Though the exact numbers aren’t known just yet, there were multiple tight ends on the field for seemingly 90-plus percent of the offensive snaps the Steelers ran. And we also saw a lot of 13 personnel with three tight ends and a couple of plays with 14 personnel out there, meaning all four tight ends were on the field.
The Steelers went to that 14 package in the first half and caught the Falcons completely off guard, splitting all four tight ends wide along with the running back. Atlanta called a time out.
They went back to that look in the fourth quarter and Fields scrambled up the middle for a 5-yard gain on third down.
But the Steelers also can throw out of that package, which forces the defense to get bigger – and presumably slower.
“Absolutely,” said Pat Freiermuth, one of those tight ends.
Freiermuth, who had four receptions for 27 yards on a conservative day for the Steelers throwing the ball, loves what the Steelers can do with their tight end mismatches.
“They had no idea what to do,” Freiermuth said of the 14 personnel package. “That’s one of Art’s strong suits, being able to get personnel into situations and confuse the defense. I think we were able to do that.”
• Fields played well within the game plan and didn’t make any big mistakes.
The first snap of the game under center was mishandled – something that was an issue in the preseason – but he was able to jump on the loose ball.
He also bobbled another snap earlier in the game, which might have led to some of the conservative play calling.
They also avoided going at the strength of Atlanta’s defense, which is safeties Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons.
“We definitely got off to a slow start,” said Fields. “The first play, and then I missed the throw to Van (Jefferson). But after the first drive, I feel like we settled in a little bit and especially as the game went along definitely settled in.