T.J. Watt’s Pick-Six Helps Steelers Beat Falcons 20–13 in McCarthy’s Debut
T.J. Watt turned an interception into a 35-yard touchdown as the Steelers defeated Atlanta 20–13 on Sunday, giving Mike McCarthy a win in his first regular-season game as Pittsburgh’s head coach. The defensive score came early in the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium and gave the Steelers a 20–10 lead.
Pittsburgh’s official recap identifies it as Watt’s first career interception return for a touchdown. He and Alex Highsmith each recorded two sacks, while Jaquan Brisker intercepted another Cooper Rush pass. Payton Wilson added 12 tackles, including two for a loss. The defense gave an uneven offensive afternoon enough support to finish with a victory.
Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown. His six-yard scoring pass to Pat Freiermuth followed Brisker’s interception, which supplied Pittsburgh with a short field. Michael Pittman Jr. led the Steelers with 58 receiving yards, and Freiermuth caught five passes for 46 yards.
Atlanta’s game breakdown shows how its own mistakes narrowed the path to an upset. The Falcons committed seven first-half penalties and did not score on any first-half possession that included a penalty against them. Nick Folk missed his first two field-goal attempts. A promising punt return was also reduced by a holding call before the Brisker interception shifted possession.
Bijan Robinson remained Atlanta’s most effective answer. He scored on a 23-yard reception and repeatedly gave the offense a useful outlet. Rush started after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out with an oblique injury; Atlanta had not established Tagovailoa’s or Michael Penix Jr.’s Week 2 availability in its initial postgame report. The Falcons next host Carolina on September 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern.
For Ravens followers tracking the division, Pittsburgh’s win belongs alongside Baltimore’s opening result in PowerPage Sports. The Steelers did not need an explosive offensive total to get started. They needed a short-field touchdown, pressure on the quarterback and Watt’s decisive return—a combination that made Atlanta’s mistakes costly.
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