The Steelers played some of their own brand of football yesterday as they downed the New Orleans Saints, 20-10. The ball-control offense had its biggest rushing day in six years while the defense stuffed the Saints’ attack and intercepted two Andy Dalton passes.
The Steelers ran for 217 yards on the day, including a 99-yard day for Najee Harris. Kenny Pickett rushed for 51 and scored a touchdown on a one-yard run and wide receiver George Pickens also ran for a one-yard score.
Coach Mike Tomlin admired the work his team put in to get the win.
The Steelers’ defense was energized by the return of linebacker TJ Watt, even as they dealt with the absences of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Myles Jack. They held New Orleans to 186 yards of total offense, only 43 of those yards coming in the second half. Damontae Kazee and Levi Wallace stopped the Saints twice with picks in the fourth quarter.
Tomlin says he knew they had to stop running back Alvin Kamara and all-purpose man Taysom Hill. Kamara ran for 26 yards and the rest of the Saints could only muster three more yards on the ground.
Pickett earned his first win as a pro, completing 18 of 30 passes for 199 yards and no interceptions.
Tomlin liked what his young quarterback gave him yesterday.
Like the fans, Pickett enjoyed the return of TJ Watt and the overall performance of the defense.
Watt said the defense set the tone for the team and for the fans.
Injuries yesterday included sprained ankles for Pickett and tight end Pat Freiermuth, who both remained in the game. Fitzpatrick missed the game after having an appendectomy on Saturday and Myles Jack was in uniform and ready if needed, but Tomlin said they felt it prudent to hold Jack out because of his sore knee.
The Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday in a rematch of week one, which was a Steelers win. Game time will be 4:25 at Acrisure Stadium.
The Bengals had a bye yesterday and so did Baltimore. The other AFC North game was the Browns’ return from their bye week. They were walloped by Miami, 39-17. The Ravens top the division at 6-and-3. The Bengals are next at 5-and-4, with the Steelers and Browns both at 3-and-6.
Week Ten of the NFL season concludes tonight with undefeated Philadelphia hosting 4-and-5 Washington.
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