ATLANTA (9-7) At PITTSBURGH (9-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
OPENING LINE – Even
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Atlanta 11-5; Pittsburgh 5-10-1
SERIES RECORD – Steelers lead 11-2-1
LAST MEETING – Falcons beat Steelers, 41-38 (OT), Oct. 22, 2006
FALCONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (16), RUSH (15), PASS (14)
FALCONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (10), PASS (28)
STEELERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (19), PASS (9)
STEELERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (3), PASS (16)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Teams haven’t played in Pittsburgh since 34-all tie in 2002. There’s been only one NFL tie since (Eagles 13, Bengals 13 in 2008). … Falcons coach Mike Smith is 2-0 in openers; Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is 3-0. … Falcons coming off first consecutive winning seasons in franchise history. … Falcons QB Matt Ryan has thrown for 6,356 yards in first two NFL seasons. … Falcons RB Michael Turner ran for 220 yards in 2008 opener vs. Detroit, a franchise record. Turner has 27 rushing TDs since ’08, tied for second most in league. … Falcons are 13-1 when Turner carries 22 or more times. … Falcons’ Tony Gonzalez needs one catch to become the first NFL tight end with 1,000 career receptions. … With Ben Roethlisberger beginning four-game suspension, third-year Steelers QB Dennis Dixon makes second career start. He started 20-17 OT loss in Baltimore on Nov. 29, going 12 of 26 for 145 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He also ran 24 yards for a TD. … Steelers have won seven consecutive openers, the NFL’s longest current streak. They have won their last seven home openers. … Steelers’ Hines Ward needs five catches to become 12th NFL player with 900 receptions. Ward had 139 yards and 171 yards in last two games against Atlanta. … Steelers own NFL’s best home record since the 1970 merger (222-85-1, .722) and are tied with Miami for the best overall record (372-242-2). Steelers were 6-2 at Heinz Field last season, losing to Bengals and Raiders. … Pittsburgh has won 20 of its past 24 regular season games vs. the NFC. … C Maurkice Pouncey will become only the second rookie OL to start an opener in Steelers history, according to team records. Marvel Smith started at RT in 2000.
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