Steelers vs. Saints score, takeaways: Pittsburgh stifles New Orleans with defense, dominant ground game

Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett earns his second career win

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. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 2:13 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

It's been a while but here is Maulet's PBU on Olave earlier in the half. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 2:09 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Give Pickett credit for throwing downfield. He consistently has a receiver open short but instead is going for the bigger gain. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 2:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Johnson able to draw a DPI on the Steelers second play of their second drive. The throw was designed to go to Johnson, but Pickett did have Najee open on the left flat. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 2:04 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Won't be a sack, but Watt able to track Dalton down from behind on third and long. Stop forces the Saints to settle for Will Lutz's 44-yard FG, as the Saints are now on the board. It's 10-3 Steelers with 6:40 left until halftime. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 2:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Kamara's first down run moments ago. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 2:01 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Diving catch by Rashid Shaheed gives the Saints a first down at the Steelers 26. Easily the Saints best drive of the game to this point. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:58 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kamara rips off his best run of the day after Watt blew by him to hit Hill on the RPO. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:58 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

This is becoming a thing. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:56 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers have to punt after Pickett to Pickens ends up a few yards short of the first down. Harris was back in the game for that drive after his visit to the medical tent. Steelers lack of recent success on first down has really hampered them on the last few drives. It's been an issue all year. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:53 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

New mascot? 😂

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Olave nearly pulled down what would have been a big completion but it's broken up by former Saint Arthur Maulet. Steelers secondary has played well so far without Fitzpatrick. Steelers' fourth drive will start at their own 11-yard-line. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rookie Chris Olave makes a nice catch as the Saints nearing midfield on their third drive. Remember, the Saints are playing without two of their usual starters on the O-line, and their replacements have a combined three career starts including today. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:44 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Saints bring the rush on third down, forcing Pickett to settle for a short completion to Feiermuth. Matthew Wright salvages the drive with a 33-yard field goal, as Steelers increase lead to 10-0 less than a minute into the second quarter. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:42 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's Harris' long run that ended with him taking a good shot to the head. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers up 7-0 after one and have the ball just outside the red zone to start the second quarter. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:39 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Najee Harris rips off a 36-yard run that included a big hit on P.J. Williams downfield. Harris was a little slow to get up after he took a hit to the head. He's going into the medical tent. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:37 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Roughing the passer on Kentavius Street gives the Steelers a first down on third and long. Pickett had thrown an incomplete pass to Diontae Johnson. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:32 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Saints forced to punt for a second time in as many possessions. Dalton had Taysom Hill open in the left flat on third down by Dalton went instead to Kamara, who was gang tackled three yards shy of the first down. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:27 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at the first score of today's game. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:25 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

George Pickens gives the Steelers an early lead on a jet sweep. Nice early drive by the Steelers, who 57 yards on 12 plays. Good drive by Harris and Pickett, who completed three key passes on the drive, including his fourth down throw to Warren in the flat. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:22 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett hits Diontae Johnson for another first down as the Steelers are at the Saints' 6-yard-line. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett hits Jaylen Warren for a first down on fourth-and-2. Warren has been a surprising new element to the Steelers' offense this year as an undrafted rookie. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Two nice runs by Harris gives the Steelers the ball at the Saints 45. Good blocking on the right side by James Daniels and Mason Cole 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:13 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Quick three and out for Saints. Steelers second drive will start at their own 47-yard-line. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:12 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Watt swallows up Alvin Kamara on the Saints' second play of scrimmage. Larry Ogunjobi, who has also been dealing with an injury, is back on the field for the Steelers today. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers punt after picking up one first down on a completion from Pickett to Pickens. Pickett continues to struggle with out routes. His third down pass intended for Friermuth on the outside was easily batted down by Alontae Taylor. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 1:04 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers get the ball first with Kenny Pickett making his fifth career start. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 12:57 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers announce the defense, and T.J. Watt gets a huge hand as he plays in his first home game of the 2022 season. He hasn't played since Week 1 after dealing with pec and knee issues. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 12:53 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Definitely mid fall weather in Pittsburgh today. It's currently 41 degrees, with 58% humidity and 13mph. 

[Nov 13, 2022 at 12:47 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Ben Roethlisberger is in the house to honor Heath Miller on his Hall of Honor induction. Roethlisberger usually attends Steelers home games but is low key and doesn't go on the field. Obviously today is an exception.