The Steelers’ first score in their preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons began, strangely, with a kickoff return.
Kickoff returns have been nearly irrelevant this preseason due to rule changes, but Antonio Brown nonetheless managed to run back the game-opening kickoff by Matt Bosher and get all the way to midfield. A horse-collar tackle by Bosher tacked on another 15 yards, and the Steelers started their first drive at the Atlanta 35.
Ben Roethlisberger reeled off two straight 17-yard passes to second tight end David Johnson, moving the Steelers to the one-yard-line, and Rashard Mendenhall punched it in from there.
The Steelers stopped the Falcons in their opening drive, but the Steelers’ second drive was curtailed by a holding penalty against Mendenhall and a sack of Roethlisberger by Jonathan Babineaux. The Falcons currently have the ball midway through the first quarter.
To follow the game along with Steelers fans, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.