but will be a yard short of the first down so the field position pays off for the Falcons Jim it does and I'll tell you what I really like what the Falcons are doing on defense here and that third and intermediate the Steelers are anticipating blitz the Falcons are playing three-man rush dropping eight and there it looked like they had a double spy on Dixon and I thought that they did a nice job game planning because they know the best throws for Dennis Dixon or intermediate and deep balls and they covered that one well so pulpit of kicking - Eric Weems fair catch by Weems at the 28 and he's gonna regret that fair catch this is a chess game we have going on in Pittsburgh for our opener Dixon and only his second NFL start against Matt Ryan a little more experienced three-point game today's game on Fox is sponsored by progressive making insurance better find Pizza Hut your a favorite place to serve your favorite pizza your favorites your Pizza Hut and by Toyota and welcome back to Pittsburgh defense you see there upstairs that's what this game is about Dennis Dixon over on the sidelines engineered that first drive that's got a field goal that's been the only story first down at the 28 its toes to Michael Turner and he gets a couple of that's all and here's the book we're talking about that in this case it's not a book but it's a series of photos taken from the sidelines and the end zone right before the ball is snapped and right after the ball snapped so that Bruce Arians here the offensive coordinator between series can get with these young quarterback Dennis Dixon and explain what the but of the Falcons defense is trying to do and then it gives them a visual that helps them as they go through the game second and seven again it's turning and again the Steelers are staunch against the wrong led by James Harrison no gain on the play will bring up third down it's been that's kind of a game where no play by either side has been longer than 10 yards well here's a good reason why the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison helping turn the play back inside he didn't make the play Timmons Casey Hampton did but he turned it inside where traffic was and they cleaned it up third and six Brian thinner in the third down receiver is in there and going deep and making the catch roddy white will have a first down to the 47 yard line that's the longest play from scrimmage 16 yards here's roddy right here running an out route outstanding poise by ryan standing in the pocket especially with the pressure and an outstanding that's a tough route to defend when you're playing inside man leverage like that corner is it the throw flat-out phenomenal from the pocket to the deep outside on the first down at the 48 of Atlanta his tournament and down he goes Lawrence Timmons for a loss on the play you're not going to get an outside run on the Pittsburgh Steelers they try to bounce that out sent there's too much speed they play a three-four defense so they try to corral everything inside there's too much push up the middle as a coach you've got to love what you're seeing because they don't look allowed creases for the runner to come here when they're doing this and making it bounce outside second down and 12 Jarius Norwood checking in it running back Brian will throw it and he'll complete it to Harry Douglas and a first down to the 41 of Pittsburgh a pickup of 13 with Woodley the linebacker downfield defending here King Harry Douglas back has been huge for Matt Ryan the one thing that they missed last year one of the things they missed was a guy who was a catch and run guy all right a guy who can catch it get an up field and turn into bigger yardage they lost him in pre-season never had it all year long these surgery into that campaign Jason Snelling another one of the falcon backs in there at first and ten and Ayers Ryan with protection overthrows Tony Gonzalez they all thought he was going to catch the first pass he was interfered with and finally get that 1,000 under his belt he still has not caught one yeah and Matt Ryan needs to nice to go through his progressions and not focus punt just throwing the ball to Tony Gonzalez Falcons are in in there heavyset that brought an extra offensive tackle in for a tight end will speed tech number 74 and they're overloaded to the Pittsburgh defensive right with linemen second and 10 pressure up the middle handoff to Snelling and there was James Farrior the ageless one making the tackle and limiting spelling to a gain of only one you know I love the way the Pittsburgh Steelers played good defensive football teams have guys on their feet not guys on the ground getting cut and look at all the Steelers on their feet and then the secondary swarmin and pursuing and corralling the running back now it's third and nine and then in Rao you've got to believe this is a pressure down here dick Ryan gets hit as he throws trying to get it to Gonzalez but he got hit as he unleashed that throw and it was ziggy hood who put the pressure on number 96 and a cover for the steelers and good protection up front here if i atlanta great job by Snelling on Ferrier there but the coverage was just outstanding down the field and officially a kits this type of rush there's a breakdown there Ziggy hood where they like old Ziggy hood now they say he's really coming on Mike Tomlin couldn't say enough about him the other day so Michael Keenan will pick on fourth down and Antwon Randall L fair catch inside the 10 so once again the falcons have this Steelers hemmed in long way to go for them in a 3 to nothing game will be back to Pittsburgh after this [Music] great fan base the Pittsburgh Steelers and why not with six Super Bowls to their credit meanwhile starting from the seven yard line Dennis Dixon there's a shark Mendenhall took run by Mendenhall and he gets nine on first down and this is where your eyes carry your feet because all the blocking goes this way but watch Rashard Mendenhall see the opening back that way and get to it excellent job reading see the eyes the eyes carry the feet over running back the spin the move almost a first down [Applause] second down and one they go again to Mendenhall and he appears to be stopped short by Jamal Anderson I'm impressed with the way the Atlanta defensive line is holding up against this power running game because they they are undersized in comparison to what the Pittsburgh Steelers are on offense and they're doing a nice job of holding up in general Jim on the other hand we look look at Dennis Dixon what is he doing that you like so far I'll tell you it dick what I love about Dennis Dick's his numbers aren't overwhelm he's five for seven right he's only 26 yards but we talked about it in the open manage the game don't make mistakes early in the game when it's critical or late in the game we're not there yet late in the game when it's critical know when to tuck the football away and get out of that get to the next down you're not gonna make a first you're not gonna make a great play every play but manage the game make good decisions be careful with the football and he's doing those things so far it'll be third in less than a yard so in a sense if you're a golfer you can't win the tournament on Thursday but you can shoot yourself out of it all right so that's what Dennis Dixit don't shoot yourself out of this ball game early and he hasn't done that is this from a guy who worked in golf broadcasting live in Orlando Florida every other sentence it out of someone's mouth is about golf you pick it up as you go along with it Hey third and one and Isaac Redmond their third down short yardage back checking in it's Redmond who gets the first down and a few more to boom out to the 22 got 5 yards and how about that run guys because in short yardage situations the first play we saw on this Drive we saw what we saw Rashard Mendenhall cutting back and looking for openings here red was just putting his head down and picking up that yardage none of this cutting and twisting none of this saying okay where's the get I'm going straightforward and getting the first down that's the way the Steelers want to play on short yardage yeah that's the way to play Mike Tomlin right there with it Mendenhall back in first down at the 21 [Applause] here's Dixon pass complete to Heath Miller and a flag is down back at the 22 yard line Lofton makes the tackle on Miller who got 16 yards pending the call [Applause] looks like defensive holding head then defense number 56 clearly is defined first down that's showing weatherspoon the number one pick out of Missouri yeah and that's a rookie mistake there his feet he loses his leverage he's supposed to keep inside leverage on the back he gets outside he has to grab him with his arms to try to regain his leverage the official season but you gotta like the throws that Bruce Arians is giving Dennis Dixon Shore the movie right his line of vision able to throw darts I got it up to the 38 now started at the 7 yard line Mendenhall and Redmond in there and the call is to Mendenhall and he brings it out to the 40 yard line and for a game break once again here's Curt Menefee one-time Falcon quarterback Matt Schaub now the man in Houston picking up a Kevin Walter for 22 yards for the Texans on top of in d13 nothing there Charles and Jim up see you guys know all time in be 15 and 1 against attention how about this one you know I like the Texans this year a lot of people do I saw movia Koya their defensive tackle in the offseason he said I can't wait for that opener we owe the Colts something now they own right now 13 nothing they're up and second down in eighth for Dixon has plenty of time and he completes it to Hines Ward sit on his feet high side the Falcon 40 and a fumble on the play let's see Hines Ward to the 21-yard gain held on to the ball watch this route that he run against Dante Robinson great job setting him up with an outside move and then being physical getting inside and not only that understanding that he's not touched let's get up and get more out of the play it'd be interesting to watch Dante Robinson the new acquisition for the Falcons all day playing a new style of coverage for him he's used to press Man play long first down to Rashard Mendenhall tough to bring down and he gets to the 30 a little inside the 35 yard line trae X's Essex with a superb block and a five-yard pickup Jim you know what I'm seeing out there right now the Steelers I've seen their offensive line having fun yeah nothing for nothing like offensive lineman to be able to fire off and smack someone in a run game and I'm so I'm sitting confidence and I'll tell you what don't let this train get off the track and look at the disparity and wait between the offensive line and the defensive line there and as the game wears on that will become critical and that was before breakfast we have to adjust those numbers now second down and five the pass is intercepted and it's Mike Peterson forcing the first the sake of the day by Dennis Dixon who was gone flawless up to this point for 34 remaining in the first half and the Falcons stopped the Steelers