It took nine games, but the Steelers looked the way they had hoped to look all season long in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Saints. Pittsburgh unleashed a dominant defense that welcomed back the return of T.J. Watt. The defense forced two big second-half turnovers, while Kenny Pickett and the Steelers' offense did enough to earn Pittsburgh's third win of the season, and the rookie quarterback's second victory in the NFL.
Damontae Kazee, starting in place of the injured Minkah Fitzpatrick, recorded a key pick of Saints quarterback Andy Dalton with the Steelers protecting a 13-10 lead three minutes into the fourth quarter. The pick set up Pickett's third rushing touchdown of the season. Levi Wallace's pick on the Saints next drive ended any thoughts of a Saints comeback.
After an early lead, the Steelers found themselves in a 10-10 tie with the visiting Saints at intermission. The Steelers struck first when George Pickens scored from a yard out on a jet sweep with 5:06 left in the first quarter. Pittsburgh added to its lead when Matthew Wright booted a 44-yard field goal less than a minute into the second quarter. Wright's field goal was set up by Najee Harris' 36-yard run, the Steelers longest run of the season to this point.
New Orleans responded with two unanswered scores before halftime. Down 10-3, the Saints tied the score when Dalton hit tight end Juwan Johnson on a 15-yard pass with 19 seconds before halftime. Dalton enjoyed a solid first half, as the former Pro Bowler threw for 129 yards on 12-of-16 passing.
Dalton and the Saints offense was unable to keep pace in the second half, however, as the Steelers' defense came up with two interceptions and a turnover on downs on three consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter. Conversely, the Steelers' offense had a monster game on the ground as Pittsburgh ran for a season-high 217 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries.
Here's a closer look at what transpired in Pittsburgh.
Why the Steelers won
Pittsburgh played its best game of the season on both sides of the ball. The Steelers largely had their way with the Saints' offense despite not having Fitzpatrick in the secondary. The Steelers' offense put together the franchise's first 200-yard game since Le'Veon Bell ran for a franchise record 236 yards back in December of 2016. Najee Harris ran for a season-high 99 yards, while Pickett ran for an additional 51 of yards while completing 18 of 30 passes without committing a turnover.
Why the Saints lost
New Orleans' inability to run the ball (they gained just 29 yards on 15 carries) and stop the run greatly contributed to the loss. Ten penalties, two late-game turnovers and going just 3 of 12 on third down also played significant roles in New Orleans losing its seventh game of the season.
Turning point
It was anyone's game late in the third quarter, after Wright suffered his first of two missed field-goal attempts in the second half following Pittsburgh's first drive of the half. The Steelers' defense responded to the miss by forcing a punt after a penalty and a Dalton fumble short-circuited the drive. Pittsburgh took the lead for good on its ensuing drive after Pickett hit Diontae Johnson for a 36-yard gain. The big completion set up Wright's 33-yard field goal, giving the Steelers a 13-10 lead just over a minute into the final stanza.
Play of the game
Four missed interception opportunities contributed to the Steelers' one-score loss three weeks ago in Miami. It was a different story on Sunday, as the Steelers came up with two big interceptions that helped seal the win. The first was pulled down by Kazee, who was recently activated to the active roster after suffering an injury during Pittsburgh's final preseason game.
Pickett hit fellow rookie Jaylen Warren for a 26-yard gain two plays after Kazee's pick. Pickett hit Warren again a few plays later to convert a third down before Pickett's short touchdown run put the game on ice.
Quotable
"The O-line was unbelievable. Those guys stuck with it. They worked hard on the bye week and obviously this week getting prepared for it. And then Najee and Jaylen did what they do best. We have two really talented backs. We kind of leaned on those guys. I thought we had really good balance today. They did a great job in the passing game as well.
"In all phases, I thought we took a step in the right direction today." — Pickett when asked what they key was to the Steelers' successful running game
What's next
Pittsburgh will stay at home, where it will host AFC North rival Cincinnati. The Steelers upset the defending AFC champions back in Week 1 behind Minkah Fitzpatrick's stellar effort that led to him winning Defensive Player of the Week. The Bengals, after an 0-2 start, went into their Week 10 bye with a 5-4 record on the strength of an improved offense and an exceptional defense.
Next Sunday's game against the Rams is the Saints' only home game during a four-game span that started Sunday in Pittsburgh. The defending champion Rams have a losing record so far as they try to find a consistent playmaker alongside Cooper Kupp.