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Saint defense saved win over Steelers and has not allowed points in last 4 fourth periods

If it comes down to New Orleans winning or saving a game in the playoffs, safety Vonn Bell says the Saints will be ready.

NEW ORLEANS — Quarterback Drew Brees and the offense converted a fourth and two and third and two in the Saints' game-winning drive that beat Pittsburgh, 31-28, Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the NFC No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

But it was the defense that saved the game. 

MORE: All NFC Playoff roads go through New Orleans

That game-winning drive, by the way, was only 46 yards because linebacker Craig Robertson stopped Pittsburgh fullback Roosevelt Nix on a fake punt one yard short of the first down on fourth and five from the Steelers' 42.

Just before that, on second and five from the Pittsburgh 42, Saints linebacker Demario Davis sacked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a 9-yard loss, bringing on the punt.

And on the Steelers' final drive after the Saints went up 31-28, Davis recovered a fumble by wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster forced by defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins after an 8-yard gain. And that did it.  

“The defense was on the field and we knew we needed to get a stop," Davis said. "The offense had just led a great job to put us in position for us to win the game. We knew that we just needed to prevent a field goal.

"It was just one of those situations where 11 guys on the field saw him catch the ball. Our guys hunted him, and right before he went to down somebody stripped it. I was right there and saw the ball come out. We knew we needed to jump on the ball and put the game away.

"In this league," he added, "that (forcing fumbles) is the trump card. It put us in a position to win.”

The Steelers out-gained the Saints, 429 to 370, as Roethlisberger completed 33 of 50 passes for 380 yards.

"It’s not always pretty. They were able to convert some third downs, but we were able to get the turnovers," Davis said.

"We’re playing as a team right now," said Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who had trouble with Steeler wide receiver Antonio Brown, who caught 14 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown, though, caught just four passes for 44 yards and no touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

"At the beginning of the season, it was all offense," Lattimore said. "Now, we are playing hard as a defense. I can’t wait for the playoffs."

That will not be until the weekend of Jan. 6 as the Saints (13-2) end the regular season at home Sunday at noon in the Superdome against Carolina (6-9) in a meaningless game for the standings. Then the Saints are off the next week as they receive a bye during the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

If it comes down to New Orleans winning or saving a game in the playoffs, safety Vonn Bell says the Saints will be ready.

"That’s what we talk about. We want the game on our shoulders," said Bell, who had a game-high 10 tackles. "We relish that moment. Week in and week out, we prepare for that situation. We just have to be at our best in that situation. We tell the team to just put it on us. It’s special. We aren’t just doing it for us. We are doing it for our city.

"We went out there and made plays. We went out there and competed, and we never stopped fighting. That’s what I love about this group. We are happy with the win, but we just have to keep getting better."

Pittsburgh was the Saints' fourth straight opponent offense that did not score in the fourth quarter. 

"Championship teams find a way to win however they can," said Saints defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, who had a sack. "You win blowouts. You win games with offense, and you win games with defense. When the games are close, you find a way to win. I think that says a lot about our team and the grit that we have.

"We have playmakers all across the field. When it’s time to make a play, you know someone is going to step up no matter who it is. We have a number of people who can do it. Somebody is going to step up.

"This wasn't the first time that it has happened," he added, "and hopefully not the last.”

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