Rock meet hard place.
Right between that is where the Steelers and Falcons both find themselves going into their meeting Sunday, 1:02 p.m., at Heinz Field.
At 1-2-1, the Steelers are off to yet another slow start, carrying on a recent trend that has seen them post a cumulative .500 record in the month of September since the start of the 2009 season. And with both losses and the tie all coming in AFC games, the margin for error is growing thinner each week.
Their latest loss, a 26-14 defeat last Sunday against the Ravens, also dropped the Steelers to 0-1-1 in AFC North games. A sense of urgency is growing.
“Guys had a chip on their shoulder and that’s what I like to see,” Marcus Gilbert said of the team's practices this week. “Guys were getting after it, finishing, making plays. A lot of running around out there, guys were really on top of their assignments.”
The Falcons, at 1-3, can relate. They've lost all three of their games either in overtime or in the closing moments. Despite the three losses, they have been outscored by just six points. The Steelers are minus-14 in scoring margin, with 12 of that coming last week.
Both of these teams could just as easily have three or four wins instead of still being in search of their second victory.
"It's two good teams in what should be a heck of a game," Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. "Our records don't reflect that right now, but as the season goes on and we're talking about this toward the end of the year, we'll say those are two good teams."
Well, half of that statement might be correct. The Steelers and Falcons both have good offenses, ranking sixth and seventh, respectively, in total offense.
Defensively, however, they're both at the bottom of the spectrum. The Steelers are 30th in total defense and 26th in scoring defense, allowing 29.5 points per game. Atlanta is 28th in total and 30th in scoring, giving up 30.5 points on average.
But at least Atlanta has an excuse. The Falcons have been playing without three defensive starters in the secondary and also will be without nose tackle Grady Jarrett this week. The Steelers have been without some defensive starers here and there -- and will be without safety Morgan Burnett and linebacker Vince Williams this week -- but haven't been hit nearly as hard as the Falcons.
This one figures to be another shootout. At least that's the case if the Steelers cooperate on offense.
Despite their offensive firepower, they have yet to not only score but get a first down on their opening possession of a game this season.
But in a game such as this in which the first team to 40 might win, the Steelers had better get that figured out if they plan on pulling out of their early doldrums.
"We don’t go in looking at it like that," said offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner of posting big scoring days. "We’re going to play. We’re going to be the best we can and try to outscore them. We’ve had a good preparation, so I’m excited about that."
They'll be more excited to win a home game. Both of the Steelers' losses have come at home. They haven't started 0-3 at home since 1986. They finished 6-10 that year.
"We just need to go out and win a game at home in front of our home fans," said Stephon Tuitt.
THE ESSENTIALS
• When: 1:02 p.m.
• Where: Heinz Field
• Radio: 102.5 WDVE, ESPN Pittsburgh
• Satellite: SiriusXM channel 232 (Internet 826)
• Forecast: 83 degrees, isolated thunderstorms
• Lots open: 9 a.m.
• Will call open: 11 a.m.
• Gates open: 11 a.m.
• Boxscore: NFL Game Center
• Odds: MyBookie.AG
THE INJURY REPORT
Steelers: S Morgan Burnett (groin, doubtful), LB Vince Williams (hamstring, doubtful), WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (ankle, doubtful)
Falcons: DB Justin Bethel (knee, out), DT Grady Jarrett (ankle, out), DL Derrick Shelby (groin, out)
THE KEY VARIABLE
The Steelers have faced a dangerous receiving group seemingly in each week they've played this season, including in the opener in Cleveland, when it was Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon and Rashard Higgins.
That might actually be the worst group they've faced, and Landry and Gordon have led the league in receptions and yardage at one point or another in their careers.
Since then, it's been top-rated group after top-rated group, with hot quarterbacks triggering the opposing offense, as well.
The Falcons could provide their toughest test to date.
