Atlanta offense vs. Pittsburgh defense

	FALCONS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	28
	Pass	12
	Tot. Yds.	21
	Scoring	30
	Int's allowed	6
	Sacks allowed	16
	STEELERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	10
	vs. Pass	2
	Total yds. allowed	2
	No. of INTs	7
	No. of Sacks	13
	Turnover differential	0

The Falcons have been crippled by the departure of WR Tony Martin, the injury to starting RB Jamal Anderson and the string of injuries to starting QB Chris Chandler. The once-feared Atlanta running attack ranks 27th in the NFL at 77 yards per game. Replacing RB Anderson was Byron Hanspard, who looked effective in limited duty, but couldn't carry the load when getting a lot of carries. Ken Oxendine stepped in and has shown that he is certainly a speed upgrade over Hanspard, but his durability is questionable -- fumbling three times in the last two games. One of these guys has to emerge as the premier back if the Falcons offense is to show improvement over the coming weeks.

At QB, Chandler's injury problem -- a perpetually pulled hamstring -- has kept Atlanta's passing game from developing any semblance of consistency. Back-up QB Tony Graziani has been ineffective most of the time, either holding on to the football for too long or forcing the ball into coverage.

The Falcons are 17-4 when Chandler plays, and 5-12 when he does not. So first and foremost, for the Falcons to win, Chandler needs to play the entire game. Therefore, the Atlanta offensive line must improve in pass protection, particularly LOT Bob Whitfield (who was pushed around by Rams RDE Grant Wistrom last week) and LOG Bob Hallen (who was twice penalized for holding). If the Falcons can give Chandler enough time and keep him from being flushed from the pocket, he can accurately and effectively deliver the football and maintain his health. The Falcons will look to get the ball out to their receivers quickly to protect Chandler, so look for a lot of slant routes and quick outs.

The Steeler defense has been a force for most of the season, particularly the team's front four. The play of DE Orpheus Roye and DE/NT Jeremy Staat has anchored the unit. Roye is an outstanding athlete whose speed and playmaking ability allow him to be a factor all over the field. Staat is an extremely strong guy, with good hands who is able to neutralize opposing linemen at the point of attack -- forcing opposing running backs out of their intended holes and into the arms of Pittsburgh defenders.

Opponents have been averaging only 15.5 points per game against the Steelers. The team's only glaring weakness has been against opponents whom excel at throwing the football, as starting corners Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott have been repeatedly victimized. Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Jim Haslett needs to find a happy medium in this week's defensive game plan -- not exposing Scott or Washington in single coverage against veteran WR Curtis Mathis, but putting enough pressure on Chandler to force him to scramble on a bad leg or to get the ball out quickly, lessening his effectiveness. The Steelers' front seven is capable of putting pressure on Chandler, and Scott and Washington should see backside help from the team's safeties. Pittsburgh's LB's will have to have a good day in pass coverage, as Atlanta rookie TE Reggie Kelly is emerging as a viable big-play threat.

Given the state of the team's air attack, a solid ground game will be crucial to its success. QB Kordell Stewart wasn't asked to do a lot in last week's victory over Cincinnati, but was effective at what he was asked to do. Stewart threw a lot of passes in the short-to-intermediate range, but wasn't required to throw the ball downfield. Stewart found rookie WR Troy Edwards four times for 58 yards, and it appears that the two are starting to find some chemistry together. Stewart will have to look downfield more against the Falcons, because Pittsburgh is going to have to stretch the field against a talented defense if the Steelers want to run the ball effectively.

The problems in Atlanta this season for the most part have not been on the defensive side of the ball. The inability of the team's offense to sustain drives means that the defense is often fatigued late in games, when opponents begin to find success running the football. The Falcons secondary was bolstered last week by the return of second-year corner Michael Booker, who was effective as the nickel corner. As a unit, the secondary was not burned for too many big plays -- a feat against the high-octane St. Louis offense.

The Falcons' defensive unit will have a much easier week against the Steelers, who do not have an effective vertical passing game. This should allow Atlanta defensive coordinator Rich Brooks to game plan an all-out assault on the Pittsburgh running game. The Steelers will be faced with a steady dose of eight-man fronts and Stewart will have to prove that he can be effective throwing the football against the Falcon secondary.

St. Louis RB Marshall Faulk ran all over the Falcons last week, who were undermanned at linebacker with both MLB Jesse Tuggle and ROLB Keith Brooking sidelined with injuries. Run-stopper Tuggle should play Monday, which will give the Falcons a much-needed boost against the run, but Brooking is sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee injury. Brooking's athleticism will be missed in pass coverage, but whoever replaces Brooking -- Henri Crockett or Ruffin Hamilton -- shouldn't have a difficult time against Pittsburgh TE Mark Bruener, who is used more as a third tackle than a receiver.