The Saints offense put forth perhaps the worst performance in team history
as the Steelers won in a rout.  The only Saint points came late in the 4th
quarter during garbage time.  Plenty of credit goes to the Pittsburgh defense,
which was dominant.  The Saints offensive line seemed to thoroughly break
down.  The Saints defense played pretty well, especially considering that
the Steelers often started their drives with good field position.

Note to the Steelers- Running a flea flicker, a reverse, and a RB direct snap
                      after the outcome was decided was both stupid and uncool.

Game description:

The game starts out great for the Saints, with Renaldo Turnbull recovering
a fumble at the Steeler 42 on the second play from scrimmage.  However,
two plays later Rod Woodson returns a pass 63 yards for a touchdown after
Wilson throws behind Derek Brown.

Saints go 3 & punt.

After forcing a Steeler punt, Woodson makes a great play on another Wilson
pass and picks it off at the NO 20.  On the next play, Barry Foster scores
on a screen pass.

Saints go 3 & punt.

The Saints force the Steelers to punt.

Saints go 3 & punt.

Vaughn Johnson sacks O'Donnell on 3rd down to force another Steeler punt.

Saints go 3 & punt.

Keith Taylor intercepts an O'Donnell floater at the NO 47 to give the Saints
offense the ball once again.  Irv Smith catches a ball deep in Steeler 
territory, but fumbles when hit, giving the ball back to Pittsburgh at the 18.

On the strength of Barry Foster's runs, the Steelers drive for a 40 yard FG.

Saints go 3 & punt.

The Steelers cap a drive of only 42 yards with a 1 yard Barry Foster TD.

Saints go 3 & punt.

Although the Saints defense forces another Pittsburgh punt to give the offense
one more chance to score before halftime, the Saints are unable to score.

Recap- So far, the Saints offense has passed the first down marker on only two
occasions: on Smith's catch & fumble, and on the last play of the half.

The second half begins with a pass bouncing out of Brad Muster's hands and into
a Steeler's at the NO 35.  However, the Saints force a Pittsburgh fumble at
the five yardline.  Gene Atkins recovers, and luckily steps out of bounds
before succumbing to "lateral disease" and flinging the ball wildly sideways
into the field of play.

Saints go 3 & punt.

After switching to a different satellite channel (Greg Gumbel has just 
informed the audience that CBS will be going to a "more competitive" game),
the Steelers drive to a 22 yard FG.

Saints go 3 & punt.

After another Steeler drive (for a 29 yard FG), the Saints mount their
first drive of the game and make it to the Pittsburgh 29.  Unfortunately,
Wilson gets sacked and fumbles the ball away to the Steelers.

Mike Tomczak enters the game for the Steelers and heads a drive that ends
with a tipped ball being caught for a 25 yard Pittsburgh TD.

Saints go 3 & punt.

After forcing a Steeler punt, Mike Buck comes in at QB for the Saints
and moves the team down the field with a series of passes to Eric Martin.
Finally, the scoring drought ends when Torrance Small catches a 6 yard TD
pass.

Another Steeler punt is followed by a 63 yard TD pass from Buck to Quinn
Early with 12 seconds remaining.  Mercifully, the game ends.


Earlier this week, I said that the Saints would keep winning as long as
the offense didn't make mistakes.  I still believe that's true.  Other
than the Steeler defense being awesome, I can't explain the collapse
of the Saints offense.  Maybe the bye week broke their rhythm.  Maybe
replacing Jay with Joel (Hilgenberg) and having Irv Smith in there instead
of Hoby Brenner threw the line off.  Hopefully, all that ugliness is out of
their system for good.  The best thing about this game is that it only 
counts once in the L column.


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Frank Serpas III