In NFL yardage leader Julio Jones, receiving touchdown leader Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu, the Falcons present a stiff challenge, especially with former NFL MVP Matt Ryan playing at a high level.
Ryan is averaging 329 yards per game and already has 10 touchdown passes, two more than Ben Roethlisberger.
The Falcons also have a solid running game, even though No. 1 back Devonta Freeman has missed the past three games. He'll be back this week to factor into the equation with backup Tevin Coleman.
Even without Freeman the past three weeks, the Falcons are averaging 96 yards per game and have scored four rushing touchdowns.
But it's the receiving corps that has the Steelers' attention.
"It seems like we have played against the best quarterbacks in the league, and the best receivers in the league," said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. "(This is) another receiver triplet, you know, and it’s going to help us in the long run I think. Right now, shoot I wish we didn’t play against them but we are learning from it. I think we’ll get better as we go along. We still have some young guys we are playing. We’ve had some injuries that hurt us, but nobody cares about that. The only thing we care about is winning and we have to do a better job at coaching, we have to do a better job at playing."
The Steelers are allowing 305 yards passing per game. Only Tampa Bay has given up more than the 12 touchdown passes they have allowed.
Figuring out how to slow Atlanta's offense, which is putting up 29 points per game, won't be as easy as just having Joe Haden shadow Jones.
Jones has long been considered one of the best receivers in the NFL, along with Antonio Brown. But while Antonio Brown and Roethlisberger have struggled, at times, to connect this season, the Ryan-to-Jones connection is flourishing to the tune of 504 yards in the first four weeks.
The addition of Ridley, a first-round draft pick, has helped.
"He came into camp in the best shape," Quinn said of Jones. "He really had nothing that was bothering him from last season. In my four seasons, this is the best in camp and into the season that he's looked. Usually, the traditional thing to do was to put a safety over the top to that side. That's become a little more difficult with the emergence of (Ridley). That was definitely by design."
HISTORY LESSON
In 2010, with Roethlisberger serving a six-game suspension by the NFL — that would be reduced to four games — the Steelers decided to go with third-year pro Dennis Dixon in their regular season opener at Heinz Field against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dixon, who had attempted just 27 passes in his first two seasons, nearly matched that mark in that game as he went 17-of-26 for 236 yards and an interception in what would be a 15-9 overtime victory by the Steelers.
But this game was as much about the defense and running game as anything.
Knowing Ryan was going to focus on getting the ball to star receiver Roddy White, the Steelers focused their attack on slowing him and running back Michael Turner.
White finished the game with 13 receptions but they only went for 111 yards on an astounding 23 targets. That wound up being more than half of Ryan's 44 pass attempts in the game. He completed 27 and threw for 252 yards and was intercepted once.
Turner also was limited to 42 yards on 19 carries, as the Steelers controlled the game with their own running game.
While Hines Ward made the passing game go, producing six receptions for 108 yards, it was Rashard Mendenhall who was the game's offensive star.
Mendenhall, who would rush for 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns that season, kept the chains moving for the Steelers, gaining 120 yards on 22 carries despite playing against some stacked defensive fronts as the Falcons dared Dixon to throw the ball.
With the game tied at 9-9 following a Matt Bryant field goal with 3:28 remaining in regulation, the Falcons won the toss to start the overtime period.
But a holding penalty on the kickoff put the ball at the 9 and Atlanta managed just one first down before punting the ball to the Steelers.
Mendenhall had 71 yards on 21 carries in regulation as the Falcons stacked the line of scrimmage to try to force Dixon to throw. But on the Steelers' first play from scrimmage in OT, Mendenhall did this:
THE MAIN MATCHUP
Roethlisberger leads the NFL in passing yardage and is on pace to for 5,656 this season. The NFL record is held by Peyton Manning, who had 5,477 passing yards for Denver in 2013.
Roethlisberger is one of four quarterbacks this season who are on pace to break Manning's record. The ball is getting thrown around more than ever in today's NFL.
