The optimism wasn't very high among Saints fans on Sunday morning knowing that the 4-7 New Orleans Saints had to play at 7-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints have struggled this season and they entered Heinz Field on Sunday having won only one road game in 2014. However, I'm starting to think that we should just listen to "BewareofDog" who warned us that Payton and Co. had a few more tricks up their sleeve.
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Minutes Before the Game
The day started with a bit of a controversial media storm. Dare I say that...ahem, some members of this very blog would have agreed with Rapoport before the game?
Drew Brees is 35 years old & #Saints have seen arm strength wane. He’s not big like Brady or Manning. #Saints must be prepared for the end
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 30, 2014
So while I was watching @Everton Saints A: want 45th D coordinator under Payton B: want a new QB b/c Brees is old 2014 is all blowed up
— Ralph Malbrough (@SaintsForecast) November 30, 2014
The #Saints talk on my TL is not happy. Ugh. Come on y'all. It ain't over. We need a win today. Dats all we need to be talkin about! #WhoDat
— Mary B. Sonnier (@ChefMarySonnier) November 30, 2014
"@Louisianalady9: @Lsuwhodatgrl88 "Sources""Suuuure!! Lol #WhoDat
— Jan W. Thomas (@Lsuwhodatgrl88) November 30, 2014
WHOOOOOO DAAAAATTTTTTT LETSSSSS GEAUXXXXX
— ashley ∞ (@ashl0vely) November 30, 2014
Game time! Let's geauxxx! #WhoDat
— Lindy (@lindyla9) November 30, 2014
Let's go @Saints !!!!!!
— Finish Strong Saints (@HouseOfShanel) November 30, 2014
#Saints win toss and defer. #Steelers have the ball and here we go ...
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 30, 2014
Watching my first saints game @Saints pic.twitter.com/fGE9bFZBaC
— Carolina Avila (@carolinavila15) November 30, 2014
Tradition
Selfie Sunday bitches! #SelfieSunday #SexiestFaces #Scorpio #HeadOfState #Louisiana pic.twitter.com/10zRFeqDO2
— ♕MaKayla Givens♕ (@OhhmyKayla) November 30, 2014
***
Oh No, Here We Go Again
New Orleans started the game slowly, allowing long drives to the Steelers, while the offense was going three and out twice. In the process, Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson was dropping interceptions like they were hot potatoes.
Alright #Saints lets quit screwing around and lets get this! #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/NivZdOkQ1e
— Ricky Tiernan (@RickyT105) November 30, 2014
Leveon Bell can run us over all day if Saints don't anything to stop him.... Smh
— WHO DAT Cool Breesy (@Steve2duhO) November 30, 2014
Same ole D! Love Rob Ryan but his days are numbered in NOLA. Let's go D! Prove me wrong PLEASE!
— Greg Binns (@Madisondrewfan) November 30, 2014
There was a lot of grunting.
"@RHancock19: Vikings 14 Panthers 0" NFC South death spiral continues uninterrupted. It's not football anymore, it's Art
— Ralph Malbrough (@SaintsForecast) November 30, 2014
If #Saints', Panthers' deficits hold up, it would put pressure on Falcons to lose at 3 p.m. and keep pace.
— Les East (@EastAdvocate) November 30, 2014
And the pressure continues
— CaboWaboDude (@Chad_LeDoux) November 30, 2014
Here comes 3rd and automatic
— Saints Nation Blog (@SaintsNationBlg) November 30, 2014
Le'Veon Bell already has 70 rushing yards. 11 carries. There's still time in the first quarter.
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) November 30, 2014
Bell is on pace for 280 yards.
— Nick Underhill (@UnderhillAdv) November 30, 2014
The struggle is real #WhoDat
— Jan W. Thomas (@Lsuwhodatgrl88) November 30, 2014
This says it all. #NOvsPIT Saints offense is doing nothing. pic.twitter.com/9iUpdVe8fB
— Lyons Yellin WWL-TV (@LyonsYellin) November 30, 2014
"@BornInBlues: The #Saints defense would be All-World if third down didn't exist." Let's move SAINTS TO CANADA!
