Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2006 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-10-22, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 41–38 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +8.16 total EPA, and +0.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-31.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (:17) PENALTY on PIT-85-N.Washington, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 33 - No Play.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +19.45 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +17.20 total EPA · 8 snaps · +2.15 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +14.76 total EPA · 6 snaps · +2.46 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Batch · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +13.31 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
5. 5 N. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +9.48 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.16 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +8.45 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Vick · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +8.16 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wilson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.90 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q1 58:19)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 47:25)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 40:02)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q2 34:51)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Jenkins (M. Vick pass) (Q2 32:09)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — N. Washington (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 31:02)
• Atlanta Falcons — W. Dunn (Q3 21:02)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (C. Batch pass) (Q3 19:23)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q3 16:18)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (C. Batch pass) (Q4 3:24)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q1 53:51)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (Q4 6:28)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (OT 8:08)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 22 (Q1 58:19) — (13:19) 7-M.Vick pass deep left to 83-A.Crumpler for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 58:12) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the ATL 10 (Q1 53:51) — (8:51) 3-J.Reed 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q1 47:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 86-H.Ward for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 47:22) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 40:02) — (10:02) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 39:56) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q2 34:51) — (4:51) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass short right to 83-A.Crumpler for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 34:46) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 17 (Q2 32:09); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 32:04) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 10 (Q2 31:02); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:58) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q3 21:02) — (6:02) 28-W.Dunn up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by PIT and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by PIT at 05:44.); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 20:44) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 70 (Q3 19:23) — (4:23) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 86-H.Ward for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 19:11) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 31 (Q3 16:18) — (1:18) 7-M.Vick pass deep middle to 83-A.Crumpler for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 16:10) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PIT 7 (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) 5-M.Andersen 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 17 (Q4 3:24) — (3:24) 16-C.Batch pass deep middle to 86-H.Ward for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 3:19) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Overtime: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PIT 14 (OT 8:08) — (8:08) 5-M.Andersen 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:17) — (:17) PENALTY on PIT-85-N.Washington, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 33 - No Play. [WPA -31.8% · EPA -1.82]
• Atlanta Falcons (OT 11:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 83-A.Crumpler to PIT 29 for 26 yards (25-R.Clark). [WPA +29.8% · EPA +2.84]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 19:23) — (4:23) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 86-H.Ward for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.2% · EPA +6.80]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:25) — (:25) (Shotgun) 16-C.Batch pass deep left to 86-H.Ward to ATL 33 for 25 yards (27-J.Webster). [WPA +21.6% · EPA +1.33]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:30) — (:30) 5-M.Andersen 52 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub. [WPA -20.8% · EPA -2.27]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 19:23) — (4:23) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 86-H.Ward for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.2% · EPA +6.80]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:31) — (13:31) 9-M.Koenen punts 56 yards to PIT 21, Center-47-B.Stutz. 10-S.Holmes to PIT 21 for no gain (26-O.Lowe). FUMBLES (26-O.Lowe), RECOVERED by ATL-81-A.Jennings at PIT 22. [WPA +20.6% · EPA +6.36]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 22:35) — (7:35) 39-W.Parker up the middle to PIT 27 for -9 yards (95-J.Babineaux). FUMBLES (95-J.Babineaux), RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at PIT 26. [WPA -19.7% · EPA -5.85]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 37:39) — (7:39) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 23, RECOVERED by ATL-59-M.Boley at PIT 25. [WPA -14.2% · EPA -5.19]

Quarterback report card

M.Vick led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.1% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +8.16 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 25 dropbacks · 64.0% completion · +18.1% CPOE · +0.78 EPA/play · +19.45 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Pittsburgh Steelers +0.17, Atlanta Falcons +0.13) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 15 drives, +12.37 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, +14.44 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 58:19 · PIT 22 · Score 0-6
   (13:19) 7-M.Vick pass deep left to 83-A.Crumpler for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 58:12 · PIT 2 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 53:51 · ATL 10 · Score 3-7
   (8:51) 3-J.Reed 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 47:25 · ATL 11 · Score 9-7
   (2:25) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 86-H.Ward for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 47:22 · ATL 2 · Score 10-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 40:02 · ATL 1 · Score 16-7
   (10:02) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 39:56 · ATL 2 · Score 17-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:51 · PIT 3 · Score 17-13
   (4:51) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass short right to 83-A.Crumpler for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:46 · PIT 2 · Score 17-14
   5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
10. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 32:09 · PIT 17 · Score 17-20
    (2:09) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
11. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 32:04 · PIT 2 · Score 17-21
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:02 · ATL 10 · Score 23-21
    (1:02) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 85-N.Washington for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-85-N.Washington, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 ya
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:58 · ATL 2 · Score 24-21
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
14. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 21:02 · PIT 1 · Score 24-27
    (6:02) 28-W.Dunn up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by PIT and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by PIT at 05:44.)
15. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 20:44 · PIT 2 · Score 24-28
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 19:23 · ATL 70 · Score 30-28
    (4:23) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 86-H.Ward for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 19:11 · ATL 2 · Score 31-28
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
18. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 16:18 · PIT 31 · Score 31-34
    (1:18) 7-M.Vick pass deep middle to 83-A.Crumpler for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 16:10 · PIT 2 · Score 31-35
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
20. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 6:28 · PIT 7 · Score 31-38
    (6:28) 5-M.Andersen 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:24 · ATL 17 · Score 37-38
    (3:24) 16-C.Batch pass deep middle to 86-H.Ward for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:19 · ATL 2 · Score 38-38
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
23. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — OT 8:08 · PIT 14 · Score 38-41
    (8:08) 5-M.Andersen 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.