served today's game is sponsored by Coors Light the new Silver Bullet aluminum pipe and porch light official beer sponsor of the NFL Steelers marched 58 yards in seven plays they started on their own seven prior to the interception by Peterson and finds Ward trying to calm Dixon down till hey let it go go veteran leadership right there first down at the 28 for the Falcons trail 3 - nothing Brian up the middle and open is Harry Douglas with the catch to midfield [Applause] right on the interception did what they're gonna try and do is get Heath Miller right out here and what Dennis Dixon needs to do is put some touch on the ball instead he fires because that's got to go over Mike Peterson not through him and he throws the ball out on a line yeah no chance and that's just a bad throw he got he yeah that's what he's saying right there he got confused for summary and but he's got to avoid those mistakes in the scoring zone 23 yard gain and under the pressure and a pretty good catch by Darius Norwood in a fake by Norwood and he very nearly gets the first down and may have it still inside the steel or 40 Ryan Clark made the tackle what moves by Darius Norwood well this guy's got rare rare speed and if you let him alone in the open field he can take it the distance and here they end up with the right right tackle Brett Keisel on him and look at this move right there that's classic Jairus never drives me a Gayle sayers when he does those types of things I'm just surprised Ryan was able to get the ball out of his hands and get it to a great catch second down and 1 Falcons on the Steeler 40 Michael Turner first down to the 35 James Harrison on the stop a gain of five and it's a return to Pittsburgh for Mike Mularkey the offensive coordinator of the Falcons who spent 11 years and still loves the city yeah and mike is an outstanding offensive line out stand that you put together great offenses hero news with Pittsburgh and now he's doing the same in Atlanta there's a tremendous job of mixing personnel group and keeping you off balance on defense first down at the 35 Turner again and Turner tripped up from behind by Ziggy hood limiting a poor to 1/2 yard gain by Turner and in Tony Gonzalez who's not known as a great blocker does an excellent job here gives him the edge sustains his boss but I like there is I like Turner's patience ok early in the game and looked like he was trying to force the runs up in there these last couple runs he's looked more patient waiting for the play to develop waiting for the hole to open and then squirting through there we're gonna let the clock run down to the two-minute warning whoever thought that Tony Gonzalez would not make the catch but 1,000 career receptions by 2 minutes remaining in the hand will he has it 2 minutes remaining in the half of great game coming up in the second half of our doubleheader the Packers at the Eagles Kevin Cobb starting the season is the new quarterback Donovan the gab is now with Washington Falcons with a second and five now on the Steeler thirty valo putting pressure on and ryan's pass is caught - Justin Peelle the first catch by the backup tight end picking up two yards go ahead what's making a difference here for the Falcons offense Charles you and I were talking about in the break is they're staying on schedule which means they're getting some yardage on first down they're getting into third and manageable downs where they can get conversions and keep the steelers out of there pressure and that's a big time to stay on schedule on the early downs both the Falcons and Steelers have all three of their timeouts remaining third down and three Matt Ryan and off the chest Jarius Norwood 4th down at a field goal try coming up for the Falcons back-to-back plays we've seen Matt Ryan show maybe a little more athletic ability than he's given credit for he scrambled out of the pocket completed a pass on 2nd down and here on third down going against his body gets it back the other way and it's Jarius Norwood right between the 3 and the 2 a tough catch but boy put it right on him Matt Bryant will try a 46-yard field goal to tie the game and Brian's kick is no good as it tailed off to the right and the Steelers keep their three to nothing lead [Applause] it looked good early [Applause] but not late as Charles and I welcome Jim more to our booth this year is this the most relaxed you've been on a Sunday and sometimes I take it's a little bit different up here than it is down there and I'll tell you what hey thanks for having me I'm having I'm having a great time and stay for the whole game all right you're welcome to stay that's an inside joke first down on p36 this is a runner screen down typically in your two minute situation Dixon goes underneath to Heath Miller Miller will get a first down near midfield and the Steelers in the hurry up now they'll have all three timeouts left and I think that play they're determined whether or not they would stay in a hurry up or not after you guys they had such a good game out near midfield now is it opportunity stay with that's incomplete it might tuck their horns didn't try and just get out of the half but well Dee Moore on the handoff and a terrific defensive play made by Sean Witherspoon the rookie linebacker and now the Steelers will call the first time out of the game and the Steelers have a lot of options here Charles they had three timeouts are down to two there's a lot of time left on the clock they've got good field position so this isn't a real stressful two-minute situation for Dennis Dixon the only scoring in the game was the field goal by Jeff Reed 52 yards out on the first possession of the game and it's the longest field goal by an NFL kicker here in this stadium and I hope that you've seen on our screen some of the new things we've got it box this year right here the timeouts see the lights right there this one that's out that means this one downs I give you three for the half and you'll often see on our box the circle during the play clock show when you have the play clock is winding down get remember the best throws for Dennis Dix are those intermediate crossing type routes where you can see the throw the whole way second down and ten on the 49 of the Steelers 111 on the clock [Applause] for wide receivers and it's tipped nearly intercepted almost right into the hands of John Abraham and for a game break let's immediately go to Curt Menefee in LA while the Houston Texans Matt Schaub is picked off and the Colt turning into points Reggie Wayne bate Manny it's now closed Ivaldi 15-7 winding towards half pound Kenan loosenoose will have only halftime highlights for you in just a bit great job here by the Falcons defense john abraham needs to catch that score but bring him pressure off the left dropping the right hand right into the line of vision of the quarterback where he wants to go hot the Dick LeBeau zone blitz here comes heating in third down and ten Dixon hangs in there and the pass is caught close to the first down by Mike Wallace [Applause] and the whistle stops the clock with 59 seconds showing Mike Wallace the fastest steal a receiver in his second year now Pittsburgh this is their second charge timeout one left for Pittsburgh Jim you just mentioned the heat from the previous play it was his own blitz and John Abraham dropped this time he's doing what he does best running that arc and trying to get to the quarterback making Dennis Dixon step up to make the throw he felt the pressure threw it a little low a nice completion but one thing I noticed guys young young receiver didn't get up and immediately call timeout Mike Tama had to come off the bench and call the timeout coming up on the VESA halftime report curtain Terry Howie Michael and Jimmy scores and highlights from around the league and the Fox sports ticker has up to the second scores and stats and let me tell you Charles if he had jumped up and called a timeout Mike Tomlin might have rung him in the neck because that's not his job they put the timeouts into the hands of the of the head coach now in this league which i think is a good thing he can manage the game rather than having a young quarterback manage it or as you said a young receiver we have a booth review to see whether it was a first down on that catch by Mike Wallace so we'll take a break and return adjustable [Music] I both review on possession by Wallace inside two minutes it becomes a booth review their stock rehearing the plane the plane on the field is confirmed it's a first down and I think that's a good call I mean unless there's indisputable visual evidence you've got to go with the call as it stands on the field and I don't see anything there to make me think that that it's not a first down [Applause] I like what Bruce Arians is doing here with Dixon so far today first down on the Falcon 40 water [Applause] one timeout left for the Steelers Dixon stepping up goes underneath to Burwell Deewar who is it tackled by Steven Nicholas gets four yards there goes the hurry up and they gotta wait for the receivers to come back yeah that's another good decision by Dixon there's nothing down the field just dump it down you've got time and got field position [Applause] at worst try to get into field goal range and here's Dixon and the pass is out of bounds it not happen possession and both feet in did Antwon Randall L immediately called an incomplete pass remember there's no such thing as a force out here about whether the receiver would come down inbounds or not with the catch without being tackled if you don't think bring it down in bounds it's not a catch in this league Thomas deku making the hit on Antwon Randall L so now third down and six dick who's a good young ballplayer the Falcon coaches are really high on him this situation you got to find you're better than receiver I would look for Hines Ward or P Miller here comes he charles around the 37 pressure on Dixon and this pass incomplete intended for Randall L so it's fourth down looked like Randall L was in position to make the catch hit that's rope in there and he didn't turn it loose Jim as you talked about earlier in the game he tried to guide another pass instead he guided it right into the ground yeah and just like the interception he's trying to he's just trying to guide it in and cut it loose let your trust your arm and I'll tell you what I don't like right now I hear some boos out there stay off this young man Jeff Reed made a 52-yard field goal longest ever in the stadium Mike Smith ready to call a timeout to freeze Jeff Reid and pulls it here with 22 seconds left and about five seconds on the play clock so that will be the first time out by the Falcons and so Jeff Reed thinking a little bit more about what would be guys a 55 yard yeah and you don't usually see a coach Freeza a kicker at the end of the half that's something you typically see at the end of the game but with 22 seconds left in the half two timeouts left for the Falcons if he misses this thing they've got field position and a chance to put some points on the board so he's gonna take every advantage that he can get right here