Week 8: Steelers vs Saints Preview
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Week 8: Pittsburgh at New Orleans Sunday Night Betting Matchup
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010
Venue: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Broadcast: NBC
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints Betting Lines from BetUs.com
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Saints -1
Over/Under: 44.5
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Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Maybe some of us thought the Steelers depth would’ve helped them “survive’ without Ben Roethlisberger – but who would’ve thought that they’d arguably be the Super Bowl frontrunner by Week 8? They went a very respectable 3-1 before Roethlisberger’s return from suspension and he hasn’t shown any rust since taking the field.
In two games so far, Big Ben averages 279.5 passing yards and has thrown for five scores. He’s immediately re-established his rapport with reliable Hines Ward and budding star Mike Wallace, who leads the NFL with an amazing 25.3 yards per catch. The Steelers’ offense was competent without Ben, largely because bellcow running back Rashard Mendenhall was so solid, but the Steelers could have a top-five offense in the league now that they’re at full strength.
The Steelers have also played lockdown defense this year for the most part. They allow the fewest points (13.7) and rushing yards (63.7) per game (13.7) in the NFL. They have been beatable against the pass at times this season, allowing 235.7 yards per game.
Though the Steelers haven’t faced an offense at the caliber of the Saints playing in the Superdome, they’ve held their own against above-average offenses like Atlanta, Tennessee, Baltimore and Miami. They held the Dolphins to a measly 64 rushing yards in a 23-22 win last week.
New Orleans Saints (4-3)
There’s little doubt that this is the Saints’ most important game of the season to date; after 2010 is over, we’ll probably look back and this game and describe it as the one that turned their season around or sent it into a tailspin. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
So far, the Saints have had bizarre trouble in some very winnable games. The loss to the resurgent Atlanta Falcons was forgivable but there’s no excuse for losing to Arizona and, at home last week, Cleveland. Drew Brees threw 11 interceptions all last season. In New Orleans’ losses to the Cardinals and Browns this year, he threw a combined seven picks. Are the errors a result of having no Reggie Bush? A Super Bowl hangover?
Saints fans have to hope it’s the latter. Maybe, just maybe, New Orleans has simply gotten caught looking past the week teams and saving its energy for the “big” games. This week’s matchup will tell us a lot. If the Saints win, they’re totally back in the Super Bowl picture. But what happens if Pittsburgh routs them?
The strangest part about the season is that the Saints’ defense has actually been quite solid, ranking third overall. Then again, when you get Tampa, Carolina, Arizona, San Francisco and Cleveland in your first seven games, it’s not too hard to look good on paper defensively. The more telling stat to me is what the Saints’ “D” did against a powerful offense like Atlanta’s.
The Falcons gashed them for 417 total yards, including 202 rushing yards.
The pick:
I’m not convinced the Saints are ready to win this game. The Steelers’ offense is the best one they’ve faced by far since the Atlanta game and I think Big Ben, Mendenhall and company will move the ball well.
New Orleans will put its share of points on the board too – they’ll be playing catchup and the Steelers are susceptible to lapses against the pass – but I think Pittsburgh will prevail. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brees make a few more blunders in this game; Troy Polamalu may catch a few souvenirs when all is said and done.
Steelers vs Saints prediction: Steelers 31, Saints 24
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Steelers +1
Over/Under: OVER 44.5
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