The Pittsburgh Steelers return to action with two straight home games and a massive need to get some wins under their belt. This week the New Orleans Saints come to town and here’s everything you need to know about the game!
What: New Orleans 3-6 at Pittsburgh Steelers 2-6
Where: Acrisure Stadium Pittsburgh, PA
When: 1pmET Sunday November 13th, 2022
Weather: Cloudy and 39 degrees at kickoff
Wagering Information: Saints -1 O/U 40
Last Week: The Saints lost on Monday night in New Orleans to the Baltimore Ravens 27-13 while the Steelers were on their BYE week.
TV: FOX Adam Amin (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (analysis), Kristina Pink (sideline)
TV Coverage in Your Area: Very limited viewing this week across the country. 506sports.com.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis), Missi Matthews (sideline),
Max Starks (sideline)
Westwood One Radio: N/A
Head Official: Carl Cheffers. He is in his 15th season as a head official and is a sales manager from Fresno, California. Last the Steelers saw him was about a year ago in Los Angeles when they lost to the Chargers. There were 20 accepted penalties in that game.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: OL Kevin Dotson (Abdomen) – Questionable
LB Malik Reed (Excused for Personal Reasons) – Questionable, CB William Jackson III (Back) – Out, CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Hamstring) – Out NO: DE Marcus Davenport (Calf) – Questionable, RB Mark Ingram II (Knee) – Out
CB Marshon Lattimore (Abdomen) – Out, C Erik McCoy (Calf) – Out, G Andrus Peat (Tricep) – Out
LB Pete Werner (Ankle) – Out, S Marcus Maye (Abdomen) – Questionable, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Illness) – Questionable
S P.J. Williams (Illness) – Questionable
Injury Notes: Matthew Wright takes over for Chris Boswell for the next four weeks minimum… Lattimore being out is a big win for the Steelers’ passing game… Fans will have to wait to see newly acquired WJIII
2022 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 32nd NO 9th Passing Offense: PIT 26th NO 6th Rushing Offense: PIT 29th NO 10th
Total Defense: PIT 21st NO 28th Passing Defense: PIT 28th NO 14th Rushing Defense: PIT 9th NO 22nd
AFC North Rankings: Baltimore 6-3, Cincinnati 5-4, Cleveland 3-5, Pittsburgh 2-6
This Week in the AFC North: Cleveland at Miami, Baltimore, Cincinnati are on BYEs
What You Need to Know: Mike Tomlin is 0-3 against the Saints in his career… Saints’ Head Coach Dennis Allen is 2-0 all-time against the Steelers… New Orleans has won three straight against the Steelers… The last Steelers’ win was in 2006… Pittsburgh is 21-12 following a BYE week including a record of 10-3 at home… Tomlin is 11-4 after the BYE and is 5-1 at home… Since 1970, the Steelers have the best record in the NFL in the month of November going 134-80-2… Also since 1970, the Steelers have the best home record in November over that span going 73-27-2… Steelers Defensive Line Coach Karl Dunbar played for the Saints in the early 1990’s.
New Orleans Saints Names to Know: QB Andy Dalton, QB Jameis Winston, ATH Taysom Hill, WR Chris Olave, WR Jarvis Landry, DE Cam Jordan, S Tyrann Mathieu
What’s at Stake: At 3-6, the Saints are just 2 games out of first place in the NFC South so they are still fighting to win their division. The Steelers meanwhile are 2-6 and in the cellar of the AFC North. They are by no means out of of division and playoff contention but they need to finish above .500 and that tall task begins on Sunday.
All-Time Series: Saints lead 9-7, Series is tied 3-3 in Pittsburgh.
Postseason History: N/A
Steelers Game Highs vs NO: PASSING: 2014 Ben Roethlisberger 435 yards RUSHING: 2006 Willie Parker 213 yards RECEIVING: 2018 Antonio Brown 185 yards SACKS: 1984 Mike Merriweather 3.0 INTERCEPTIONS: 1993 (most recent) Rod Woodson 2
Last Meeting: December 2018 in New Orleans. Saints 31-28
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Let’s See It Offense. Matt Canada has had two weeks to plan for the Saints and for life without Chase Claypool. Kenny Pickett has had two weeks to get his feet back under him and clean up some things in the passing game. The offensive line has had two weeks to get their poop in a pile after an awful showing in Philly. Najee Harris has had two weeks to get healthier and settle himself down. In other words, excuses will not be tolerated even against a solid Saints’ defense. If the fan base sees the same things we saw before the BYE then this half of the season will be longer than we may have expected.
2. Watt are Your Expectations? If you are under the impression that T.J. Watt is going to be on the field for every play then you’re dreaming. The Steelers will bring him along slowly and will more than likely use him as a situational pass rusher. Malik Reed and others are still going to have to do their jobs and they should expect to see solid snap numbers. The number one goal for Watt is to be healthy when the final gun sounds. I have every expectation that he’s going to get a sack and that he’s going to harass the hell out of Andy Dalton, but we all have to slow down our overall expectations for Sunday.
3. Keep Kamara Bottled Up. If you’re Teryl Austin, you want Andy Dalton to HAVE to beat you. That starts with keeping Alvin Kamara in check. What scares the crap out of me is the fact that the Steelers struggle with guys getting open over the middle of the field. The Saints love to get Kamara open in precisely that location and let’s not forget that even if Myles Jack can play this week he won’t be 100%. Yes, Kamara can hurt you in the running game but his skills as a receiver are what have me concerned.
Prediction: In terms of ranking, the Saints’ defense doesn’t look all that good. Don’t be so quick to dismiss them though. They have guys capable of getting pressure and their secondary is also very good and is going up against very young receivers. I have tremendous faith that the Steelers will be able to make Andy Dalton see ghosts of Steelers’ past which will keep this game close but how can I possibly have any faith in this offense? Throw in the fact that Chris Boswell is now on IR and you’ve got the perfect storm for a defensive battle.
Saints 19 Steelers 13
Season Record 5-3