and and something you don't see a lot breezing the kicker before the half I like it though I like it and you also have to think Mike Smith thinking the way this game is gone the scoring opportunities are at a premium would you want to make sure to maximize so the career-long kick for read was 53 hit 252 earlier and this one will be a 55 yard kick [Applause] it is no good and it hit the post and bounced away great decision it's this close early in the season plenty of leg for Jeff three Jeff read hit the art bump right hit the upright flush look I've tried to guide it in trying to steer it trying to draw it in and uh just missed it but but wasn't if it wasn't the leg just the accurate is your draw a little golf of lingo again for natural if only I could play as well as I can here a mild thump but a thump nonetheless and I like one of your jump shots you have to try me one day the first down for Atlanta with time running out and passes up the middle and it is ruled a catch by Eric Weems for 17 yards and in to steal or territory and the Falcons call a timeout in a hurry they'll have one left news to say there they can't get in position for a field goal and they're gonna put time back on the clock here we kept going down and cradle it if I were the Steelers I'd not go ahead well look at that's right there two minutes and that ball was low but Weems has got to get his hands under that and make that play I'm not sure that he didn't though well let's see we're gonna find out on the Charles so Matt Ryan coming over to the sidelines and with one timeout left all they really need is a tow about ten yards or so to get in position for a field goal to try to tie this game before intermission and his pastor Adi white and white making the reception and the market at the 32 and now with six seconds left try for it now they might run another point they're gonna run another play I'd kick it here because I just don't like someone mess around with it although the time just got adjusted from 6 to 7 yeah you got time to run one play here you laddie ice under center I have to say this could be a little risky unless they just run the ball we have the same play and it's incomplete and six seconds to go and now they will send on Matt Bryan and I go back to Jim's point he's got Matt Ryan underneath Center he feels very confident in that that he will manage the clock with another quarterback of his Dennis Dixon as inexperienced as he is you don't even kick it then so Matt Bryan who missed the 46 yard field goal this one from 49 to tie it up and the Steelers we can play the same game we can freeze your kicker this is just the opening game of the season now guys how about that is that the coolest timeout that's ever been called well I think a cool coach right there he just gave me Jimmy just gave it a little just let it aside timeout yeah one more time no flare there meanwhile Mike Smith goes up makes a big deal get in the officials face and putting the big tee on for timeout not Mike Tom oh now we're set to go and the field goal try buyback Brian [Applause] and Brian's kick is good to tie it up as time runs out in the first half so a Steeler field goal on the opening drive and now a field goal on the last play by the Falcons as the end of the half we're tied 3-3 Fox NFL Sunday continues with a Visa halftime report after these messages and a word from your local boxing back here in Pittsburgh Tony Gonzalez still without the one reception that would give him 1,000 for his career and it must be an art for coaches calling timeouts do more well we saw two different styles there and what was interesting about that is I first of all have great respect for both of these coaches they're both outstanding and they are contrasting and how they coach the game you would typically think that Mike Tom would be the more demonstrative passionate guy calling the timeout Lee gave it the little timeout again Mike school said cool shot and Mike Smith who's a little more reserved in his mannerisms was more demonstrative so we don't forget it the time that it happened Mike Tomlin was up three let me tell you something Mike Smith was down to the urgency was on Mike Smith the devil true but game day brings out some amazing things on the side when you put those headphones on as a coach on the side you can't believe some of the things that go on between coaches during a game on the sidelines if we set it to each other on the street if you've been public you'd be fighting well you would know as well as anyone having been Thalia now what do we anticipate in the second half guys but I think I think for Atlanta what I've seen is their offensive line kind of came together as the half went on they were getting dominated early and they started to get a few cracks in the defensive front for the running game and Matt Ryan has been very efficient with the ball Dennis Dixon made one big mistake in the first half he cannot do that in the second half no you're right and Pittsburgh's got it they've got to hold things in on offense I think Bruce Arians who I think is a great coach is taking a lot of heat around here which is unfortunate he needs to hone things in a little bit more for Dixon and come back to the short throws not trying to push it down the field as much well the Falcons will get the ball first here in the third quarter Jarius Norwood from the four [Applause] and Norwood brings it out close to the 25 as we send it down to Laura Oakland thanks dick I talked to Mike Smith he said offensively we handled the surge he said our protection and are blocking got better and that's why our drive started to get better he said that's the key for the second half also he said was scoring so hard so come on it's gonna come down to field position and we heard overs after Mike Tomlin he's happy with how Dennis Dixon is playing right now we said his communication good he is settled down he said VisiCalc physicality huge in the second half he said it fatigue is a factor in the first game of the season we want to make them wilt before we do alright Lauren good job first down on the 23 for the Falcons and they have spread it out and Gonzalez is about to get his first catch here welcome Eric leans and they won't stop the game for Eric we've touching a pass that falls not going to the sidelines at the six yard gain and they're not gonna stop at four tony gonzalez because they're in pittsburgh and here's the no-huddle again three three to score bill gold opening drive filled Golda in the first half that's the scoring story notice is a no-huddle but it's not a hurry up no huddle second and five and Michael Turner gets by one defendant and he'll pick up the first down out to the 35 James Farrior missed a chance to get Turner behind the line this could have been such a negative play watch Ferrier number 51 he's got the opportunity to stop this at the line of scrimmage or behind it he misses Turner and he cuts up inside Paul Amato for a nice game on first down play action Ryan and Weems did he keep his feet inbounds yes he did he had the catch the official was right there and he gets nine yards well two things the feet keeping him balanced but a great job coming back to the football and that's what you've got to do on those outside throws you got to keep coming back to the football working towards the line of scrimmage and Weems does an outstanding job there and Charles to your point there's a big difference between a hurry-up offense and in no huddle office with this no huddle just has allows them to keep Pittsburgh with the same personnel group on the field and here is Turner and not letting go was Aaron Smith making the tackle after the short game by the way Casey Hampton the nose tackle for the Steelers is on the sidelines with a hamstring pull questionable as to is returned there's Brett Keisel who made the play Nick Eason has replaced Hampton at the nose first down and the quick tan I don't think roddy white was ready for that no that was a that was gonna be a run play and this was going to be a run play and he's thinking about his blocking his Simon initially and he stumbles humble he just stumbled guys if you if you look at that again he was ready his eyes were right back into Matt Ryan he just stumbled coming out trying to catch the football like I said he was ready but he just stumbled white butt doesn't work first get it arathi again stays inbounds and gets into Steeler territory five-yard pickup with Ike Taylor defending and that's twice in this game where roddy white didn't get a catch and the very next play matt ryan came right back to him he did in the first half on a sideline route this time he comes back that smokes with the smoker out to the outside yeah and here's the the falcons office once again in a manageable third and five situation veterans in the backfield form here Brian on a design rollout and there it is the catch by Tony Gonzalez 1000 career receptions and it comes early here in this third quarter dick this may come back because they're going to tony gonzalez was out of bounds when he converted the route see right there good good receive this foot out of bounds then came back in I think the flattery to a wall number 88 of the arms came back in to five here are apparently repeat third down you can't be the first to touch the ball after you've gone out of bounds and so well how frustrating is this for Tony Gonzalez but this is this is the watch the reason why he goes out of bounds he's supposed to run to the outside balls nut he can't get it there so he converts the route turns up field and that's where he steps out of bounds and then comes back Charles I've been ready with the call for Gonzalez and I've been saving it I got slipping up tomorrow gonna tell Tony get the cat's Willie he's not even in the game now so I gotta wait two defensive linemen for the Steelers and here is the pass fighting for the ball and making the cats at the 40-yard line is roddy white what catches he's made today for the Falcons I love the way he sets him up inside and then comes back but guys sometimes you just have to give credit for the cash because the coverage was excellent by Brian McFadden he did not take the bait inside worked with him outside and Ronnie white just bought it before the football and 114 yards and the Falcons are driving they're on the Steeler 40 Turner Turner has not gotten much today in fact before that last play at average is only two and a half yards per carry James Harrison that time making the play Jim you mentioned a little while ago that you're seeing Matt Ryan become an elite quarterback I think this drive is encapsulating it because they're putting a lot on him for the check with me he makes the calls now it's a no huddle not a hurry up he's seeing the formations he seen the defense he's calling to place you're absolutely right second down and 10 from the 43 from behind and Ryan throwing and it's caught by Tony Gonzalez and that will count yes Tommy cut Salas takes into early in this third quarter and he makes reception number 1,000 in his career only the seventh in league history to catch a thousand passes and the