Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 keys to victory over the Saints

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after intercepting a pass intended for Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after intercepting a pass intended for Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

It’s do or die time for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. Baltimore won, now, they need to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Saints.

Well, the Ravens did their part yesterday leaving the Steelers with a must-win game in Week 16. Losing the Saints not only removes them from first place in the AFC North, but puts the pressure on the Browns to beat Baltimore next weekend.

Relying on Cleveland is the last thing this team is looking for. Pittsburgh is not trying to step into the final week of the season banking on the Browns to keep them in the postseason. Instead, they’re looking to keep their hope alive with a win over the Saints.

They won’t do so, though, without these three things.

Get to Drew Brees

In every game T.J. Watt tallied a sack, the Steelers won. It’s no coincidence, Watt is the best pass rusher on the team and when he can cause problems, the team has an upper hand. Doing the same to Drew Brees is going to go a long way in the Saints’ offensive production.

Disrupting the flow of the Saints offense is going to be a determining factor in this game. Playing keep up to the NFC’s best scorers isn’t how you win, especially on the road. Instead, Pittsburgh needs to find ways to get in the backfield and force passes.

They’re dealing with one of the best quarterback of all-time and an offense that is unstoppable when clicking. Not allowing them to find a rhythm will secure a win for this defense and hopefully the game.

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