Heyward brothers enjoy emotional Steelers' victory in return to Atlanta

ATLANTA — The day began with a trip to their father’s gravesite.

It ended with Cameron and Connor Heyward honoring the man known as “Ironhead” by contributing to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 19-16 victory Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

In a day filled with emotions for one brother who was raised in the Atlanta suburbs and another who was born near here, rookie Connor Heyward caught his first touchdown pass, and older brother Cam had a sack in the city where Craig “Ironhead” Heyward spent three years of his NFL career.

In another fitting twist, the quarterback throwing the 17-yard TD pass to Connor Heyward was fellow rookie Kenny Pickett, who excelled at Pitt much like “Ironhead” Heyward did more than three decades earlier.

“It was special,” Pickett said. “Cam talked to the team before the game. I talked to Connor going out on the field and said we were going to get the win for his Pops. To get his first touchdown in this building is incredibly special. I don’t think it’s coincidence. Everything happens for a reason.”

Cameron Heyward was born in Pittsburgh but grew up in Georgia before heading to Ohio State in college. Connor Heyward was born in Duluth and, like his older brother, attended Peachtree Ridge High School before enrolling at Michigan State.

The homecoming brought out a segment of family and friends to the game. Before heading to the stadium Sunday, the Heyward brothers paid their respects at their father’s grave.

“We got to share a moment,” Cam Heyward said.

Another came when Pickett and younger brother Connor connected on the touchdown pass that gave the Steelers a 13-3 lead in the second quarter.

“I was pretty emotional when he got the touchdown,” Cameron Heyward said. “I don’t like to be Mr. Soppy, but that really hit me. Luckily there wasn’t a camera on me because I was a mess.”

Connor Heyward, who played sparingly on offense, couldn’t believe the pass was heading in his direction.

“When the ball was in the air, my heart kind of dropped,” he said. “ ‘It’s coming to me.’ I’m just glad I made the play.”

It was the only target Connor Heyward had the entire game. Big brother, on the other hand, had four tackles, a pass breakup and a sack on third down that forced the Falcons to settle for a 50-yard field goal in the first half.

“It’s stuff we’re supposed to do,” Connor Heyward said. “We’ve been doing it our whole life. We’re obviously happy for each other, but I expect him to have sacks, and I’m sure he expects me to catch the ball when it’s thrown to me.”

Call it a day

Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick already had scored one touchdown on an interception return this season. He didn’t see any reason expending extra energy to get a second.

Fitzpatrick sealed the win in the final seconds when he intercepted Marcus Mariota at the Falcons 20 and returned the ball to the 4. Fitzpatrick could have scored had he wanted, but he opted to run out of bounds.

The offense took the field, and Pickett kneeled in the victory formation to end the game.

“I didn’t want to go back out there again,” said Fitzpatrick, who has a team-high four interceptions this season. “We won the game, go home. I’m not trying to add to the stats, pad the stats, nothing like that. I’m glad with the win.”

Injury report

The only injury coach Mike Tomlin mentioned postgame was to outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who was questionable entering the game with a rib injury that kept him from practicing fully during the week.

Watt had three tackles but none for a loss. He didn’t have a quarterback hit or sack.

“My ribs are killing me, man,” Watt said. “Ribs are killing me.”

Watt exited for a few plays at one juncture as a concession to his injury.

“It’s one of the things that keeps re-aggravating,” he said. “I have to gut through it.”

Where’s George?

Rookie wide receiver George Pickens was targeted twice and finished with one reception for 2 yards.

Pickens showed his frustration in the second half on a pass to Diontae Johnson that initially was ruled a fumble but was overturned into an incompletion via instant replay. Pickens walked toward the sideline and emphatically indicated he wanted more passes thrown his way.

Johnson was targeted 11 times. Freiermuth was next with five. Pickens finished with as many targets as backup running back Jaylen Warren and slot receiver Steven Sims.

“He’s a competitor,” Pickett said. “Of course, we want to get the ball to George. We’ll continue to work that with Diontae, Pat and George. We have weapons everywhere. Sometimes, that’s the way it goes.”

Feels like home

Mercedes-Benz Stadium was little more than half filled for the matchup between teams with losing records. Steelers fans, however, occupied many of the seats, with fans bringing their Terrible Towels with them.

“Truthfully, if there weren’t Steelers fans here, there would be no one in the stands,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “It’s great seeing Steeler Nation. They always come out. Road games are always like home games for us.”