very first tight end and a great fit and a great Pittsburgh reception some tears some boos but look at it work up into the scene and a nice throw by Ryan throwing it over Woodley and in front of Polamalu and of course Gonzalez with a thousand cash twenty art gained and I can go home now please don't stay with us first down at the 21 here comes the pressure on Ryan and on the fade pattern trying to get it to Brian Finneran but covered well by Ike Taylor [Applause] you know everything all around him how about that Jim you know all this madness around Matt Ryan and he just moves with a little depth slide step and then steps up into the pocket to give Tony Gonzalez more of an opening and puts the ball on him for the thousand catch of his career and that ball is going to Canton right there Steelers continued with only two defensive linemen here and this pass intended for white thrown out of bounds Brian how to get rid of it in a hurry you with the pressure I'll tell you what i Taylor coming free Oh Ryan feels it right I'll tell you what's so impressive right now about Mount Ryan is that Pittsburgh is bringing it down after down after down he's avoiding the rush he's getting rid of the foot rid of the football he's making accurate throws and then he sprawled it away we're in the Quitman situation dictates third down and 10 at the 21 Jarius Norwood is lined up as a receiver and the pass intended for white overthrown again and this time McFadden with good coverage to tell you the Steelers defensive secondary having a huge game Charles yeah they're playing awfully well and that allows what that allows their big guys up front to rush the passer to actually get there that time Lamar Woodley number 56 and James Harrison number 92 they were able to put pressure on Matt Ryan because the coverage was so good so Matt Bryant is on now to try to put the Falcons in front this would be a 39 yard [Applause] and that Bryon's kick is good sign in December of Oh 9 after spending four years with Tampa Bay Mike Smith enjoys a lead for the first time today six to three today's game on Fox is sponsored by Southwest Airlines find our fares online only at Southwest calm by Taco Bell think outside the bun by Wall Street money Never Sleeps of September 24th only in theatres and by Bud Light line that just right taste of Bud Light with a refreshing splash of 100% natural mine flavour welcome back to Pittsburgh and that's Casey Hampton obviously through for the day with a hamstring pull the Steelers nose tackle falcons taking a 6 to 3 lead and michael canaan kicking off and back T Emanuel Sanders for the Steelers and a good kick and Sanders will just take it out on the 20-yard line and we'll take a break right here in Pittsburgh trying to come back [Music] back in Pittsburgh the Steelers will start from the 20-yard line and I'm sure light of the fans guys are saying I know we don't have Ben Roethlisberger for four weeks and two and two would be nice but if Ben were here maybe the picture would be different even though Dixon's only made one real mistake first down they hand off to a shark Mendenhall and he'll get a yard maybe two he raised an interesting point though you talk about the fans and Ben Roethlisberger and how it works this is a Steelers team led by Mike Tomlin that hasn't moved on that's the wrong term but they've dealt with the situation they know they knew what was going down it's a veteran team and by the way they didn't vote been a captain also signifying we're ready to go play this year with you or without you second down and eight Dixon Dixon's going deep for Wallace and Mike Wallace makes the catch [Applause] said about 225 [Music] once again play-action allows Dixon to get a deeper drop but the protection look at the protection gives him time to deliver a strike to Mike Wallace 52-yard playing last year Mike Wallace is only in his second season led the NFL and yards per catch at nearly nineteen and a half so he has been a big play man and a first down on the Falcon 26 Rashard Mendenhall tough yards up the middle gets to the 24 [Applause] that big physical offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers let's look and see how this happens down that down the stretch here into the fourth quarter they start wearing that smaller quicker Falcon defensive line down and don't forget they have a rookie in the middle of marquise Pouncy who's doing a tremendous job helping with line calls and handling people up front glozell Adams 12 year veteran from the Cowboys at right tackles second down and eight Dixon getting a rush no chance John Abraham came right in virtually untouched and gets the sack and a loss of seven yards and the first sack of the game way to go Jim yeah way to put it on I was lucky to coach John Abraham in 2006 and he has rare rare first step quickness and they put him over there our Mac stars and he just ran right around him and that's what aid can do he runs like a darn gazaÃs I used to try to run Striders with him in the offseason I'd be running as hard as I could I'd look at even look like you weren't even working so now it's third and 15 back to the 30 [Applause] and the slant flag is down at the 30-yard line and the cash start offense number 71 five-yard penalty we're down glozell Adams with the false start will nullify that catch by Randall L and right now they moving into a position where this would be a long field goal try yeah and the smart play right here for Bruce Arians is run a draw run a draw and the ball is at the 35 this is where defensive coordinators really protect the line aggressively because of field goal you might come after them again to try and knock them out a field goal range and they're matching it up here [Applause] three-man rush [Applause] Dixon chased by Biermann [Applause] and his name is caught by played by ward coming back to the play after the pass rush and the Steelers are short of the first down but they certainly are in field goal range now at the 17 look at the pitch little look at the protection that he gets and then when he flushes he keeps his eyes downfield gets almost to the sidelines and able to deliver that really all arm in Hines Ward coming back to the football puts him in a great spot to kick a field goal and Reed is on looking at I it up this will be a 36 yard attempt Reed had a 52-yard field goal earlier and Jeff Reed's kick is good and we're tied at six I don't know why because we have a defensive coach here that we have to have a low-scoring game but we Justin for that and I don't know I don't know [Music] today's game on Fox is sponsored by the new 2011 Mustang a whole new breed of car back in Pittsburgh what addiction show you on that one Jamar he showed me how much he's matured we saw a place similar to that in the preseason we made the decision to throw it in the end zones interception they're great command of the play Jarius norwood down it there take it out on the 20 good kickoff by Reed we'll take a break Matt Ryan who's completed 15 of 26 for 159 yards [Music] look what Matt Ryan has done since the early start you talked about an attorney that's why they call it natty ice not worried about the 1 for 4 start that's why it leads him to the 14 422 if thereafter and the Terrible Towels or until do from the 20 Turner not been able o to get Unleashed so far today Brian McFadden bolts him after a six yard pickup feel like the offensive line of Atlanta is doing a much better job from about midway through the second quarter through now of escorting their backs to the line of scrimmage to give him the opportunity to gain yardage earlier in the game the penetration was big they weren't able to get back to the line of scrimmage Tony Gonzalez right in front of me right here the tight end lined up wide second down and four and the pass Harry Douglas was crossing over and may have enough for the first down at the 30 Charles you talked about the line I like what their wide receivers are doing and blocking when we talked to Mike Mularkey last night he said he wanted them to take a Hines Ward type approach just a simple out route it's third and one quarterback sneak by Matt Ryan and the way the officials are running in we may need a spot here and it is a first down as Matt Ryan goes back to his huddle nothing but field goals in this game to by each team Steelers by the way of one seven consecutive opening games the longest current streak in the NFL and coming up next the Packers in the Eagles and what a start in the second half of our Fox NFL double-header first down at the 31 and the slant to rowdy white and white picks up about six and a half yards covered by Taylor they just isolated rowdy white on that place simply by formation trade it over from one side to leave rowdy white by himself on the wide side whether it's zone or man it essentially becomes man-to-man coverage when they're throwing out one-on-one yeah and that was a called run in the huddle just a great adjustment between white and the quarterback there Matt Ryan white with seven catches leads the parade and the handoff is to Turner an internal gets hit by whole omalo and then the Ryan Clark a great penetration upfront by the Pittsburgh Steelers causes Turner to dance watch these guys penetrate and you can get in that when you can get into the backfield like we're getting here and stay on your feet and you've got fast linebackers like the Steelers do and I'll tell you what you're going to corral a guy like Michael Turner too much dancing in the back but it's caused by the penetration third down and one and the Steelers defending against a three tight end formation Brian throwing against it and completing it to Justin Peelle and the tight end makes the grab at the 48 yard line of the Falcons at 8 yard pickup and a first down then throwing in that third in one situation Jim is that a sign of the respect they have for the defense in front of the Steelers worried about running on third and one in that situation well I think so you know we early in the game we saw him try to power it up in there didn't work and they're they getting their three tied in formation and they run a quick route there and hit peel they see Hampton not in there Chris Hulk is the nose tackle on first down gets hit by James Harrison from behind and a loss of five second time the Steelers have gotten the Matt Ryan today look at the jump Harrison gap on Sam Baker he was essentially he time to snap count so perfectly that he was by Sam Baker almost before Sam got out of his stands Matt Ryan had no opportunity yeah he saw Abraham do it loud he says hey you know what I can do that too might have to go to the hard count see if they're jumping and timing him up second and 15 on the 44 as time goes up the middle to Jason Stelling out of the backfield and right now a game break Curt Menefee from LA a lot of Atlanta fans saw Knowshon Moreno do this in the University of Georgia look leapfrogging in little stutter step here you never score on this play does a couple days later from yard out Jacksonville in Novato is tied into 14 but boy that was pretty wasn't it yeah no Shawn Moreno what you saw a lot of