Defense silences critics in win over Falcons

While Dennis Dixon was short arming receivers and Jeff Reed was missing kicks, there was one element of Sunday’s win that cannot be argued. The Steelers defense is back.

The defense, which took so many tongue lashings last year by the fans and media, was on display Sunday in holding the Falcons to just three field goals in the teams 15-9 overtime win.

The addition of safety Troy Polamalu back to the lineup, along with players stepping up and playing at a high level like Lawrence Timmons and of course James Harrison all combined for a great effort against a team that is expected to make a run at the playoffs in the NFC.

The Falcons have a Pro Bowl running back in Michael Turner, who was held to just 42 yards, and a Pro Bowl wide out in Roddy White, who despite 111 yards never had a big play against the Steelers corners or safeties.

The defense would have gotten even more credit if Reed would have hit a 40-yard field goal to win the game 12-9 in the final minute. The attempt was all due to a great read by Polamalu, who read the eyes of Falcons 3rd year QB Matt Ryan along the sidelines as he looked for White.

So kudos to Dick LeBeau and the D for a great effort and great intensity in game one. They could have worn down and made mistakes in the final Falcons drive and OT, but that was last year.

Now after a day of celebrating, the team has to do it again, and this time on the road against a Titans team that scored 38 points against the Raiders Sunday.