2016 Recall: Steelers pickup first win of preseason in the Big Easy

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on February 18, 2017

Picking up where we left off, the Steelers were now two games into the preseason, with two losses on the record.

Now, the games don’t count for anything, and considering that a slew of Steelers starters had sat for the first two games, fans were itching to see what the offense might look like with the “real” players in the game.

Pittsburgh wouldn’t disappoint in “The Big Easy”, as Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and others returned, making short work of the New Orleans Saints in about a quarter’s worth of work on August 26, 2016.

The Steelers struck first (and second) with Roethlisberger connecting on touchdown passes to Jesse James (on a 75-yard first possession drive) and Antonio Brown (on a 57-yard beauty on the next possession) to jump out to a 14-0 lead.

Le’Veon Bell returned as well, showing no signs of injury, or rust, carrying the ball three times for 21 yards, and catching 5 passes for 37 yards, before finding a spot on the bench for the rest of the “game”.

AB finished with 4 catches for 87 yards while James also had 4 grabs for 25.

Markus Wheaton also made an appearance, with 2 receptions for 40.

The excitement didn’t stop there, as Landry Jones and Sammie Coates both redeemed themselves while working with some of the other starters (mainly the offensive line). Jones would throw a TD to Sammie in the closing minute of the first half, while completing 19 of his 21 passes for 206 yards, and unlike a week earlier, no interceptions.

Prior to the big performances, Steelers Nation was again chomping on the bit for another backup QB, which this time would involve Bryn Renner (remember him?) who replaced the now-injured Dustin Vaughan (who hurt his fingers in the previous week’s game).

Renner would never attempt a pass in the game, and as preseason affairs go, much of second half was mundane, with exception of a few Saints scores, and a few Saints miscues. New Orleans would not come back from their 21-7 halftime deficit, as the Pittsburgh prevailed to a 27-14 victory.

Newly acquired LB Steven Johnson picked off Saints QB Garrett Grayson, while a little excitement came from seventh round pick LB Tyler Matakevich, who also added an interception to seal the game.