The Falcons had plenty of chances to kick off their 2010 season with a critical road win, but missed opportunities and a final defensive blunder in overtime led to a tough 15-9 loss at Pittsburgh.
Atlanta’s offense gained 295 yards—including 252 passing by Matt Ryan—only to settle for three field goals. Matt Bryant accounted for the team’s nine points, but he missed one from 46 yards out midway through the second quarter.
“We had some chances, we just couldn’t get it done,” lamented wide receiver Roddy White, who made a career-high 13 catches for 111 yards. “We knew when we had our chances to get in the red zone we had to score a touchdown. We wanted to get an opportunity to get in the endzone and we couldn’t cash in.”
After tying the game at 9-9 late in the fourth quarter, the Falcons got the ball back for a chance to win the game in the final minute. Instead, Ryan was picked off by Troy Polamalu and they needed a miss from Pittsburgh kicker Jeff Reed to stay alive and force overtime.
The Falcons won the coin toss and had the first chance in sudden death, but they punted after mustering just one first down. One play later, Rashard Mendenhall broke through a gaping hole in the line and scampered untouched for 50 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
“The small things really mattered in this game,” explained defensive end John Abraham.
“In all three phrases we didn’t do the things that are characteristic of what our football team is all about,” head coach Mike Smith said. “We’ll have to get back to Atlanta, watch this tape, and make the corrections.”
Atlanta will look to right the ship and break into the win column next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. This time the Falcons will have home-field advantage inside the Georgia Dome.
“We gotta have this one,” Abraham assured. “It’s in the Dome. It should be something to get us back on track.”
“Hopefully we’ll get out here next week at home and get a win,” added White. “Our home record is like 13-3 the last two years. We got to get off to a good start at home and get a win next week.”
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