Steelers fans haven't breathed since seeing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger smack his hand off the shoulder pad of an incoming Saints defender. Roethlisberger winced, and appeared to be in considerable pain after it, a great throw to Antonio Brown to convert a third down conversion.
Roethlisberger handed off on the team's next six plays with Roethlisberger using his opposite hand. He completed a short pass to Lance Moore down the right side and Roethlisberger didn't look comfortable with it.
Le'Veon Bell topped 1,000 yards on the season during the stretch of plays after Roethlisberger was injured, and is running all over an overwhelmed Saints' run defense, but without the threat of a pass, it would seem the Saints will eventually crowd the box and force the Steelers to put the ball in the air.
Roethlisberger hadn't looked sharp in the 10 throws he had before the completion to Brown. The Steelers' running game looks efficient, having taken a 3-0 lead after each team had two drives.
Back-up QB Bruce Gradkowski was warming up on the sideline, but it doesn't appear Roethlisberger is set to leave the game.