— Ralph Malbrough (@SaintsForecast) November 30, 2014
@SaintsForecast @BornInBlues or if the DB'S didn't have skillets for hands
— Baron Von Keyser (@BaronVonKeyser) November 30, 2014
There was even some swearing...in French.
Cette O Line de merde sérieux.
— Loïc (@CajunAFC) November 30, 2014
***
Wait...What? On the Road?
Looking listless and overmatched, the Saints suddenly remembered that Pittsburgh's secondary wasn't exactly the best in the world. Trailing 6-0, New Orleans woke up and scored the next 14 points.
#Saints with 3rd-and-short stop. Roethlisberger overshot Bell downfield. Roethlisberger has been off-target, only thing keeping Saint in it
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 30, 2014
Saints started this drive at their own 21 - matches BEST starting field position in last 25 drives, going back to second half of SF game.
— Lenny Vangilder (@LennyVangilder) November 30, 2014
Initiate ANGRY INGRAM LAUNCH SEQUENCE
— Ralph Malbrough (@SaintsForecast) November 30, 2014
The Saints are marching y'all!!! Praise the Lort!
— Pheebs (@DatGirlPheebs) November 30, 2014
#FeedIngram !!!
— Who Dat Séan (@boland_sean) November 30, 2014
Tote that bih Ingram!!!!
— Egg Nog Daq Gizzle™ (@jay_gizzle) November 30, 2014
we rollin #whodat
— Thomas-Who Dat Italy (@whodatviola) November 30, 2014
Ben Watson TD. Wide open.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 30, 2014
Momentum
— Down D By U! (@Wunstell) November 30, 2014
Amazing how the #Saints seemingly had no momentum and have taken the lead.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 30, 2014
Leading 7-6, the Saints would get their first interception in a long while by safety Kenny Vaccaro.
My boy Kenny Vaccaro with the pick! #NOvsPIT
— WHO DAT Cool Breesy (@Steve2duhO) November 30, 2014
Yesss Kenny Yessssss!!!
— Gin U Wine (@DustyDatGirl) November 30, 2014
Kenny's gonna lead the upset!
— Magyver (@SaintsTailgate) November 30, 2014
Kenny V!!!! Way for someone to step up and make a play!!!
— Bryant (@bwombat24) November 30, 2014
#Saints defense first INT in last 112 passing attempts
— Kristian Garic (@KristianGaric1) November 30, 2014
Another 3rd and 5 and Brees hits Stills down the field! Two minute warning and the Saints are at the Steelers 21
— Saints Updates (@SaintsMSU) November 30, 2014
"Kenny Steels"
— Reid (@ReidG75) November 30, 2014
Ok! @Saints have come to play!! #GeauxSaints!!! #WHODAT
— Mary B. Sonnier (@ChefMarySonnier) November 30, 2014
Touchdown yyyyyyyeeeeeeeesssssssss
— The Mad Who Datter (@LetkeDavid) November 30, 2014
And #Saints capitalized on the turnover...finally
— Gene Higginbotham (@G_Higg) November 30, 2014
Leading 14-6, the Saints defense, as it's accustomed to doing, let the Steelers get in field goal range with very little time left. Luckily, Pittsburgh missed. THEY MISSED!
1st missed FG by an opponent against the Saints this year
— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) November 30, 2014
Finally a miss vs. Saints. First all year
— Doug Mouton (@DMoutonWWL) November 30, 2014
HOLY SHIT SOMEONE MISSED A FIELD GOAL AGAINST US
— Matthew (@GeauxDucks) November 30, 2014
Haha
— WhoDat23 (@Nikasword) November 30, 2014
Ha Ha
— Down D By U! (@Wunstell) November 30, 2014
Miss Rachel's voodoo working overtime in Pittsburgh. Never trust anyone who drinks trash aka Pepsi.