Yet if you ask the Steelers what they need to do for their offense to be more efficient, the answer is simple.
"We've got to get our running game going," guard Ramon Foster said.
After rushing for just 19 yards as a team last week in the loss to the Ravens, the Steelers have now gained 130 total yards on the ground in their past three games. They had 159 yards in their regular season opener at Cleveland.
The lack of a running game has dropped them to 27th in the NFL in that statistic, averaging 72.3 yards per game. That's putting more pressure than ever on Roethlisberger to move the offense.
The Steelers not only need to run the ball better, they need to run it more. After getting it 31 times against the Browns, James Conner has 32 carries since.
"Some of it, we need more reps at it," said Mike Tomlin. "How do you get more reps at it? You win possession downs. You maintain possession of the ball. We didn’t do that in the last game. Or to stay in ball games, like in Kansas City we were behind, you somewhat get one dimensional. So, there are several reasons why the number, the raw number, is where it is, a lot of it is how games have unfolded at this point. We have to be better there.
"We will find our rhythm in the run game."
Atlanta could be a good team against which to get Conner rolling again. The Falcons are 26th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 119 yards per game and will be without Jarrett, their best run stuffer. The Falcons also have given up an NFL-worst 42 receptions to opposing running backs.
Despite his struggles running the ball, Conner has continued to be a factor in the passing game, catching 18 passes.
The Steelers feel good about their matchup in that area.
"James doesn’t require anything different per se," said Fichtner. "I probably just need to do a better job heating him up. It’s just like quarterbacks, too. You get into a rhythm, and all good running backs, they need that rhythm, too."
THE QUOTES
• "Big Ben, he's one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but he hasn't seen Takk McKinley and that's just me being honest. Great quarterback, respect him, but he hasn't seen me." -- Takkarist McKinley, Atlanta defensive end
• "When are they ever going to be fair to the defense? That is not happening, so we have to adjust. They put the tight end in there at guard and backed him off the line of scrimmage and said he was eligible and all that stuff. I did not know who was eligible or not because it was not reported to me on that. So is it legal? It was legal what they did, yes. But there’s a rule in the league that was when I played a long time ago: It said if you attempted to deceive, they can call a penalty on you. I’m sitting there thinking, when I played a long time, our people always tried to deceive so I don’t see that as a bible rule, so they got it on us. We learned from it and we’ll move on." -- Butler on the Ravens lining up a tight end at guard last week and then sending him on a pass pattern
• "Spectacular career. His numbers speak for themselves with what he’s been able to do. Just a really good football player, but even better guy." -- Roethlisberger on Ryan
THE TEN DATA POINTS
• Roethlisberger needs five touchdown passes to match Fran Tarkenton (342) on the all-time touchdown passes list.
• The Steelers have converted both of their two-point conversion attempts this season and are now 25-of-39 (64.1 percent) going for two in Tomlin's tenure.
• Brown needs one TD catch to match John Stallworth (63) for third-most in Steelers' history.
• In two career games against the Falcons, Roethlisberger has averaged 299 yards and three touchdown passes with no interceptions for a passer rating of 126.2.
• Outside linebacker Bud Dupree is looking for a sack in his third consecutive game for the Steelers.
• Vance McDonald had five catches for 62 yards last week and now has at least four receptions and 50 receiving yards in five of the past six games in which he's played with Roethlisberger.
• Atlanta has allowed a league-high 42 receptions to opposing running backs on 55 targets.
• Opposing teams have targeted their tight ends 27.1 percent of the time against the Steelers, the highest rate in the league. As a result, the Steelers have allowed a league-high 30 receptions on 42 targets to the position through four weeks.
• Atlanta rookie Calvin Ridley has six receiving touchdowns tying the Steelers' Martavis Bryant in 2014 and Bucky Pope in 1964 for the most in league history in their first four games.
• The Falcons rank tied for last in rate of allowing opposing possessions to score (50 percent) and 31st in rate of drives allowing a touchdown (35.7 percent).
