Filed under: Saints, Steelers, AFC North, NFC South
Who says the Saints are yesterday's news? They are not as lethal on offense, but the Saints have changed their identity, as if they have grabbed one of the costumes from the throng in the Louisiana Superdome and remade themselves.They have gone from Super Heroes on offense, to Super Heroes on defense. A season ago, on their way to a Super Bowl title, they won with offense. This season, with injuries ruining their continuity on offense, their defense has been much better than 2009.
The Saints (5-3) showed off their defense again Sunday night with a 20-10 victory over the Steelers (5-2), who had been making a case for themselves as the best team in the NFL.
Some quick thoughts on the game:
o. The Saints, remember, were coming off a shocking loss to the then 1-5 Cleveland Browns. Brees had been careless with the ball in that game with four interceptions, including two picks returned for touchdowns. Sunday night against the Steelers, he was much more secure with the ball.
o. What's different about the Saints' defense? They have a lot of injuries in the secondary, but it is up front where New Orleans is so much improved. Ends Will Smith and Alex Brown and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis are playing well, so is linebacker Scott Shanle.
o. The Steelers played without both starting defensive ends, Brett Kiesel (hamstring) and Aaron Smith (triceps). Ziggy Hood, the first round draft pick in 2009, managed himself well in the Steelers' base 3-4 defense.
o. Brees was 20 of 22 passing in the second half when he threw the clinching 8-yard touchdown pass to Lance Moore with 2:37 to play.
o. The Steelers had trouble protecting Ben Roethlisberger most of the game against the Saints' blitzes. The Pittsburgh quarterback still does not have his timing down with his receiving corps after missing the first four games of the season.
o. Can you see it? The Saints defense is really good with these defensive ends Will Smith and Alex Brown, linebacker Jon Vilma and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. Look at the goal line stand in the first half. Look at the stand following an interception. This is without starting corners Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter.
If they had running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, the Saints would not be having such a hard time on offense and would be helping this defense. They would be the best team in the NFC.
o. Why didn't Mike Tomlin challenge at the goal line in the second quarter? It cost his team four points. On second down from the Saints' 2-yard line, running back Rashard Mendenhall spun toward the goal line and the ball appeared to break the plane of the goal line as he was tackled. No appeal by Tomlin. The Steelers were stopped on the next play, which was third down, and had to kick a field goal.o. The first half interception Brees threw to the Steelers' cornerback Ike Taylor was Brees' 11th pick of the season. He threw 11 in all of 2009.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/10/31/steelers-vs-saints-new-orleans-defense-downright-scary-on-hall/
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