Saints Secure Home Field Advantage With Win Over Steelers
In the NFC, the road to the Super Bowl goes through New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints secured home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 Sunday afternoon at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Drew Brees hit Michael Thomas with a two yard pass with 1:25 left for the game winner.
Pittsburgh had one last chance, but the Saints forced a fumble with Pittsburgh in field goal range, and Demario Davis recovered to seal the win.
The Saints benefited from a couple of pass interference calls leading to a pair of touchdowns in the first half to take a 14-6 lead. But the Steelers got a touchdown and a two point conversion with 40 seconds left in the half to tie the score.
The Saints then used their hurry up offense to get in field goal range and Wil Lutz nailed a 42 yarder to give New Orleans a 17-14 lead at the half.
New Orleans drove 75 yards with their first possession of the third quarter with Alvin Kamara scoring to give the Saints a 24-14 lead. But the Steelers bounced right back with Ben Roethlisberger hitting Antonio Brown with a short touchdown pass to make the score 24-21.
After a Saints punt, Pittsburgh drove the length of the field with Roethlisberger hitting Brown again to take a 28-24 lead as the teams started the fourth quarter.
After a Saints punt, the Steelers drove into New Orleans territory , but Stevan Ridley fumbled and the Saints recovered at their 35. New Orleans moved into field goal range, but Wil Lutz's 50 yard field goal attempt was blocked. Pittsburgh, however, couldn't move the football and their fake punt failed with 4:06 left and the Saints took over at the Steelers 46. The Saints benefited from another pass interference call and a Brees pass to Thomas with 1:25 left gave the Saints the lead.
The Saints entertain Carolina in the season finale next week.