Early in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game in the Superdome, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like they were about to take control. In fact, officials said Antwaan Randle El had caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger.
But New Orleans coach Sean Payton challenged the call and replays showed cornerback Leigh Torrence, playing because of a slew of injuries in the defensive backfield, had brought Randle El down before the goal line.
The Steelers were given possession just inches from the end zone. The Saints, who previously weren’t known as a shutdown defense, made a goal-line stand. The Steelers ran three plays, but couldn’t get into the end zone as Sedrick Ellis, Jeff Charleston, Scott Shanle and Roman Harper each made plays to stop the three runs.
The Steelers were forced to kick a field goal and didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter, when the Saints already had the lead.