This is a great spot for the Steelers to truly see what they have over the latter half of the season. The Saints visit off a short week with a ton of injuries. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will be rested coming out of the bye with T.J. Watt activated, though Minkah Fitzpatrick has been ruled out. The real change for the Steelers, though, should be Jaylen Warren taking carries from Najee Harris. That will not only help Pittsburgh extend possessions, it will take less pressure off Kenny Pickett, who has a chance to flash given two weeks to prepare for New Orleans. We've lost a point of value here, but it's no issue getting a good straight-up opportunity.

The Saints are decimated by injuries and traveling off a short week, while the Steelers had a bye and should have T.J. Watt back to rush the passer. New Orleans won't have center Erik McCoy or left guard Andrus Peat to combat that pressure. In fact, the Saints might start an undrafted rookie for Peat. New Orleans' top pass rusher, Marcus Davenport, is questionable. Mike Tomlin's Steelers are 11-4 coming out of a bye, including five straight wins. Look for an energized Pittsburgh offense that includes an expanded role for RB Jaylen Warren.

The Steelers come off their bye looking for a reset after losing five of their last six games, and what better way to signal that than the return of one of the NFL's premier pass rushers, T.J. Watt. He gives Pittsburgh a much better chance of slowing down a Saints offense that finally hit a speed bump last week, and New Orleans playing on Monday gives Pittsburgh a great rest advantage here. The Steelers have also had a brutal schedule to date, both in terms of opponents and home/away, while the Saints have played just three road games. If Kenny Pickett takes a step forward coming out of the bye, Pittsburgh could surprise, and I think the Saints struggle to show up in this cold-weather spot.

Short week for the banged-up Saints while the Steelers are off the bye and will get back two key defensive players in 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt and safety Damontae Kazee. In the one game Watt has played this year, Pittsburgh had seven sacks. Only eight since. Mike Tomlin has been cash money in his career as a home dog.