Steelers Scouting Report: Week 10 versus the New Orleans Saints

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on November 10, 2022

Steel City Underground’s “Steelers Scouting Report” is a preview of each opponent Pittsburgh will face throughout the 2022-23 NFL regular season on a weekly basis, with analysis, injury news, and potential key matchups.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will exit their ‘bye’ week to host the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium in Week 10 of the 2022 NFL regular season. The Saints are 3-6 entering the game and in third place in the current NFC South rankings. New Orleans is also coming off of a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, 27-13. The Steelers, at 2-6, look to overcome many of the deficiencies that plagued them throughout the first part of the season and play spoiler in a home game. If you are interested in online betting (and not just on the NFL but on other sports as well, you can find out more by clicking this link.

These two teams have only played each other six times since 1993. Ahead of this “November football” game, we look at the Saints as a team and potential key matchups.

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Saints offense

The Steelers will see a familiar face at quarterback in Andy Dalton. Dalton took over for Jameis Winston when the latter missed the Saints’ Week 4 game in London against the Minnesota Vikings because of ankle and back injuries. With Winston sidelined for two weeks, Dalton moved into the starting position and has kept it due to performance. While Winston was a turnover machine, Dalton has avoided as many mistakes and sacks due to a battered offensive line.

Player	Comp. %	Passing yards	TDs	INTs	Rating	Sacks
Andy Dalton	65.2	235	1.8	0.8	95.1	0.8
Jameis Winston	63.5	286	1.3	1.7	79.5	3.7

New Orleans won’t just employ Dalton, and haven’t all season, at quarterback. Taysom Hill, listed as a tight end on the team’s depth chart, is heavily utilized in the wildcat-type offensive schemes. Per PFF, Hill has more snaps at quarterback than any other position, but his ability to run, catch, and throw the ball has made him a multiple-threat athlete in the Saints’ offense.

Although there had been talks about the Saints moving on from running back Alvin Kamara at the free agency deadline, it was all for naught. Dead cap money was key in the decision to keep him on-roster despite low touchdown numbers.

Kamara provides both a rushing and receiving piece in their offense, however, and could be pivotal against the Steelers with Mark Ingram (knee) a question mark and made some other moves by elevating practice squad running back Jordan Howard to a backup position with Dwayne Washington only seeing time in three games this season. Kamara’s court date after he was seen punching a man this past week has been postponed, for now.

The New Orleans offensive line is one of the most concerning groups entering Week 10. Guard Wyatt Davis was waived while center Erik McCoy, guard Andrus Peat, and tackle Ryan Ramczyk are all battling injuries. The offensive line on Sunday could consist of James Hurst, Calvin Throckmorton, Cesar Ruiz, Landon Young, and Lewis Kidd.

“I just think more consistency is what we’re looking for… putting all three phases togther for a full 60 minutes.” – head coach Dennis Allen

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As for the receiving corps, Jarvis Landry (ankle) has been overshadowed most of the season by rookie receiver Chris Olave. Against the Ravens, Olave caught six passes for 71 yards and has a knack for finding openings in opposing coverages. The Saints have Marquez Callaway, Kevin White, Tre’Quan Smith, and Rashid Shaheed at their disposal, but they’ve had ups and downs throughout the season and will have to battle a Steelers secondary that has seen some new faces added recently to create more defensive prowess in the backend of Pittsburgh’s defense.

Against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Saints pulled out a 24-0 victory but their offense earned just 243 yards against the Ravens, converting only 3-of-11 third-down attempts.

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Saints defense

In last week’s game, New Orleans allowed just 319 yards of offense from the Ravens but 188 of them were rushing yards. They also allowed Baltimore to convert 9-of-15 third-down attempts and possess the ball for 37:47 minutes. It was a recipe for disaster.

The loss of Pete Werner at linebacker – a guy who was leading the NFL with 53 solo tackles (74 total), two forced fumbles, and three pass defenses – was filled by Kaden Elliss in Week 9. Elliss may be called-on again this week if Werner is unable to suit up. It doesn’t help that the Saints had to place fellow linebacker Chase Hansen on injured/reserved, either.

The Saints have allowed opponents to throw against them for 1,797 yards (ranked 14th in the NFL) but have conceded 199.7 yards per contest via the pass and a completion percentage of 61.8 percent. On the season, New Orleans’ defense has allowed 320.6 yards per game to opponents (ranked 11th in the league), 11 touchdowns through the air, and nine touchdowns on the ground. Opponents have recorded 1,088 yards rushing through nine weeks of play; the Saints conceding 25.2 points per game.

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Cornerback Marshawn Lattimore has missed the last four games due to an abdominal injury. Allen said he’d be monitored although Lattimore has increased the intensity of his workouts.

“I’m hopeful we’ll get him back sooner than later… It’s a painful injury to come back from and he’s working hard to get back.” – Dennis Allen

Meanwhile, Alonte Taylor is the presumed starter in Lattimore’s place and will need assistance in covering George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth, and the Steelers receivers from teammates Paulson Adebo, Chris Harris Jr., Marcus Maye, and Tyrann Mathieu. P.J. Williams may also see time on the field this week.

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