Kenny Pickett, Steelers cap perfect preseason by routing Falcons

ATLANTA — It was another perfect start for the first-team offense and quarterback Kenny Pickett, who capped his preseason with a perfect passer rating.

Pickett engineered two more touchdown drives in the two series he played, and the Pittsburgh Steelers showcased their big-play offensive capabilities once again in a 24-0 victory against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Steelers capped the preseason with a 3-0 record. They have a 16-day break until they face the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener at Acrisure Stadium.

“It’s proof that all the work we put in paid off, and we had a good preseason,” Pickett said. “Now it counts, and we have to get our attention to San Fran and get into some game prep stuff.”

With the Falcons resting their starters, Pickett made it look easy for the third preseason game in a row. On the opening drive, he had a 33-yard completion to Diontae Johnson that was one-upped by George Pickens, who nearly scored on a 35-yard grab along the sideline.

Najee Harris capped that drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Jaylen Warren finished off the second drive by scoring on an 8-yard run.

Pickett completed all four of his attempts for 86 yards. He finished the preseason with 13 completions in 15 attempts for 199 yards and two touchdowns for a 158.3 passer rating. He led the Steelers to touchdowns on all five possessions he played in games against Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Atlanta.

“He’s the man,” guard Isaac Seumalo said. “We have all the confidence in the world in him.”

The Steelers began the game with the ball at their 8. Pickett faced an early test on third-and-5 from the 13. He got the first down — and more — when he found Johnson in single coverage down the left side, the completion putting the ball at the 46. Warren gained 6 yards and Harris 12 before Pickens made another spectacular catch along the right sideline.

Pickens leaped high for the ball and stretched the ball for the pylon as he made sure to land in bounds. The ball was marked at the 1, and Harris scored on the next play to cap the 92-yard drive.

“Seeing those guys one-on-one, you always give them a chance,” Pickett said. “They are both great players and talented guys. I wanted to do my part and put the ball out there and let them do the rest.”

A 21-yard punt return by Calvin Austin helped the Steelers start the next drive at the Falcons 29. A Pickett screen to Harris gained 16 yards. Harris gained 5 yards on a run, and Warren used a strong second effort to finish off his 8-yard TD run.

Harris had five touches — he gained 18 yards on four runs — before exiting. Warren had 14 yards on two attempts.

The Steelers’ backups even had their way with the Falcons in the opening quarter.

Anthony McFarland broke off a 31-yard run that set up a 38-yard Chris Boswell field goal.

McFarland, vying to earn a roster spot as the No. 3 running back, scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter to make it 24-0. He finished with 55 yards on 10 carries.

What composed the first-team defense also was perfect in the preseason by not allowing a point in any of the three games. Cameron Heyward didn’t dress, T.J. Watt started and chipped in a sack before departing and Minkah Fitzpatrick played two series before taking a seat.

Patrick Peterson, however, played into the second quarter before giving way to rookie corner Joey Porter Jr. Inside linebacker Cole Holcomb played most of the first half.

Rookie outside linebacker Nick Herbig had a sack for the third consecutive game. Inside linebacker Mark Robinson forced a fumble in the third quarter that Kenny Robinson recovered at the Steelers 8 to preserve the shutout bid.

The Steelers finished with five sacks and two forced fumbles.

“We’re a gritty team,” said Peterson, the All-Pro corner who is in his first season with the Steelers. “I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers history has always been bully ball, and I feel like we’re getting that identity back, especially throughout this preseason.”