Steelers @ Saints: Tying One Arm Behind Your Back

The Steelers aren’t making it easy on themselves, but they sit at 4-2, tied with the Browns and Ravens atop the AFC North. Who cares how you get there, because Pittsburgh keeps getting there. Aaron Rodgers helped lead a 12 play, 70-yard drive for a TD to put the Steelers up in OT, and then their defense closed it out. Rodgers ended the game with 253 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Rico Dowdle was back and had 7 carries for 40 yards which is pretty good for his first game back in a few weeks. When they have won, it’s always been close. They have yet to really distance themselves against an opponent, and I feel like they aren’t able to lean on one side of the ball quite yet. Yes, they are the 9^th ranked defense in football, but they aren’t stifling teams. They’re doing just enough to win. And that’s fine, but it won’t be when you play real teams. I’d like to hope that is the goal for Pittsburgh as they take on a weaker end Saints team.

         The Saints rolled the Giants from 1 minute until halftime, until about 7 mins left in the 4^th quarter. The Saints had 5 drives in that period, and they scored on 4/5 drives. They had a 34-10 lead, Tyler Shough and the Saints were moving the ball well. And then suddenly, CJ Donaldson fumbles the football, giving it back to the Giants. The Saints proceeded to let the Giants score on 3 straight drives, cutting the lead to 34-27. This is more on the Saints defense than the Giants offense. Yes, it’s nice to see the Giants finally score, but it’s more concerning that the Saints let them back into the game on that big of a lead. They have the 29^th overall defense, the 25^th ranked pass defense, and the 30^th ranked run defense. They did well in the run game, but in the passing game they were just letting guys get open. New Orleans is lucky Jaxson Dart is not playing, or this would’ve been a very different game. I like the Steelers because they can play defense, but if the Saints come out swinging, it could go either way.