Rashard Mendenhall rumbled 50 yards for a touchdown just 2:35 into overtime to propel the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
 
Mendenhall ran for 120 yards on 22 carries to help take some of the pressure off quarterback Dennis Dixon, who started in place of the suspended Ben Roethlisberger.
 
Pittsburgh (1-0) won its eighth straight season opener, the longest streak in the league.
 
Per the new rule change this season, each team will receive a possession unless the opening drive results in a touchdown.
 
Atlanta (0-1) won the toss and chose to receive, but was quickly forced to punt.

Mendenhall ended the game on the Steelers’ first play from scrimmage in overtime, racing down the sideline to send the crowd into hysteria.
 
Mendenhall’s run let kicker Jeff Reed off the hook. Reed missed a potential game-winning field goal with 40 seconds left in regulation after safety Troy Polamalu picked off Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at the Falcons’ 30-yard line.
 
Matt Bryant kicked three field goals and Roddy White had 13 catches for 111 yards for Atlanta.

• Pittsburgh will play their next game on the road against Tennessee. The Steelers have a W/L % of 1.000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
• Atlanta will play their next game at home against Arizona. The Falcons have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.