him outstanding young back well proud and full throat [Applause] and incomplete intended for roddy white and Brian McFadden in a second tour of duty with the Steelers and it play the last couple of games and preseason we saw the play earlier where Madden got his hand and didn't get it in there and I'll tell you what the confidence that Matt Ryan has and throwing the deep out route to roddy white is very very very impressed because that is a tough throw to make Michael Canaan on fourth down kicking to Antwon Randall L just outside of two minutes to go in the third quarter it's going to bounce and the Falcons will have a chance to down it and they will at about the six yard line this has been a defensive battle all the way reflected in the faces of both of these teams 6 6 the score with 153 left in the third well Dennis Dixon on that last drive the first drive of the second half he showed me something there showed some poise in the pocket hits Mike Wallace down deep and then the play that was most impressive was the third and long play could have stuck that bound could have thrown the ball away had the confidence step up and throw it down there and give a chance to kick the field goal and they did and we're tied but now starting from the 8 yard line is Dixon Scott Mendenhall and Redmond both in the backfield and under pressure this pass Mendenhall out to the 14 yard line well this week on Fox saturday baseball the pennant race continues to heat up as the Braves look to keep pace with the Phillies in the NL East take on the Mets Padres and Cardinals that's a big one Albert Pujols and the Tigers looking to play spoiler as they battle the White Sox coverage of Fox saturday baseball begins this week at 4:00 p.m. Eastern 1 Pacific on Fox check local listings for the game and start time in your area second and four nothing for Mendenhall and a stealer is shaken up Stark's max starts the left tackle as you know the Steelers already lost their right tackle Willie Cologne to a torn Achilles that he suffered in June thus the acquisition of glozell Adams who was signed there is Willie Cologne and he's done a nice job trying to get flow Zell Adams ready to play he and Trey Essex they're starting right guard a lot of extra time trying to help flow they'll move from the left side to the right side and now with max Starks out who actually volunteered to move over to the right side to help out flows l Adams but they said no you stay on the left side he's hurt which means Jonathan Scott will come into the game the swing tackle to play for him and it's a good thing it's not a third and long he cuts if it was watch out for John Abraham who's licking his chops right now there's Mac Starks they're working against Johnny Abraham and he gets rolled up on from the inside that looks like one of those high ankle sprain possibilities let's hope he's going to be all right they need that big fella protecting the young quarterback man when you're carrying 3:45 around and you roll your ankle that's what it's amazes me about people who are predicting the season and who's going to be in the Super Bowl when you don't know whether when the injuries will happen or where often it's the healthiest team that this doesn't look good he can't put the dimness sidelines don't work on him there but coming into this guy's two factions of this dealers ballclub we're taking this game personally the offensive line and I'm cleaning the tight ends because they wanted to really help the young quarterback and the defense who said guys we've got to take responsibility for this young quarterback and take care of this ball game for him thus far today I think both sides are doing a nice job upholding their into the bargain there you saw Jonathan Scott is here mentioned come into the game in a sports season but get him on the move here at all here's what they did is they put a tight end over there next to them widen a bout a little bit giving a little help third down and three on the 15 Steelers have lost one lineman on each side of the ball Casey Hampton and now Mack Starks Dixon [Applause] and did he get enough for the first down I think he's gonna be a little shorter Kurt Curtis Lofton making the play that might have prevented the first down well the ball now hey this it's a ball the balls got to get to that line and it doesn't is not it is not he didn't make it he did not make it I'll tell you what I think it's further back in the where they spot it you see the pressure they John hit John Abraham applied there he went right down the middle on Jonathan Scott I agree totally I think they get an excellent spot because that ball there should be spotted in there not where it ends up being spotted hey they're measuring it but Daniel Sapulpa the big punter is already on the field so that's what the Steelers think about their chances of getting the first down here yeah if they're short there I would say you draught you see the red flag come out real quick if they gave him the first down there Mike Smith but I had it in his hand already so fourth down and about a foot and a half with 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter and there's era Queens last punt return for a touchdown two years ago by Harry Douglas against the Panthers [Music] is when they need a big shot out of sepulveda he has a monster leg and earlier in the game he kicked them out of trouble they need another one from it most of it have been London high kicks this one directional kick away from Weems and falls for the fair catch after 36 not bad at all for the Pittsburgh Steelers to get out of trouble but what a gruelling opener we have in this game with you know the field goals the only scoring and the defense is dominating well you know what I don't know how the people that like points scored feel about this game but as the demons of code I'm like this is a great football game right here man but what's interesting to me is that you would expect this out of Pittsburgh this is now this is normal for them playing this type of a game this type of the defensive struggle but for Atlanta 28th ranked defense last year in the NFL they've got to be heartened by what they're seeing how they're hanging in there and Brian Matt Gorder is done a tremendous job with this Atlanta defense five new starters in the lineup today for the Falcons and we have not had a touchdown scored that Ryan's starting from the 37 hands off to Michael Turner and James barrier brings Turner down after a gain of only one and that will be the last play of this third quarter neither team has been able to run the ball in this game six six after three welcome back to Pittsburgh bad news for Pittsburgh fans and especially for Dennis Dixon left tackle Mack Starks carted on the LD is going to undergo x-rays looks like it's his left ankle I can tell you every time the staff was touching that ankle you yelled out in pain I'll give you an update as soon as I get one day all right Laura thank you very much in on the first play of the fourth quarter Matt Ryan dumps it off to Michael Turner and Turner picks up about eight yards to the 45 I'll tell you what Matt Ryan is so impressive throwing the deep out slipping and sliding in the pocket and hitting the check down there managing the game I love the way Mike Mularkey gave him the keys to the car there the third quarter said drive it with the no ha the he's going to be all know this is stating the obvious this is going to be a superstar third down and two Brian's pass nearly intercepted and right in the hands of William gay then they go back who started practically all of last year on the pass intended for Gonzalez you simply have to stop praising people I ought tell you because when you do it this is what happens watch this watch gay just reading the eyes moving lap moving a sideways into the route and should have been an interception Matt Ryan was on that the whole way with Gonzalez and gay had a chance for a huge play so Michael Canaan will be kicking again in Antwon Randall L lower kick than usual and Randall L is hit immediately and that is Christopher Owens and Randall L did all he could to hold onto that ball I would think and not turn it over yeah it's exactly right dick I mean just holding on to the ball was a victory there because he got there timed it up perfectly probably would have liked to have had about another half step don't you think Jim yeah then he could have really lowered the bull mountain yeah but I'll tell you what this guy right here he is a great punt returner hidden player in this league he knew what was coming he knew how to protect the football guys like Randall they don't make many mistakes back there well what it's an interesting game we start the fourth quarter and which team is going to have the long drive for a touchdown or maybe the long play for the touchdown starting here on the seventeen [Applause] Rashard Mendenhall and not much there and the falcons saying the ball was jarred loose and they would have possession that multiple whistle which usually signifies ball was down right so you don't worry about that ball the officials determined of the ball was not out he's down clearly before the ball comes out dick you you you posed that question we've seen the one deep throw the Dennis Dixon completed the Wallace I'm wondering if the Falcons are still playing field position is Mike Smith told Mauro minute the half if they get better field position they might take their shot downfield to second down and eight Dickson's pass and that was nearly picked off by Christopher Owens on the throw intended for Mike Wallace I'm gonna say it again and I said it earlier throw the ball inside don't throw the ball outside when he throws the ball outside he gets in trouble when he throws the ball between the numbers between the hashes he's making play Bruce Arians I know you I love you throw the ball in side then we get a direct line you to blue so you hear that now you think they should throw it inside is that I think what he said was throw it inside think so too huh I agree with everyone third down and eight spreading it out with three wide receivers on the right it comes the pressure from the corners and Dixon [Applause] it's gonna be what a play on a tip bowl and the catch by Hines Ward [Applause] you know Hines Ward told us Friday when we met when he says you know we've got to make some plays for Dennis Dix and we've got to make some plays we've got to help this young man and he did that right there the vet look at him stay with it I love Hines Ward what a competitor what a pro concentration what concentration what a big play at the right time how about the touch by Dixon not just the touch but the movement in the pocket get down to the downfield and did his flush and run he throw it 24 yard gain and there's Dixon again and wide open his board again Hines Ward to the 32 of Atlanta 25 yards look at Dennis Dixon in the pocket eyes constantly scanning the field before he finds Hines Ward down foot down field and down the middle and a first down at the 32 - catches by Hines Ward for 49 yards in a row now they give it to Mendenhall and