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After a big completion to Vance McDonald to end the first quarter, the Steelers were in field goal range to start the second.
The Steelers found their answer to the Saints’ score it with a 49-yard catch and run by Vance McDonald to move the offense into the red-zone for the first time of the afternoon. However, the NFL’s best red-zone offense stalled and had to rely on another Boswell field goal to make the score 7-6 with 14:05 left in the first half.
The controversy continued on the Saints’ next drive, and it was in the form of another Defensive Pass Interference call — this time on Morgan Burnett. With Burnett in good position on tight end Ben Watson, another phantom flag put the Saints in the red-zone. Two plays later Alvin Kamara walked into the endzone to give the Saints a 14-6 lead.
After a series of punts by both teams, the Steelers were able to put together a nice drive starting at their own 3-yard line which was capped off with an easy pitch-and-catch from Roethlisberger to Jaylen Samuels to make the score 14-12. The Steelers went for the two, and Roethlisberger connected with Eli Rogers to make the score 14-14 with 40 seconds left in the half.
Right when Steelers’ faithful thought the Saints would just head into halftime with a tie score, Brees moved the ball quickly into field goal range after a big catch and run by Alvin Kamara. The 43-yard field goal was good, making the score 17-14 heading into halftime.