Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) at New Orleans Saints (4-3)

• Non

  

  
  
  
  
  
  Last two Super Bowl champs.
  
  Saints sure didn't look like it against Cleveland but Halloween night in the Superdome should be a wild scene. A chance for Drew Brees and company to rebound with a statement win.
  
  Steelers are tied for the best record in the NFL but they may be without veteran defensive end Aaron Smith for the remainder of the season.
• killer_ewok

  

  I originally thought the Steelers would win this game when the schedule was released but I also thought the Saints would have a much better record at this point too. They're reeling a bit and will definitely be looking to get back on track and, as you said, "make a statement" against a 5-1 team.
  
  No Aaron Smith is a real bummer too.
• bigdaddy2003

  

  I figured Steelers at first but that is what is funny about the NFL. The Saints lose to the Browns and then end up beating the Steelers this weekend so I went with NO.
• wes_mantooth

  

  I really think this will be a great game, but the more I think about it, the more I think the Steelers will win. Seems like this is just not the Saints year. Saints do need a "statement" game, but I just think that the Steelers are the better team...even without Smith.
• I Wear Pants

  This will be fun to watch.
• justincredible

  

  I'm taking the Saints in this one.
• Puddle Jumper

  

  Saints returned to the aints or taints this year.
  They suck again!!!
• ytownfootball

  

  All things being equal, I would have had this game a toss up. The Browns pistol whipping the Saints at home has to have left a nice brown bacon strip and stench of shit across the backs of the Saints as they look to get the license plate of the truck that ran their ass over. The Steelers losing Smith is a tough knock, it may actually affect them as much as losing Troy last season. Add a little come back Karma to the Steelers for their refereeing gift with Ben's fumble and there's definitely good reason to take the Saints this week.
• outdoorsman

  Saints will come to this game as if the entire year depends on it. Could be a very hard fought game. To me this is a statement game for them. This game may define their season. I like the Steelers in yet another close one. Ben is HUGE at winning games late.
• outdoorsman

  " pistol whipping".....laffin. Qb has 74 yards passing and Hillis has 70 some yards. It was a fluke win, but a damn fun one to see.
• Laley23

  

  Saints because its at home on Halloween. And its the NFL.
• Ironman92

  

  Everything seems against the Steelers in this one.....but the Steelers ususally rise in this situation
  
  NO 27
  Steelers 20
  
  OR
  
  Steelers 34
  Saints 17
• Laley23

  

  outdoorsman;532554 wrote:" pistol whipping".....laffin. Qb has 74 yards passing and Hillis has 70 some yards. It was a fluke win, but a damn fun one to see.

  
  Hey, the Bears rode that philosophy to the SB in 2006.
• ytownfootball

  

  outdoorsman;532554 wrote:" pistol whipping".....laffin. Qb has 74 yards passing and Hillis has 70 some yards. It was a fluke win, but a damn fun one to see.

  
  Yeah, well, Ryan had the Saints dialed with the defensive gameplan, 4 picks don't happen by themselves. I don't see Breesy throwing 4 in one game anytime again soon. He'll be out to prove the Browns game was a fluke.
• outdoorsman

  Laley23;532564 wrote:Hey, the Bears rode that philosophy to the SB in 2006.

  Aint the same apples, but nice come back.
• outdoorsman

  ytownfootball;532580 wrote:Yeah, well, Ryan had the Saints dialed with the defensive gameplan, 4 picks don't happen by themselves. I don't see Breesy throwing 4 in one game anytime again soon. He'll be out to prove the Browns game was a fluke.

  
  The Browns defense is pretty good. The offense will be a concern. I will say this is the first time, in a long time, I think the Browns could be heading in the right direction.
• bigdaddy2003

  

  outdoorsman;532703 wrote:The Browns defense is pretty good. The offense will be a concern. I will say this is the first time, in a long time, I think the Browns could be heading in the right direction.

  
  I concur.
• wes_mantooth

  

  outdoorsman;532703 wrote:The Browns defense is pretty good. The offense will be a concern. I will say this is the first time, in a long time, I think the Browns could be heading in the right direction.

  
  Tough to say, the front office needs to put together a couple of nice drafts first.
• outdoorsman

  wes_mantooth;532720 wrote:Tough to say, the front office needs to put together a couple of nice drafts first.

  
  I agree and think they finally have the right person giving them direction.
• ytownfootball

  

  wes_mantooth;532720 wrote:Tough to say, the front office needs to put together a couple of nice drafts first.

  
  Need to get younger all across the roster, but yeah, there are some gaping voids.
  
  I would pick the Saints this week, but I92 has a point too. The Steelers seem to pull out some that they're not supposed to.
• outdoorsman

  ytownfootball;532735 wrote:I would pick the Saints this week, but I92 has a point too. The Steelers seem to pull out some that they're not supposed to.

  Its Ben. He is at his best when the game is on the line.
  
  Could be a great game. Saints have to feel a sense of desperation.
• Art Modell

  

  This is the 1st of 3 primetime games in a row for the Steelers. They usually perform well on the big stage.
• Non

  

  Good news from the Mike Tomlin press conference.
  
  Smith will be out "an extended period of time" but won't be placed on injured reserve. They'll leave the door open for him to possibly return late in the year.
• killer_ewok

  

  Good news.
• Non

  

  I think if it was a major tear he would be out at least four months maybe more.
  
  It was a partial tear. Tomlin didn't give a timetable but heck even if he missed the remainder of the regular season and the Steelers are able to make the playoffs, they still would be a better team in January with him available.