THE FANTASY FREE PLAY
Because you should basically have every skill position player in this game in your lineup if you own them, we're going to do things a little differently this week and rank the top 10 in order of importance and what I think they'll produce.
- Antonio Brown, 9 catches, 116 yards, 1 touchdown
- Ben Roethlisberger, 341 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Julio Jones, 7 catches, 107 yards, no touchdowns
- Matt Ryan, 307 yards, three touchdowns, 1 interception, 10 rushing yards
- James Conner, 17 carries, 75 yards, 1 touchdown, 5 catches, 32 yards
- Devonta Freeman, 15 carries, 67 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 catches, 28 yards
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, 7 catches, 85 yards, 1 touchdown
- Calvin Ridley, 3 catches, 61 yards, 1 touchdown
- Tevin Coleman, 10 carries, 46 yards, two catches, 23 yards
- Vance McDonald, 5 catches, 56 yards
THE STAFF PICKS
Our football coverage team offers predictions:
Dale Lolley: These two teams are almost identical in the offensive and defensive rankings and have had some bad luck thus far. The biggest difference between the two? The Steelers have turned the ball over nine times. The Falcons have just twice. That could be a deciding factor in this game as these two teams are evenly matched. I just don't trust the Steelers to take care of the football as much as I do the Falcons, so we'll go with the visitors to win a close one. That would mean the Steelers start the season 0-3 at home, something that hasn't happened since 1986, when I was a senior in high school. That's the only thing that makes this tricky. That's tough to envision, as well. The Falcons have lost three one-score games. They win one here. Falcons, 34-31
Chris Bradford: The Steelers are 1-2-1 and the Falcons are 1-3. Something's got to give, right? I keep searching for legitimate reasons why the Steelers will win this game. A matchup against Julio Jones, the only other receiver who can claim the title as the NFL's best receiver, should wake Antonio Brown up from his season-long slump. Maybe. The Falcons are a dome team as Matt Ryan has a 137.9 passer rating at home and 57.4 on the road. True, but that's a small sample size. Without Vince Williams and with an offense that is one-dimensional, I can't come up with any reason why the Steelers will win. They won’t. Falcons, 35-27
Christopher Carter: The Steelers are in a rough spot, but the Falcons are even more cornered. The Steelers' defensive problems at least have the hope of being fixed through growth with their starters, but the entire middle of the Falcons' defense was decimated with injuries, as Deion Jones, Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal all hit injured reserve. Expect Roethlisberger to take advantage with passes to Conner, James and McDonald over the middle to find mismatches. The Steelers will have their hands full with a healthy offense that has capable weapons at every position. Fortunately, they face Ryan as he tries to find himself outside a dome and on the road. It will help them get over the top, but only barely. Steelers, 38-35.
Matt Sunday: Ridley is a serious game changer and I'm not quite sure how the Steelers are going to deal with him. Haden has been fantastic on a defense that really hasn't, but he'll have to use his talents to take care of Jones and try to limit what one of the league's best can do. The Steelers defense has been beaten both physically and emotionally and, beyond what even the injury report already states, there is a physical toll that has been taken already in this young season. I do believe that Roethlisberger can get the short stuff going, and at some point he's going to connect regularly with his own mega-star receiver, but I just can't see the home team keeping the score low enough to win. Falcons, 34-27.
Dejan Kovacevic: Funny thing about the Steelers in recent years. It's right when they'll run into a circumstance where they'll appear least likely to prevail that they rise up. That's kind of how Tampa felt from this perspective. The Buccaneers' sizzling offense was lining up across from the NFL's coldest defense. Roethlisberger was going on the road, where he'd struggled. The running game had been all but dismantled. And yet, they came through. Sorry to go all intangible here. I get that Ryan, Julio and company could very well ravage this mess of a defense and render it all moot. Just sharing. Steelers, 27-24