— HATIN ASS RYNE (@RHancock19) November 30, 2014
Solid first half on both sides of the ball. Keep the heat on!! #WhoDatNation
— Sean Taz Williams (@drewsdad3721) November 30, 2014
Playing hot potato and roulette but it's a lead for the good guys... Keep pounding the rock
— deuce mcallister (@dmcallister26) November 30, 2014
Gotta fix me another drink.
— Allen Keller (@AllenK_81) November 30, 2014
Cool Brees. 2 TDs. @Saints lead. #NOvsPIT pic.twitter.com/YLqcFaHIko
— NFL (@nfl) November 30, 2014
***
Can You Keep This Up?
Ball tipped at the line. Saints go three and out.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 30, 2014
#Saints' Brees pass tipped at line. Not a great start to second half as they line up to punt
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 30, 2014
Dave and our Who Dat Girl Leaux were on top of things:
"@Steve2duhO: How the hell Saints have 15-6? it supposed to be 14-6!"I just noticed that too lmao they changed it back
— l e a u x (@leaux25) November 30, 2014
The FOX broadcast had the score as 15-6 for the Saints. They've corrected it.
— Canal St. Chronicles (@SaintsCSC) November 30, 2014
The refs were not.
#Saints have to re-punt because officials weren't lined up properly. Don't see that every day.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 30, 2014
Well that's a call I've never heard..
— Saints Updates (@SaintsMSU) November 30, 2014
Zebras heads in asses, rekick. Lol
— Alli Marie (@alleyofsin) November 30, 2014
And then it happened!
INTERCEPTION CAMERON JORDAN
— Loïc (@CajunAFC) November 30, 2014
LMAOOOOO. WOW BRUH!
— Egg Nog Daq Gizzle™ (@jay_gizzle) November 30, 2014
clap Clap CLAP !!!
— ⚜deb⚜ (@dsaintsgal) November 30, 2014
Oh hi defense. Where the FUCK you been?
— LynndeeLoo WhoDat (@lindeeloo_who) November 30, 2014
And then another, even more unlikely thing happened!
TOOOOOOOOONNNNNN!!!!#WHODAT
— Saint jelleh (@Who_Dat_Jelleh) November 30, 2014
Whoa Nick Toon is a real person who is on the Saints' 2014 roster after all.
— Jacob J Mayer (@jacobjmayer) November 30, 2014
TOUCHDOWN!!!
— SaintsUK (@UKSaints) November 30, 2014
U know it's the Saints day.. Finally WR. Nick Toon with a big catch for Saints. If TD , it would be Toon's first in NFL.
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) November 30, 2014
Another turnover turned into a touchdown. Play is being reviewed, though.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 30, 2014
TD stands
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 30, 2014
Two INTs, random offensive players scoring TDs. I'm so confused.
— Hollis (@HollisLynn87) November 30, 2014
***
Make Love, Not War
A 21-6 lead looked great, but the 2014 Saints aren't interested in making your life easy. New Orleans quickly allowed Pittsburgh to march down the field for a TD of their own, triggering the ire of Saints head coach Sean Payton towards his defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and pretty much anyone who stood near him on the sideline.
td steelers
— Thomas-Who Dat Italy (@whodatviola) November 30, 2014
Échanges de mots doux entre Sean Payton et Rob Ryan.. https://t.co/sLucOCPLkq
— Saints France (@SaintsFrance) November 30, 2014
My 9 year old just informed me he is waiting for this to all fall apart. This has now gone cross generational.
— Saints & Stuff (@BourbonAndBeer) November 30, 2014
Payton and Rob Ryan are conversing. And Payton is yelling at Ryan this time.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) November 30, 2014
Hmm #coachwars on the sideline. Peyton and the fatman having a rather loud discussion there lol
— Sue D (@Whodatshewolf) November 30, 2014
Wow. Payton and Ryan yelling at each other on the sideline. I hate when mom and dad fight.
— Canal St. Chronicles (@SaintsCSC) November 30, 2014
This clip we just witnessed will be played endlessly this week when we talk about how much Sean Payton and Rob Ryan hate each other -_-
— T-Bob Hebert (@TBob53) November 30, 2014
I think Ryan is mad because Payton gave back his half of the BFF necklace.
