Here are five things to know before today’s Falcons (1-3) at Steelers (1-2-1) kickoff at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field.
The field, which has been re-sodded once this season, hosted the Syracuse at Pittsburgh game in the rain on Saturday.
1. Julio Jones vs. Antonio Brown. Two the NFL's premier wide receivers will be on display.
Brown has caught more than 100 passes in each of his past five season. Jones has caught more than 82 in each of his past four season.
Both are perennial Pro Bowlers.
“For me going into this game, I haven’t watched film on A.B.,” Jones said. “We are not going to be on the field at the same time. We are not guarding each other.
“My job is go out there and be the best teammate that I can be. Go out there and take advantage of my opportunities. Whatever happens, happens.
“I’m not going to go out here and go ‘hey I need to get the ball’ because Antonio Brown is on the other side. I’m not going to do that. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win the game.”
2. Freeman back. The Falcons will welcome back running back Devonta Freeman, who's missed the past three game with a knee injury.
3. Series history: This will be the Falcons' 17th regular-season meeting with the Steelers, who lead the series 13-2-1. The Falcons are 0-6-1 in Pittsburgh. Here's the analysis of this game.
4. Where to watch, listen: Here's the broadcast information for Sunday's game which is being televised by Fox Sports with Chris Myer handling the play-by-play, Daryl Johnston the commentating and Laura Okmin as the side line reporter.
5. Penalty alert. The Steelers have committed 50 penalties, eight have been declined. The total of 42 penalties leads the NFL.
The Falcons are the seventh most penalized team in the NFL. The Falcons have committed 38 penalties, but six have been declined.
In addition to Pittsburgh, only Philadelphia (35), Jacksonville (35), Indianapolis (34), Houston (34) and Kansas City (34) have had more accepted penalties than the Falcons.
The Steelers have had 10 pre-snap penalties and the Falcons have committed eight pre-snap penalties. The Steelers have three too many defensive men on the field penalties, which just points dis-organization on the coaching staff.
“I believe it was at least four or five of those were pre-snap,” Quinn said of the Falcons’s 10 penalties against the Bengals. “Number one, those are things you can control with your focus and your discipline.”
About the Author
