The Pittsburgh Steelers are returning to Heinz Field this Sunday to take on the 4-7 New Orleans Saints. Plenty of numbers are in the Steelers favor entering this game. The Steelers are 6-1 off a bye under Mike Tomlin. They are also 4-1 at home, while the Saints are 1-4 when playing on the road. The Saints are also riding a three game losing streak which has not hurt their playoff chances because nobody wins games in the NFC South. With all those numbers in favor of the home team that could mean nothing if certain players on each side have big games. Here are a few players to watch for on Sunday.
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Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram was the talk of the NFL (or at the least fantasy football world) just a few weeks ago. After running for three consecutive 100-yard games he has fallen back to earth with two straight games with a yard per rush average for under three. The former Heisman Trophy winner has had an up and down career in New Orleans. The three 100-yard games this season make up 75% of his career 100-yard games. That’s right Ingram has only four 100-yard performances in his four-year career. The positive for the Saints though is that when they get 100 or more from Ingram they are 3-1, with the one loss coming in overtime to the 49ers this season. The past two games Ingram has been shut down by two AFC North teams. The Bengals held him to 97 total yards two weeks ago, while the Ravens held Ingram to 27 rushing yards last night. The Saints lost those two games by 24 points. If the Steelers can shut down Mark Ingram it could go a long way in helping them to beat the Saints by making them very one-dimensional. The Steelers rushing defense has been getting better by the way. They currently rank tenth in yards allowed and they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher since Arian Foster ran for 102 yards against the Steelers in week 7.
Ike Taylor
Ike Taylor returned to practice yesterday for the first time since he fractured his forearm against the Carolina Panthers in week three. If he can get onto the field Sunday it would be just in time to face the third ranked passing offense in the NFL. While Drew Brees has not had his best season having already thrown 11 interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns, the Saints are still loaded with targets even with rookie Brandin Cooks remaining out. Last night against the Ravens, Brees completed passes to ten different receivers. The addition of Ike Taylor to the Steelers secondary can only help the pass defense that ranks 16th in yards allowed. After Zach Mettenberger had a decent game against the Steelers secondary, including the 80-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington against William Gay, it could be a long day for the Steelers corners if they don’t get back a veteran like Ike. The Saints love to throw the ball down the field. Against the Ravens their wide receivers caught 16 passes for 284 yards. That’s an average of 17.7 yards per catch. If Ike plays, let’s hope he is in game shape and can give the Steelers something, or else Drew Brees could have a monster game.
Antonio Brown
The Ravens only threw for 243 yards last night against the Saints defense, who rank 23rd in pass yards allowed. The problem for the Saints defense was not tackling the Ravens receivers last night. Torrey Smith and Steve Smith both had very good nights. Steve Smith scored a touchdown and nearly got in a fight with a guy, while Torrey Smith had the most receiving yards he’s had all season at 98. Most of those yards were from yards after catch. If the Saints allow the Steelers wide receivers to have space after they catch the ball, it could be a good day for Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. I haven’t made any predictions in these Tuesday posts but I’m ready to make one now. I am very confident that AB will have 100 receiving yards for the first time since the Ravens game in week nine. After seeing Joe Flacco have little trouble getting it to his two main targets against the Saints corners Keenan Lewis, Patrick Robinson, and Corey White it’s hard to envision the Steelers not being able to have the same success against the Saints.
Who else should we keep an eye on Steelers Nation? Happy Thanksgiving.