One way to get over a tough loss in the NFL is to forget about it and move on. On Sunday, that’s just what the Saints did in a 31-14 victory in Tampa Bay that was all but over in the first quarter. Drew Brees lit up the Bucs’ aging defense with 314 yards passing and 3 touchdowns in a game that was rookie wide receiver Marques Colston’s coming out party. Colston made Joe Horn’s absence on the field irrelevant in the outcome tallying 11 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown on the day. Will the Saints’ aerial attack be as successful against a banged up Pittsburgh Steeler team who has not been the same since Super Bowl XL in Detroit?

Saints Quarterback vs. Steelers Defense: Drew Brees will have to step it up another notch against a well oiled Steelers’ Defense. They are at the top of the pack in all major categories in the NFL so being conservative and spreading the ball around in the passing game like this past Sunday would not be such a bad idea against Bill Cower’s defense. Advantage: Saints

Saints Running Backs vs. Steelers Linebackers: Banged up or not, the Steelers are allowing only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt this season. Joey Porter leads the charge at linebacker for Pittsburgh and is a dual threat against the run or pass. He’s definitely not afraid to lay a hat on anybody and tell them about it either, so any successful running game from Deuce will be nullified on Sunday. Advantage: Steelers

Saints Wide Receivers vs. Steelers Secondary: There is just something about the return of Devery Henderson to the lineup that makes this offense more explosive. More receivers means more targets for Drew Brees and that means the safeties will have to stay honest and in coverage for the majority of this contest. Troy Polamalu will still be a factor but he will have to play over the top to insure a big play is not given up on Sunday. Advantage: Saints

Saints Offensive Line vs. Steelers Defensive Line: Bill Cower has always had a fierce front seven as coach of the Steelers. They will provide a formidable adversary for the Saints’ O-Line stopping the run, but won’t create that much havoc on passing downs. Advantage: Push

Saints Defense vs. Steelers Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger should be sitting but Cower insists on letting him play through his slump which will continue on Sunday. You cannot throw like Roethlisberger has been throwing this season, leading the league in interceptions, and expect to win. What ever happen to the poise of this Super Bowl winning quarterback? If the Roethlisberger of 2005 showed up, the Saints would be in big trouble but this ’06 model won’t even leave on the lot on Sunday. Advantage: Saints

Saints Linebackers vs. Steelers Running Backs: Willie Parker doesn’t seem as agile and fast a back without Jerome Bettis busting up the middle of defenses on 1^st and 2^nd downs. Sure, if he gets to the outside it could spell trouble for New Orleans but I don’t think Pittsburgh will run it enough for Parker to be a major factor. Advantage: Saints

Saints Secondary vs. Steelers Wide Receivers: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, “New Orleans biggest weakness is the big play.” They are 3^rd to last in the league in plays given up over 40 yards with 8. I’ve got two words for the Saints Secondary: Hines Ward. With receptions of 63 and 70 yards already at the midpoint of the season, Mike McKenzie has his work cut out for him. Oh yeah, that other receiver Santonio Holmes can take it the distance too. Advantage: Steelers

Saints Defensive Line vs. Steelers Offensive Line: Roethlisberger won’t be on his back all day, but the rush will cause him to make some mistakes. One thing you can’t do in the NFL and that is fix an Offensive Line in one week. Advantage: Saints

Saints Special Teams vs. Steelers Special Teams: Jeff Reed will have to be solid to keep the Steelers close on Sunday, while John Carney will have to do the same to keep the game out of reach. On the flip side, Santonio Holmes can break a game open with a big return. Michael Lewis is not back to Michael Lewis statue yet. Advantage: Steelers

X-Factor: There is no more Jerome Bettis, so the ability to bruise an opponent with the run is gone. Without that, the ability to run playaction or pick apart a defense with 8 men in the box is gone. There is no more Antwaan Randle El, so the possibilities of gadget plays will diminish greatly. Ben Roethlisberger and he alone will have to put points on the board with his instincts and his arm. If the Saints can rattle him, which they will, the game is theirs. New Orleans leads throughout and wins by a touchdown.