Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' result, along with sharing a few related thoughts.
For a full preview of this matchup with the Saints, check my Kickoff.
Chris Halicke (3-5): If there was ever an opportunity for the Steelers to put together a solid game -- coming off a bye, facing a beaten-up team on a short week -- it's this one. Yes, I believe T.J. Watt's return will have that big of an impact. So will Damontae Kazee's role in the secondary, giving the Steelers versatility they haven't had yet this season and a better option to replace Minkah Fitzpatrick as he recovers from appendicitis. A better defensive performance will give the offense more time to establish the run and keep the playbook from being limited. And, man, does this offense need to finally figure things out and get the ball in the end zone. This won't be some emphatic, statement win, but any win is a sight for sore eyes. Steelers, 23-17
Matt Williamson (2-6): I'm taking the Steelers in this game. The Saints have been the most injured team in the league this year to date and then lost some key pieces on Monday night, a game they looked terrible in against the Ravens. Coupling that with Watt's return as well as the Steelers being as healthy as they have since the start of the season, I think this is a bad recipe for the road team. Plus, Tomlin totally has the book on Andy Dalton. Steelers, 24-20
Ramon Foster (3-5): T.J.'s back. Based off that, we get a W. I'm just going to throw that out there. The Saints do have some components. Alvin Kamara is a bad man, when it comes to passing and running the ball. But, I've got the Steelers winning. This weekend, we score points. Steelers, 24-17
Dejan Kovacevic (2-6): I've got the Steelers, which should terrify everybody given my season's prediction record to date. But I can't put them over the 20-point threshold. I just can't. Unless we start counting into the equation defensive points and things like that, which I obviously can't rule out with T.J. and Cam Heyward out there -- and Dalton on the other side. Steelers, 19-18
Let's have your picks in the comments!