The Pittsburgh Steelers just locked in their third consecutive win, gutting out a tough 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. This win puts them at an impressive 5-2 on the season, tying them with powerhouses like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs for the most wins in the entire AFC. But make no mistake, while a future Hall of Famer hit a huge milestone, this game was all about that punishing ground game.
Smash Mouth Football Is Back, Baby
From the jump, Pittsburgh made it absolutely crystal clear: they were going to run the ball down the Saints’ throats. And why wouldn’t they? New Orleans came into this game sporting the worst run defense in the entire NFL by EPA, and the Steelers decided to feast. Jaylen Warren exploded for 43 yards on the ground on that opening drive alone, setting a physical tone that never let up. Even though that first drive stalled out to a Chris Boswell field goal for a 3-0 lead, the message was sent. The first quarter was a battle of attrition, with each team only getting one drive. After an 11-play Saints punt, Pittsburgh answered with a 13-play drive that also ended in a punt. Once the Saints managed a field goal to tie it, Pittsburgh put together a blistering 77-yard drive in just six plays, capped off by a Darnell Washington touchdown grab. And yeah, that was Aaron Rodgers’ 540th career touchdown pass, officially moving him past Peyton Manning for third all-time! Legendary stuff, no doubt.
The Game-Flipping Moment And Closing It Out
But the Saints weren’t just going to roll over. They fired back with a 12-play drive of their own, finishing it with a Devaughn Vele touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. Just like that, it was a one-point game after Pittsburgh added another Boswell field goal to make it 13-10. Then, the whole thing shifted. New Orleans looked poised to score again, maybe even take the lead, when Payton Wilson stepped up and picked off Tyler Shough in the red zone. That was massive, killing a drive that could’ve tied the game or put the Saints ahead. Pittsburgh then added a third Boswell field goal to extend their lead to 16-10. New Orleans never even sniffed the red zone again after that. Daniel Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal, and the next time the Saints had the ball, it was four plays and a punt.
When the Steelers got the ball back with less than six minutes on the clock, they did what old-school football teams do: they ran out the clock. A crucial third-down scramble by Rodgers kept the drive alive, and an offsides penalty on the Saints on what would have been a fourth Boswell field goal allowed Pittsburgh to simply kneel it out. Talk about a clean finish! The keys to victory? Leaning into the run game and being efficient on third down. They absolutely crushed it, out-rushing the Saints 148-18 and converting 10 of their 16 third-down attempts. Jaylen Warren finished with a fantastic 101 rushing yards and added 36 receiving. Rico Dowdle chipped in with 41 rushing yards and 45 receiving. On defense, Patrick Queen was a beast with a team-high 10 tackles and a sack on the Saints’ final offensive play, while T.J. Watt also added a sack as Pittsburgh racked up six tackles for loss.
Next up, the Steelers host the Browns. It’s a huge opportunity to hit 6-2 before their Week 9 bye. This team is playing with fire right now, and that run game? It’s a nightmare for defenses.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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