this has been a broken record record Mendenhall is stopped by Mike Peterson and Jamaal Anderson case you're wondering Mendenhall is gained 46 yards rushing in Turner 36 so the running game is not a factor today no and this is two teams like to run the football but very very good defense being played here today and that's it that might be the understatement of the of the broadcast right there yeah you got to be proud of what you're seeing defensively I'm so happy to see the Falcons playing defense like this because you know the Steelers would well you knew the Steelers will be the file of the fountains didn't Bryan Van Gorder do an excellent job at that be the second down and 10 at the 32 and they're spending Hall universe first down to the 19 Chauncey Davis with a tackle 13-yard pickup and how about this Mac Starks is out of the lineup but that's his side of the ball Jonathan Scott comes in and does a nice job along with Essex and look at Pouncy 53 leading Essex gets the block right there number 71 and that gets Mendenhall to the third the third level which is the secondary first down on the 19 the Steelers threatening in a 6 6 game and here's Mendenhall again but he will lose a couple as we send it to LA and a game break with dirt Menifee Kurt back across from the 10,000 career receiving yards mark earlier in the game Chad Ochocinco ties Paul pickies for the bingos receiving touchdown record that's his 63rd pull since a little bit closer to New England 21:17 as they start the fourth quarter the dick tall's and Jim may be the biggest surprises he just simply went back over the sidelines that is the biggest surprise well when you down 3117 that's the best thing to do go to the bench and try and go back and scores some more second down and 11 on the 20 the pass batted down by Chauncey Davis [Applause] didn't have to go that high to get the hands on the ball either well he's good he didn't get knocked down get cut you know when you're gonna throw that quick screen out there you've got to cut the defensive end right here see he tries to he just jumps over it's just an athletic move by Chauncey there and you know we drafted Chauncey when I was first in Atlanta the kids an athletic guy playing out riding more suited play inside shows great athleticism there though biggest third down to the game right here both teams Steelers need 11 they are in field goal range however Dixon's pass and it's caught by Antoine Randall L against to the 16 yard line will be short of the first down by six yards but Jeff Reed will come into the game and try to give the Steelers the lead why was that the biggest third down because points have been at a premium we're tied at 6 Steelers one of the better drives of the game not able to put it in the end zone which would have put a lot of pressure on the Falcons offense and the Falcons defense hold them to a three point attempt they feel good about themselves Drive started at the 17 this will be a 34 yard attempt by Reed who is 2 for 3 today and reads kick and it's good barely good just got inside the right upright but the Steelers will take it and a 9 to 6 leaves with 854 remaining in the fourth today's game on Fox is sponsored by State Farm with 17,000 agents we've got the best lineup in the game by GMC the official vehicle of the NFL and by etrade Steelers lead 9 6 there is some Hines Ward talking with Mike Tomlin yeah I think he's telling me you know what you've done a heck of a job all week with Dennis Dixon and it's paying off you see Lyons word go make those two spectacular plays for them in critical situations there that's what a leader does that's what a pro does and that's what you love about Hines Ward who made his 900th career catch on that drive running up his Jarius Norwood and Norwood with a good return up to the 30-yard line as the Falcons come back the Steelers with the first lead since three to nothing up by three timeout Christopher Owens being helped off the field and they're working on Eric Coleman so right now the Falcons have their strong safety and their nickel corner hurt and early in the year when you start predicting who's going to make the Superbowl and who's going to win two visions and all those things that's something you can't account for as injuries before you take big drive here for the Pittsburgh Steeler defense first down at the 31 Norwood is the running back for the Falcons and ere is Norway that's some space and Timmons makes the tackle and a gain of six one of the Giants two and Curt Menefee with a game break no touchdowns in your game Hakeem Nicks and Eli Manning had enough for everybody this is the third time hooking up for Dinitz for today and Carolina and the Giants keep going back and forth right now New York up by eight going into the fourth quarter pitfalls and Jim little breathing room for the times here I think they remember what care a lot of laid out of last December yes Falcons have out game for the Steelers have out game the Falcons in the total yardage here is Turner back in the game and a Turner close to the first down as he crosses the 40 Lawrence Timmons making the tackle I'll tell you what we talked to James fair yesterday talked about having to wrap this guy up and big physical bruising runner good tackle in there though earlier in the game on this type of short yardage a went quarterback sneak out of the heavyset rather than take the ball away from the line of scrimmage well here they're unbalanced for they're left third and one with Turner in the backfield and they flip it out to tarriest Norwood and let's see if he got enough impetus to get the first down it was Brian McFadden who forced the play from the secondary I'll tell you what regardless of this is a first down or not that is one heck of a play by Brian McFadden in the open field versus an athlete like Jairus Norwood this is the danger of taking the ball away from the line of scrimmage and that type of assures Polamalu who almost knocked the ball free in the backfield and McFadden with the tackle we're gonna have a measurement here he's got it he's got it by a football dick Paul Amato almost not Jim I won't argue with you especially now [Applause] but that play by Polamalu how close was that what is what I say yeah the press yes I'm gonna tell you what let's watch Mike Tomlin here might pull the red flag [Applause] now he's now he's going to keep in this pocket and that's smart be it's not a high percent like this it's not a high percentage challenge right there first out on the Falcon 42 here comes pressure up the middle the ball is loose and it's a free ball and it's picked up by the Steelers and is James Harrison & Harrison goes in flag is down at the 30-yard line [Applause] it's gonna come back that's going to come back that's an incomplete pass arm was needed for the ball they returned legal walk in the back number 76 10-yard well you know with flagel the challenge flag has already come out and Mike Smith this one was obviously it was buddy explained it was obvious challenging right there forward motion with your nose obvious but I like what the officials are doing or what the league's doing by letting them play the play out yes the challenge in effect [Music] today's game is sponsored by Chevrolet every model is backed by a 100,000 mile five-year powertrain limited warranty former head of NFL officials Mike Pereira with us now in the Fox command center great to have it with us what about this play Mike well yeah it's got a look now did he have control of the ball with the arm going forward and I think he did I think this is an incomplete pass he had clear control and arm was clearly going forward this gets reversed in my opinion Mike what about the idea these officials go ahead and play in that letting this get plays play out rather than blowing them dead and possibly being wrong I think we've gotten away from that I think you really want to officiate by instinct call them the way they are because pass one well you can review either way that's not green backing you up Mike Pereira and thank you reset the game clock for two sick 48 coming in with your views and so lien is not charged with it is an incomplete pass no touchdown by the Steelers and the Falcons are not charged with a timeout so that is a critical play in the game even though when you looked at it it really wasn't that hard to judge no it was an easy car but you know I've made a habit of arguing with my career and my do it again there I think you got to let the plague that was a touchdown that wouldn't have been a recovery and stop the ball had the whistle blowing so I uh I like the way the officials let it play out second down and ten Scott Green doing a great job of explaining it all ball is at the 41 here comes the pressure picked up nicely by the Falcons and the past caught by Ronnie white the Steeler 40 yard line and Atlanta with a big strike of 19 yards with McFadden and Clark defending against white coming back right to the line of scrimmage but they're still not in a hurry up it's a no huddle but that allows Matt Ryan to look at the coverages and make the proper call from the forty first down Rodney white again with the catch at the 34 and the Steelers timed their rush perfectly there didn't they Jim yeah and they're doing all they can to put bring heat up the middle but Matt's doing it Matt Ryan's doing a nice job of getting rid of it the three inside linemen are doing a nice job of protecting second down and four white trying to drive for the first down and let's see where they spot the ball it'll be close to it you would never call a Mike Pereira like during a game what do I do thing like that you know what I actually did last year at Indianapolis I called Mike on his cell phone at halftime to complain about a call and he was astounded that I would do that but Mike is he is so good for the National Football League he brought so much stability to the officiating department he was so even keeled and as a coach on Mondays when you'd call him with complaints he was fantastic at explaining to you the procedures of the play Mike Smith certainly is in the joinin and they go to measure and it appears to be short and what did Mike Pereira say to you Jim when you called him and he answers his cell phone and it's a coach who's coaching a game right now they're short by that much he says what that what the heck are you doing at but I was so livid at what was going on on the field that I couldn't I said I gotta calm I'm gonna call Mike because I have a great relationship with Mike and have a lot of respect for him and I wanted to live but what was going on he had enough to do with Peyton Manning when she gets after everybody pretty good going boy I talked appointment he's playing but you could get him off the field so they was short by less than a yard it's got to be a third an inch of sneak I take sneak right here and on the jumbo here is the quarterback sneak by Matt Ryan and he appears to have an up the first down as we wind down to five and a half minutes remaining in the fourth it was so short they've had to push before where they got to look at the quarterback