Road to the Super Bowl will run through New Orleans after clutch late TD gives the Saints the win

SmashMouth · 12-23-2018, 07:07 PM

The NFC road to the Super Bowl will go through New Orleans.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome exploded into a roar when referee Craig Wrolstead signaled, after a review, that New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas crossed the goal line for a touchdown that gave New Orleans a 31-28 lead with 1:25 remaining.

The Saints forced and recovered a Juju Smith-Schuster fumble on the Steelers ensuing drive, clinching their 13th win of the season and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The game-winning drive was set up by three key plays.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin tried a fake punt on fourth-and-6 from near midfield. The Saints were ready, tackling fullback Ryan Nix, who took a direct snap, shy of the line to gain. Trailing by four with 4:06 remaining, New Orleans took over at the Pittsburgh 46-yard line.

Midway through the drive, the Saints opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 at the two-minute warning rather than attempting a field goal that would have made it a one-point game. Drew Brees’ pass to Thomas fell incomplete, but referees called pass interference on Joe Haden, keeping the drive alive.

Finally, Brees connected with Ted Ginn Jr., active for the first time since Week 4, for a 25-yard gain on third-and-20 to set up the Thomas touchdown.

For a moment, it looked like Week 17 might have some intrigue after all.

Pittsburgh’s brilliant wide receiver Antonio Brown beat Marshon Lattimore’s press coverage with a lightning quick inside move, then raced right on past an attempt at a double team before hauling in a 20-yard touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter.

It was Brown’s second touchdown of the game and 15th of the season, and when he mimicked Teddy Bridgewater’s “Bike Life” dance in the end zone, he did so to celebrate the Steelers' first lead since midway through the first quarter.

For the fourth consecutive game, the Saints went into the fourth quarter trailing on the scoreboard. But, for the third straight week, New Orleans erased that deficit and won the game.

NOLA

12-23-2018, 07:07 PM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,498 Blog Entries: 29	Road to the Super Bowl will run through New Orleans after clutch late TD gives the Saints the win The NFC road to the Super Bowl will go through New Orleans. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome exploded into a roar when referee Craig Wrolstead signaled, after a review, that New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas crossed the goal line for a touchdown that gave New Orleans a 31-28 lead with 1:25 remaining. The Saints forced and recovered a Juju Smith-Schuster fumble on the Steelers ensuing drive, clinching their 13th win of the season and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The game-winning drive was set up by three key plays. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin tried a fake punt on fourth-and-6 from near midfield. The Saints were ready, tackling fullback Ryan Nix, who took a direct snap, shy of the line to gain. Trailing by four with 4:06 remaining, New Orleans took over at the Pittsburgh 46-yard line. Midway through the drive, the Saints opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 at the two-minute warning rather than attempting a field goal that would have made it a one-point game. Drew Brees’ pass to Thomas fell incomplete, but referees called pass interference on Joe Haden, keeping the drive alive. Finally, Brees connected with Ted Ginn Jr., active for the first time since Week 4, for a 25-yard gain on third-and-20 to set up the Thomas touchdown. For a moment, it looked like Week 17 might have some intrigue after all. Pittsburgh’s brilliant wide receiver Antonio Brown beat Marshon Lattimore’s press coverage with a lightning quick inside move, then raced right on past an attempt at a double team before hauling in a 20-yard touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter. It was Brown’s second touchdown of the game and 15th of the season, and when he mimicked Teddy Bridgewater’s “Bike Life” dance in the end zone, he did so to celebrate the Steelers' first lead since midway through the first quarter. For the fourth consecutive game, the Saints went into the fourth quarter trailing on the scoreboard. But, for the third straight week, New Orleans erased that deficit and won the game. NOLA Attached Thumbnails