T.J. Watt's pick-six powers Steelers to 20-13 victory over Falcons

It wasn’t the prettiest victory, but the Steelers have started the Mike McCarthy era with a victory.

Pittsburgh bested Atlanta 20-13 with some solid defense — including a game-changing play by T.J. Watt.

Early in the fourth quarter, Watt picked off a pass behind the line of scrimmage and returned it for a 35-yard touchdown to put Pittsburgh up 20-10.

It was Watt’s 10th career interception but his first pick-six.

While Nick Folk hit a 43-yard field goal to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to seven, the Falcons could not get any more points. Darnell Washington helped bring the game to a close with a nasty stiff-arm on a 15-yard reception on third-and-3 late in the fourth quarter. With Atlanta out of timeouts, Jaylen Warren put it away with a 9-yard run to bring the clock to the two-minute warning.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished 24-of-40 for 221 yards with a touchdown. Pittsburgh was just 3-of-13 on third down but had 264 yards.

It wasn’t a banner day for Atlanta’s offense either, with Cooper Rush finishing 12-of-22 for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Bijan Robinson was the major power for the offense, taking 21 carries for 83 yards and catching eight passes for 90 yards with a touchdown.

At 1-0, the Steelers will be on the road to face the Patriots next week.

The 0-1 Falcons will be at home to play the division-rival Panthers.