With star running back Le’Veon Bell holding out in a contract dispute , the Steelers were expected to lean on their Ben Roethlisberger-to- Antonio Brown passing connection.
The Falcons (1-3) play the Steelers (1-2-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Heinz Field in a must-win early October matchup.
Brown, who has made than 100 catches in each of the past five seasons, is off to a slow start. Roethlisberger has targeted Brown 53 times, which is the second most targets in the league. Minnesota’s Adam Thielen has 56 targets. Atlanta’s Julio Jones has 46.
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But Brown has 29 catches (eighth in the league) and is averaging 9.4 yards per catch (a career low) and has 272 yards (34th in the league.)
Their rhythm is off according to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
“I don’t worry too much about their numbers particularly at this part of the year,” Tomlin said. “I know that people spend a lot of time working to minimize those guys and it creates opportunities for others.”
The Steelers leading receiver is JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has 31 catches for 416 yards.
“We are going to spread the ball around and take what defenses give us,” Tomlin said. “Over time, their numbers will be what they’ll be. They always are.”
Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel has to face the dynamic duo with a patched-up unit because of injuries. The secondary had three busted coverages against the Bengals that led to touchdowns and cornerback Desmond Trufant dropped a potential game-saving interception.
The Falcons respect Roethlisberger’s ability to keep plays alive.
“With Ben, no play is over,” Manuel said. “I’m telling them that from experience. Not from just coaching. He’s a big guy and when you get to him, you have to understand, he’s able to maneuver in the pocket.”
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