sneak in and I do believe the last time when they had third and short when they ran that flip play and Paulo Malo almost knocked the ball free in the backfield that stays with a play called hey Mike Mularkey say okay I don't take the ball away from the line of scrimmage no Casey handler no Casey Hampton in the middle he's out with a hamstring the nose tackle Chris Hope replaced him first down at the 29 his Matt Ryan against pressure and his pass is caught by Tony Gonzalez and Gonzalez out of bounds and a first down inside the 15 with Paul Amato and Clark a 15 yard gain and who else do you go to when you're down there but number 88 this is a guy that every year is going to be in the top five in catches in the fourth quarter the top five and catches on third and fourth down he's a go-to guy who makes big plays when you need him tenth play of the drive coming up first down Turner Turner's pushback will lose on the play Lawrence Timmons Curt Menefee has a game break take it away Curtis emotional day for the Lions in Chicago they lose quarterback Matthew Stafford Sean Hill comes in gets set inside the one and fumbled for the Lions defense stopped the Bears four straight plays Detroit holds on to the lead 1413 trying to get their first road win in 21 days Nick Toth and Jim are the Lions finally coming alive dolls I'll tell you what jim schwartz doing a great job then Donna can sue in that it's their time second down and 13 Falcons threatened on the 17 of Pittsburgh Brian he's got roddy white and white that about the 13 makes the reception picking up five yards now can the Steelers defense do what the Falcons defense did on the last Drive a long drive in position to threaten for a touchdown they held them to a field goal can they do the same thing now yes they can this defense is built for this situation right here third down and seven that crowd is into the Terrible Towels [Music] Roddy White with his 12th catch of the game short of the first down but gets to the 6 Roddy White who is approaching a hundred yards receiving in this game yeah Ryan that that's his guy right now if he can't find ins Oz it's white look at the strengths I love I love the fight there I love the competitiveness that Roddy White shows you early in his career he didn't have that now he does and they going to go for it Mike Smith will go for it here now by three one within one this says is much about as offenses as how he feels about his defense and the challenge flag thrown by Mike Tomlin here it's gonna be about the spot of the football because I bet he's challenging where rowdy White's knees were down with contact absolutely yes that it would be more than one yard way more well let's see what the ball is though now it's where the ball is when his knees down you can challenge a spot but it's a tough challenge it's a low-percentage challenge [Applause] now can you challenge a spot when it does not mean a first down see it has to right it has to have first down okay and here eekum here comes a field goal team clock to 10 seconds so here comes the field goal team meanwhile roddy white with 12 catches for a hundred and two yards picking up where he's left off the last three years has had a tremendous off season Mike Mularkey offense corner said the best offseason he's ever seen out of a receiver but I think this is the right move by Mike Smith it's had trouble running it inside you've got to take points in you can Bryant with a 23 are the temp looking to tie the game and the kicks good and another tie nein nein with 324 remaining in regulation we're tied at 9 324 to go in the fourth what's interesting here is the last two matchups between these teams both went into overtime back in oh six Falcons 141 238 in Atlanta but four years earlier it ended in a tie here at 34 all will see Cain and kicking off to the welding more deep in the end zone and the Steelers will take it out on the 20th so Dennis Dixon in a tie game going down the stretch those are his numbers throw one interception now it's not simply enough to not make a mistake right now he's got to make some plays and as long as that one doesn't turn to a two we'll probably be okay Eric Coleman who was shaken up we saw him on the Falcons sideline is back in the lineup at strong safety and Christopher Owens is in the game as well number 21 so the ailing Dedes are back first down at the 20 there is Rashard Mendenhall tough to bring down Mendenhall gets about seven and Owens brings him down in a field-goal battle the Steelers got the first one on the first drive of the game Matt Bryan tied it up on the last play of the half and it's been a a great defensive game here in simple second down and three we've had some offensive heroics including several from Hines Ward who makes the catch and a first down at the 40 yard line picking ups 12 more once again between the numbers well I just think it's easier for a thing rollerball and a guy that's moving towards him instead of away from him on the outside cuts his field of vision doesn't have to be as wide and that's where he's having his success in between the numbers specifically didn't in the hashes [Applause] grinding down to two minutes remaining in the fourth first down Dixon pleats the Heath Miller put down a meaningly by Sean Witherspoon after getting five yards and we will now wind down to the two-minute warning here nine-nine the score and a timeout before the two-minute warning called by the Steelers their first treating this like it's the last Drive of the game for them not even thinking about it right right over here Atlanta the last thing you can do is allow them to milk and down kick the field going the buzzer so defensively you're thinking about hey how do we aggressively make sure we can make it to get the football back no I like the timeout call there because he knows that he's gonna give us another clock stop here that's my case now he's got second down all right and he knows if you didn't get in here he's gonna get a clock stopped on third down I like he's trying to bracket the two minute here by as much time as he wants to move this ball methodically down the field with this quarterback he knows he's not going to get it in chunks the thumb Brian Van Gorder I'm thinking about how do i disrupt them because I've got out the ball back from my offense with some time second and five [Applause] there's Dixon in trouble and down he goes the last thing they wanted the big loss Curtis Lofton came in and finally got Dixon for a loss of five and now we're down to the two-minute warning with 157 on the clock all tied it will be back we're back the two-minute warning what about that last call Jim well I don't like it I don't like it at all it's second and five you just call the timeout all right before the two-minute run the football the clock is gonna stop at the two-minute with second down and five you've got a young quarterback trying to manage the game now you got a third and long but I don't like it but I've been Gordo loved it because he was bringing pressure on a run blitz you think certain until sack soft here third down and 14 on the 35 and a three-man front Falcons very nearly jumped offside they got back and Dixon will go down again Hori Biermann and a timeout boy Biermann on the sack and a timeout immediately called [Applause] three man pressure got to him well that's I'm just gonna go back to the second that second down call was a tragedy and look at Mike Smith getting the time Matt he's saying I think but Mike's upset because he said I was calling time up for a while and trainer he's kind of hairy yes if he's like his defensive backs he'll get back in the game but they had dropped everyone 20 yards off the ball all right within 20 yards off the ball so they had plenty of people to cover they were only rushed three no where to go with the ball Kroy Biermann gets to him on the sack and field position affected greatly Matt Ryan can't wait to get his hands on the football coy Biermann of course always coming off the bench is a great pass rusher getting a chance to start here two timeouts left for the Falcons two for the Steelers on defense but the Falcons more crucial now taking over the ball fourth down Sepulveda will punt and Erick weaves beautiful high kick by Sepulveda and with the fair catch the 20 and for a game break let's go out to Curt Menefee when the wing will let 31 to 7 of a Cincinnati at one point but said sit Vincent dives in from the yard out there keeping hope alive in Cincinnati it's now 38 24 less than four minutes left to go in regulation at least all right Thank You Kurt then the Bengals making a game out of it and we have a tie right here and so here's Matt Ryan with 145 to go in a tie game with a chance to stamp the greatness that people have anointed on him with this drive here if he can result in a few game-winning field goal or game-winning points Maddie ice is on his way until 2010 from the 21 maddie ice first pass with the interception [Applause] thirty [Applause] [Applause] that joy watch what comfortable he looks like he's going to play that half and he makes a play on the sidelines what a great play by a great player and Matt Ryan stares him down the whole way you can't do that to a football player like Troy Polamalu it's a Nordic great play missed 11 games last year with a sprained knee and did they miss him just look at those numbers [Applause] the approach review going to speak this bit did he get his feet down on the interception catch I see the drag with the right info drag we could have the tap tap catch war to Iraq certainly and you see have control that's the next issue got the football that won't that won't be a problem at all on this one this is going to stay steelers football great the skies by the Steelers defense they're showing a too deep shell and then buzzin underneath that out and we talked about Matt throwing me out Matt Ryan have a success on the out cut Troy just went and stole it from him so at this stage 1:40 to go you see the timeout situation now both have two but more importantly the ball is already at the 30-yard line the plus 30 how many times do you think the Steelers Pro the ball here they were they throwing the ball okay what a what a first half of a big kickoff weekend opening doubleheader on Fox coming up next it'll be the Packers against the Philadelphia Eagles Aaron Rodgers one of the young crates hopefully against him in ca'line the defender got both feet inbounds with possession to me that just demonstrates his greatness once again a big time players but that's observing all game long what route is Matt Ryan favored throwing the long out from one side of the field to the other Polamalu watching the whole game capitalized it their first down on the 30 in a field goal game a field goal may be all that needed to win it Rashard Mendenhall going outside and Linden Hall fights his way for a gain of about three and a half minute Hall has done a great job getting the tough yards out the first contact his demons of coach you talked about those leaky yards those yards after the first hit and he has done a tremendous job of sliding off of tackles