PITTSBURGH — Kicking off the second half of their season, the Steelers emerged from the off week and turned to their instant victory formula: Just add Watt.
T.J. Watt’s return wasn’t the only reason they fended off the Saints for a 20-10 win Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, but it sure seemed as if the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year provided a spark in his first game since Week 1. The Steelers brought the splash plays on offense, won the turnover battle and kept a lid on it — as Mike Tomlin likes to say — against a struggling Saints offense.
Kenny Pickett wasn’t overly sharp, especially early, but saved some of his best work for the fourth quarter to engineer a touchdown drive and finish with 199 yards on 18-of-30 passing — plus a not-at-all insignificant 53 yards rushing. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren did their parts, too, rushing for 99 and 37 yards, respectively, to help the Steelers average 5.2 per carry. Andy Dalton, longtime Bengals quarterback, fell to 3-14 all-time facing the Steelers.
