The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-0 in the Mike McCarthy era after a victorious homecoming against Atlanta on Sunday.
In front of McCarthy’s family and friends coaching the team he grew up watching and cheering for, the veteran head coach delivered a 20-13 win in the season opener. But it wasn’t the prettiest of offensive performances for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh totaled 264 yards of offense and only 58 on the ground. Atlanta gained more first downs (16-15) and the Steelers as a unit committed seven penalties
for 52 yards. McCarthy described the rhythm on offense as “herky jerky” and took responsibility for not having the Steelers fully ready to play.
“I would say it’s what I expected it (to be),” McCarthy said in his weekly press conference on Monday. “At the end of the day, you have a chance to perform. It’s what I expect as far as having everybody healthy. It was good. I thought the week of training going into it was a little herky jerky. I think that carried over in some parts of the game.”
Aaron Rodgers targeted DK Metcalf 10 times but only connected four times, partially due to two plays that could have been called pass interference and a few drops by Metcalf. McCarthy even called himself out for his playcalling decisions.
“I thought the play-caller on offense was herky jerky,” McCarthy said. “I didn’t think I did a great job getting the players into a rhythm at certain parts of the game. I thought we had some very good sequences where it looked like we were going to take off.”
The Steelers finished 3-13 on third down, missed a field goal, and had a botched 62-yard field goal attempt in an overall sloppy performance by the offense and special teams. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith each recorded two sacks and Watt’s pick-six in the fourth quarter put the game away.
“In my experience in the league, it’s unfortunately the way it goes in September,” McCarthy said. “Teams come out of training camp a little differently.”
It was the first time Rodgers, Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Pat Freiermuth, and others were on the field together in a meaningful game with McCarthy calling the plays. The team faces the New England Patriots in week two, looking to go 2-0 and establish a new era of the Steelers offense.
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