Joel Wilson – Staff Writer

jnw5443@psu.edu

New Orleans Saints QB Andy Dalton cannot seem to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Going into Sunday’s week 10 matchup at Acrisure Stadium, Dalton was 3-13 in 17 starts against the Black and Gold. In his first start against Pittsburgh as a part of any other team than the Bengals, Dalton’s troubles continued. 

It certainly did not help that a considerable portion of the Saints’ squad is currently on the injured reserve, and Sunday was Pittsburgh’s first game with TJ Watt since early September. 

With 5 minutes left in the first quarter, Pitt graduate Kenny Pickett handed the ball to George Pickens for a 1-yard carry, giving Pittsburgh the lead. 

This was Pickens’ first rushing touchdown in his NFL career. Wright’s extra point was good, putting Andy Dalton behind 7-0.

The Steelers’ next drive included an important 45-yard carry from Najee Harris, which secured a first down. A hit at the end of the run sent Harris to the medical tent. Ultimately, Pittsburgh’s star RB did not sustain any injury great enough to prevent him from playing later in the game.

The first quarter would end during this drive. The Steelers would open the second quarter, and end their possession, with a 33-yard field goal by Matthew Wright to extend their lead 10-0.

Pittsburgh’s defense ensured that the Saints would not go into halftime with a lead. 

Steelers CB Arthur Maulet broke up a pass attempt to New Orleans WR Chris Olave. This was important because, had Olave made the catch, New Orleans would have had a fresh set of downs deep in Pittsburgh territory. The incomplete pass forced the Saints to punt.

On their next possession, the Saints put together a more productive, but not completely optimized, drive. New Orleans WR Rashid Shaheed made a great catch on third down and 7.

This set up first and 10 at Pittsburgh’s 26. The Saints would lose a yard on an unsuccessful run play. 

TJ Watt broke up a pass attempt to Jarvis Landry on second down and tackled Andy Dalton to force a fourth down. Lutz would come on for the Saints and kick a 44-yard field goal to make it 7-3. 

Before the first half ended, Dalton would throw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson, which was followed up by an extra point from Lutz. While the Saints did tie the game, good defense from the Steelers limited the damage and prevented the momentum from shifting to the New Orleans bench. 

There would be no scoring from either squad in the third quarter. The Steelers attempted a 39-yard field goal attempt from Wright, but it was kicked wide. Pittsburgh’s usual kicker, Chris Boswell, is out with a groin injury, and will be out for a few more games. 

The most notable play in the scoreless third frame was Pickett’s longest pass completion of the season- a 36-yard toss to Diontae Johnson.

The 10-10 deadlock was broken in the fourth quarter by a 33-yard field goal from Wright. Trying to overcome the 13-10 lead, Andy Dalton took to the field and promptly threw an interception to Steelers safety Damontae Kazee. Sunday was Kazee’s Steelers debut.

With the ball in their possession again, the Steelers marched down the field in search of a larger lead. A crucial penalty from New Orleans’ CB Paulson Adebo would open the door for the Steelers to seal the victory. On third and goal, Adebo was called for defensive pass interference. This gave the Steelers a new set of downs, which they used to score a touchdown on a one-yard rush from Kenny Pickett. The extra point was good. 

Had that penalty not been called, the Steelers would have attempted to kick a field goal. Had the hypothetical kick been good, the Saints would have still been able to take the lead with a touchdown and an extra point. If it had been missed, a field goal would have still been able to tie the game. But the score did not stay 13-10 or change to 16-10. It stood 20-10. 

The Steelers would carry that score all the way through the end of the game. The Saints had a few chances to win this game, or keep it close, but penalties ultimately did them in. In fact, they tied a season high team record of penalties with 10. 

The Saints will take what they learned on Sunday and apply it in practice during the week. They hope to turn things around against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

The Steelers next game will also be Sunday. They hope to continue their winning ways against the Cincinnati Bengals. Kickoff will be 4:25 p.m.