and getting those extra yards and right now trying to fight the field field goal position those are critical critical yards and the timeout is called by the Falcons that is their second timeout and they have one remaining now there's Reed who has nine game-winning field goals let's go back to the last time these teams played here an 11 yard run by Michael Vick with 42 seconds left after a big fourth-quarter comeback and then in overtime both Todd Peterson and then jay Feely has a field goal attempts block and on the final play of the game tommy maddox connected with Plaxico Burress on a 50-yard Hail Mary fell one yard short it ended up a 34 34 time second down and seven Isaac Whitman the first back three gets close to the 20-yard line will be about a yard shy of the first down and the clock stopping at 1:28 and [Applause] Falcons call their third and final timeout this is the last three meetings look at all the points in those ties that went into overtime but today only a measly 18 and I remember this game I was I was at that game that was a shootout we were fortunate to win it at the end with a morten andersen field goal to go back to the intercept and thrown by ryan is it on ryan is it a great play made by pollo Malo how would you put it there here's what I said start with number one great defensive call by Dick LeBeau buzzient calling a defense it gets that gets the safety out underneath the out cut number two Troy Polamalu playing the cat-and-mouse game showing the to be and then buzzing out there and then just a great play I don't think Ryan anticipated him being there they're down in one [Applause] and here's weapon he won't get the first down and Curtis Lofton makes the play we want to welcome the viewers here to Pittsburgh dick Stockton's along with Charles Davis Jim Mora 9 9 the score it has been a sizzling defensive battle as we wind down to a minute and this was the big play that sets up what we have here big big big play by a big-time player who missed 11 games last year but comes back right here and shows his Worth and I know you talked about Dick LeBeau with the call me this was Troy Polamalu watching all game long observing the routes and observing the throws that Matt Ryan have been favoring we've been talking all game about Matt Ryan throwing that deep out from opposite field and burying it in there and Polamalu as you said cat-and-mouse Tim and capitalized and Troy is known to be a guy that studies film relentlessly he spends hours and hours in the film room and he found something and he took advantage of it so now Jeff Reid has come on and with 43 seconds to go of course the Falcons will get the ball back but Jeff Reid who has kicked three field goals in four tries will look to put the Steelers in front by three with 40 seconds 43 seconds remaining this will be a 40-yard attempt [Applause] Falcons have no timeouts left the Steelers have one [Applause] [Applause] [Music] this kick is no good off to the right and Matt Ryan breathes a sigh of relief [Applause] snap was fine he just you know he's been playing the wind well all day aiming it at that left goalpost and bringing it back into the right and that time he just didn't do it that's twice but that's twice on that end of the field guys cuz Matt Bryant the same thing happened to him where the ball spun off to the right in the first half and he missed a field goal now in this critical juncture it happens to Jeffrey so if you're Matt Ryan now in the Falcons no timeouts do you try and get it downfield or do you sit on and play four over till they're gonna try to get it down the field I think you got to go try to win it down at the 30 they then off to Jason Snelling that just said overtime well that did you know what you do is you run a drawn first down if you get a charge but my mini go in here though hot oh you go into your hurry up if they stop you then they do what you do just let the clock run out you go flip the coin again you go to overtime you take your chances where three or four times in a row for these two teams three straight games between the steelers and falcons going into overtime bo2 which ended in a tie of 3406 with the Falcons won by a field goal in Atlanta and now we go to overtime here as Jeff Reed misses a 40-yarder with a chance to do it and so we will have over time here on kickoff weekend in Pittsburgh as the fourth quarter runs out and we're all even at 9 [Applause] we will have the coin flip and then go to the breaks well if you love hard nosed down and dirty gritty grimy power defensive football which I do but you absolutely do then you love this football game and I'll tell you what here in Pittsburgh to Steel City this is the kind of game they love and don't forget all the talk in the offseason about overtime and the rules being changed it's different overtime rules for the regular season versus the playoffs still are in sudden-death here so it's not a matter of both teams getting a touch as they will in the playoff all right gentlemen we will play up to 15 minutes of overtime the first team to score will win you each have two timeouts all replay situations will be handled up in the booth Atlanta you're the visitor what's your call on the coin tails is a call it is tails you've won the toss and which end zone you want to kick that way all right Atlanta will receive in the same zone so the Atlanta Falcons will get the ball and here's why we're in overtime Jeffery missing a 40-yard field goal with 39 seconds left and saving Matt Ryan to live for another day after he threw that interception we'll be back with OT kick it off from the pen welcome back to Pittsburgh we are in overtime dick Stockton's along with Charles Davis Jim Mora Laura open down on the sideline big day for rowdy white with 12 catches for 102 yards Ryan Matt Ryan 243 yards with one interception we have not had a touchdown today will that decide this game doesn't have to know Derek Weems and Jeffrey gets the overtime under way please yard the half in the Enzo returning for the Falcons and he brings it out to the 24 yard line a flag goes down heavily marker thrown at the 20 Ryan Mundy made the play on Weems we're into return holding numbers pretty fourth the receiving team after this consider go first down OB Mihaly they're starting pull back trying to help out Eric Weems and he gets a nice piece so nice tackle the vamp Denis Madison advantage Pittsburgh defense with that penalty because of where Atlanta starts but I still like Matt Ryan getting his hands on the ball because of his short memory with a chance to win the gabe on this that was only the second penalty against the Falcons in the game disciplined well coached football teams 1st down at the 10 Michael Turner minimal game three yards we'll give him with two tight ends up front Steelers have dominated the Russian game with Rashard Mendenhall gaining 70 of those 93 yards on second and seven pass caught by rided roddy white going out of bounds and the first down for the falcons as they get it up to the 21 on a nine yard pickup I'll tell you what just I can't say enough about Matt Ryan and his confidence in himself and in roddy white throwing the ball to the outside that's not an easy throw it's a very very tough throw but he does it especially coming off of a off of an interception career-high 13 receptions [Music] they go to Turner and he goes down at the 24 after getting three so we come up with second and seven again a repeat of the first series of this drive I think this is another down that it goes back to Matt Ryan's arm I don't think they feel like they can grind it out getting three yards of crack and putting it automating it put it on them right here on second and seven short drop by Ryan looking for a receiver having trouble finding one and throws the ball out of bounds bringing a third and seven Lamar Woodley getting into Ryan's face we always talk about the heat that gets into Matt Ryan's face but the coverage allows the heat to get there everyone is covered up they snugged up the elbow bone how often you see a linebacker cover white out the way James Harrison just did down and seven era queens is in the game past going underneath to Jason selling and a flag goes down selling has a first down out to the 32 but a penalty marker and the Falcons are heading back toward their line of scrimmage holding [Applause] I have a left tackle Sam Baker nullifies at first now his second holding called the game James Harrison off the marks again right here he's got pretty good grab grasp up and doesn't it just too much speed there's too much speed when he can get off in the count because of the crowd it's just too much speed third and 17 Brian again off the hands of Jarius Norwood fourth down and the Steelers could be looking at good field position here Jairus Norwood takes his eyes off of this one but he has no chance of getting the first down on this check down anyway nobody's going to hurt you right I'm not saying that you know this is a great thing but to me it goes back to what the hold or the penalty on the kickoff that settled back deep that put them in a position there and now are absolutely right they had to start on the neck you're a genius haha it's great to have a genius in the booth I knew it wasn't me anyway Kanan will kick from the goal line and Antoine Randall L a short kick fair catched by Randall L who gets blocked out of the play he called for the fair catch and was knocked out by his own player it was Ryan Mundy so no penalty here no penalty in there fortunate that no no stealer ended up touching the football yeah being blocked into it see Mundy does the Bundy hits Randall L it's good job by the Falcons trying to create that but a good job by the steal is also not being there to touch the Dennis Dixon can in a position to win a game starting in midfield Jim well yeah and his defense helping him get them yes you're right and you know what I bet you he's feeling mighty confident right now and they can run the ball right here see if Brian Van Gorder mugs the line of scrimmage with his backers so they got eight up that's him mendenhall inside the 30 pizzas Pudd'nhead stars do in the game [Applause] when you crowd the line of scrimmage Jim if there's any type of a crease look at the block there by David Johnson and that leads him through review crowded with eight or nine and you get any type of a crease you can go a long way yeah and they just kept pounding it and countered it and pounding it and pounding it and they finally broke one and it's a game-winner 50 yard run by Rashard Mendenhall to win the game 15 to 9 and the Steelers have now won eight consecutive opening day games the longest current streak in the league Hines Ward who made some huge catches today and was the alter ego for Dennis Dixon but as Jim Mora and Charles Davis had said this was a situation where the defense said they had to win it for Dixon and they helped final score 15 to 9 for Charles Davis Jim Orr and Laurel wind dick Stockton saying so long stay tuned for the second game of our doubleheader it'll be the Packers and the Eagles and coming away right after these messages