— Cajun Peach (@WhoDatLinds) November 30, 2014
As always, Ralph put things in perspective like pretty much no one else on earth can.
Come on people it's 2014 Saints, did you think this would be easy? This win is gonna be like passing a kidney stone without pain meds
— Ralph Malbrough (@SaintsForecast) November 30, 2014
***
Hanging In There
Leading 21-13, there was no quit in the Saints offense on Sunday. the Saints once again drove down the field for a touchdown, another big reception by WR Kenny Stills
Now Payton is barking at Greg McMahon after that hold on the KO return. He's seeing the momentum swing here & is trying to light a charge.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 30, 2014
Kenny Stills says hello to the people Pittsburgh. http://t.co/wPDjQyoxog
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) November 30, 2014
TD @Saints !!! 69 yard bomb from Brees to Stills. What a play. Stadium was rocking. Clutch. going to be 28-13 NOS
— Sean Kelley (@SeanKelleyLive) November 30, 2014
The Steelers were sick of seeing Stills.
welp. RT @rebeccaleigh423: #SteelerNation right now.. pic.twitter.com/NnO5SRXRAu
— C.D. Carter (@CDCarter13) November 30, 2014
***
Sealing the Deal...Kinda
After a Steelers field goal made the score 28-16, New Orleans again drove down the field for a touchdown, this time by all-time Saints reception leader WR Marques Colston.
TD on the way Steelers #WhoDats
— Harold Darling (@highstickharry) November 30, 2014
— LJ (Saints 5-7) (@_LJ1017) November 30, 2014
Good for you, Colston. #Saints
— Les East (@EastAdvocate) November 30, 2014
Touchdown bitchessssss
— ✨Haitian Whodat✨ (@magalie_hunter) November 30, 2014
Saints 35, Steelers 16. 10:25 to play
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 30, 2014
***
Yeah...Kinda
In the last 10:25, the Saints defense would allow two touchdowns and two point conversions to the Steelers to make the game a tab bit more stressful and the score look more respectable. But a win is a win is a win.
@BornInBlues loving this awesome game. Defense seems to finally working together. Big 180 compared to last 4 games!
— Lady M~ (@Mae_luv48) November 30, 2014
"@ScottWalker6: Sean Payton/Rob Ryan love after a fist bump. pic.twitter.com/UVx9PX1RCS"
— ✨Haitian Whodat✨ (@magalie_hunter) November 30, 2014
From bad to good for Ryan and Payton #Whycantwebefriends pic.twitter.com/BNStsR1u9p
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefIshaq) November 30, 2014
#bromance #operationsaverob #WHODAT #NOvPIT pic.twitter.com/xnPQLh98zy
— Rob Ryan's Hair (@RobRyansHair1) November 30, 2014
Rob Ryan and Sean Payton's relationship status on Facebook: It's complicated.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) November 30, 2014
Mood: pic.twitter.com/dYD6ziUnI9
— Gouxnie Goux Goux (@SheSeauxSaditty) November 30, 2014
***
A Win At Last
The Saints eventually did win, 35-32. Guess what, we'll take it. Bring on the Panthers next week in the Dome. Although the Saints have now won two in a row on the road and lost three at home. Go figure!
Suddenly the team that "can't win on the road" has a road winning streak. Now they can't win at home.
— Michelle (@Halomich2) November 30, 2014
The @Saints fans going off
— Die Hard Saints Fan (@SexySaintsFan28) November 30, 2014
I hear the WhoDats up in Pittsburgh! lol. #WHODAT!!!!!!!!!
— Lynda Woolard (@LyndaWoolard) November 30, 2014
You mad, brah? #Saints #WhoDat! pic.twitter.com/10JUqSZoIF
— julie. (@juleegrl) November 30, 2014
Saints win 35-32
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 30, 2014
Whodat Whodat Whodat say dey they gonna beat dem @Saints !!! Said NOone TODAY!! I'm a proud member of the #WhoDatNation ♠️
— DESchiffers (@deschiffers) November 30, 2014
— Robin Schooling (@RobinSchooling) November 30, 2014