Steelers beat Saints 20-10 after Watt's comeback.

T.J. Watt felt the usual shock as he exited the tunnel.

Two months on the sidelines while his torn left pectoral muscle mended deprived the Steelers’ standout linebacker of his lifeblood.

Watt took a time to enjoy a moment that appeared far away during his long recuperation, which coincided with his team’s worst start in eight years.

Watt: “You wish you could freeze time.”

Watt can’t control it. The Steelers’ recipe versus New Orleans is more realistic and might fuel a second-half charge.

Kenny Pickett and George Pickens scored 1-yard touchdowns, and Pittsburgh’s reinvigorated defence shut out the Saints late in a 20-10 win that fueled Watt’s conviction the Steelers can still make something of 2022.

“I’m here to make plays and change the game,” “Watt recorded four tackles and a sack. “I’ll keep trying”

Watt is crucial to Pittsburgh’s (3-6) chances down the stretch. The Steelers’ triumph over New Orleans (3-7) resembled their Week 1 shock in Cincinnati, when the defence delivered sacks and turnovers.

Watt fell and things swiftly deteriorated. Pittsburgh’s performance against the Saints seemed regular.

Alex Highsmith’s two sacks gave him 8 1/2 for the season. “His return was thrilling. We know our defences (with him). Just build on it.”

The offence did too. Najee Harris ran for 99 yards and Pickett ran for 51, and Pittsburgh didn’t turn it over. The Steelers are 3-0.

Pickett completed 18 of 30 throws for 199 yards. He also converted a pair of late quarterback sneaks, including a 1-yard plunge with 8:40 to play that gave the Steelers a 10-point lead.

Pickett called it a “good step” “It’s not what we need or want, but it’s a decent start.

The Saints dropped their second consecutive game in the NFC South.

Andy Dalton was 17-for-27 for 174 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Damontae Kazee’s deflection set up Pickett’s touchdown. The second occurred after Dalton was sacked on a fourth-down quarterback sneak.

Dalton is 3-14 versus Pittsburgh in his career. “That’s it. We couldn’t maintain drives, which hurt us scoring.

Saints beat themselves. The defence sacked Pickett six times, but also committed six penalties that gave the Steelers a first down, including a pass interference penalty against Paulson Adebo that set up Pickett’s touchdown. 10 penalties cost New Orleans 74 yards.

Saints coach Dennis Allen declined to say if he was considering bringing back Jameis Winston as quarterback.

New Orleans’ mistakes and a revitalised Pittsburgh running game helped the Steelers keep their defence fresh.

Watt said his legs felt like “wet noodles,” but he wasn’t rusty. Nor did a defence that looked strong even without Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had an appendectomy Saturday.

Kazee, making his first Steelers start, changed the game with his 13th career interception.

Watt’s absence lacked such momentum-shifting plays. Watt’s return has inspired his colleagues.

Kazee added, “TJ’s different.” “He pumped up the audience, everyone was roaring, and I had goosebumps on the field.”

Saints: LT injured Hurst concussed.

LB Myles Jack, Pittsburgh’s top tackler, was injured and didn’t participate.

Next week, the Saints host the Rams.

Welcome to Cincinnati, Steelers.

Steelers beat Saints 20-10 after Watt’s comeback.