Steelers Monday Aftermath: Defense, Running Game Come Alive

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the turnover battle, with the offense creating a second-half lead and the defense clamping down for a 20-10 victory over the hapless New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

 Kenny Pickett did not have a banner day throwing the ball, but he did hold onto the ball, not committing a turnover over the course of the game, and allowing his defense to comfortably win the turnover battle. Pickett suffered an ankle injury in the game, but continuing to play through it and said after the game it felt fine.

 T.J. Watt made his long-awaited return to Acrisure Stadium, and it wasn’t just long-awaited by the fanbase. Watt said he had “full body chills” running out of the tunnel before the game. Watt said he felt 100% and was not limited in any way by the injury.

 Najee Harris had his best game of the season, rushing 20 times for 99 yards, and he also said all the right things about his timeshare with Jaylen Warren. Warren and Harris could become the kind of two-headed monster the Steelers haven’t seen in a long time at running back.

 The Steelers defense was dominant, even though the team found out on Sunday that star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick would have to miss the game after having an appendectomy.

 The return of safety Damontae Kazee loomed large in that math, as he played the entire game in Fitzpatrick’s place in his first game with the Steelers since a preseason injury. Kazee’s second-half interception set up Kenny Pickett’s touchdown run to put Pittsburgh ahead by two scores.

Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace were the starters at cornerback with Ahkello Witherspoon and William Jackson III out. Wallace had the team’s other interception.

 Kicker Matthew Wright, who was brought in this week after Chris Boswell landed on the injured reserve list, missed two of his four field goal attempts.

 Linebacker Myles Jack was cleared to play while returning from a knee injury, but was held out as a precaution.

 Steelers left guard Kevin Dotson and outside linebacker Malik Reed, both of whom had been questionable, dressed and played.

 Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu warmed up before the game in a Troy Polamalu t-shirt.

 The Steelers can credit their success to stopping Saints Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill to Mitch Trubisky‘s work on the scout team.

OTHER STEELERS NEWS AND LINKS

 Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher called the hiring of Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday a “disgrace to the coaching profession.” Saturday won his debut against the Raiders on Sunday.

 Former Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was injured on a vicious hit in the Kansas City Chiefs game.

 Pat Freiermuth wore cleats with Steelers Hall of Honor inductee Heath Miller on them.

 Chase Claypool ran just five passing routes for the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

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For all the good that happened on this play, check out Kenny Pickett getting out in front of the run and trying to block downfield. You won't see that from every QB. pic.twitter.com/7j023q4HZz

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 13, 2022

STEELERS SCHEDULE

 The Steelers will report to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side for treatment and film study. — Alan Saunders

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