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Pittsburgh Steelers: Five players who stood out against the Atlanta Falcons

By Chris Halicke

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball in the first quarter during the game Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball in the first quarter during the game Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons fumbles the ball as he is hit by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons fumbles the ball as he is hit by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

T.J. Watt

As we mentioned earlier, the defense’s performance was a pleasant surprise. If the Steelers’ defense was to have any success against one of the most talented offenses in the league, it was going to have to start with a successful pass rush. Like the offense’s success started with Conner, the defense’s success started with T.J. Watt.

Watt was all over the field, totaling eight tackles, a pass defended, and most importantly, three sacks. One of those sacks ended up being a strip sack that led to the Steelers’ defensive touchdown.

Watt had seemed to struggle getting any pressure in the previous three games, but he was a force on Sunday and was no match for the Atlanta pass protection. He has become the Steelers’ best pass rusher and it seems that the success of the Steelers’ pass rush starts and ends with Watt.

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