Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) works against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in New Orleans. (Butch Dill/AP Photo)
NEW ORLEANS -- So that's what the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense looks like.
After weeks of injuries, a player suspension and spotty preseason football from the reserves, the Steelers walked their stars onto the Mercedes-Benz Superdome field and dissected the New Orleans Saints' defense as if it was routine, like lunch or a nap, in a 27-14 win on Friday night.
These were not routine numbers, preseason or not: 12-of-17, 148 yards, two touchdowns on two drives for Ben Roethlisberger in his first action of the preseason.
Roethlisberger connected with six different playmakers on his first eight completions, including a 5-yard score to Jesse James off a scramble to cap a smooth 15-play, 74-yard drive.
Nothing like the Saints' defense to boost morale -- Landry Jones tore it up, too, completing 12 of his first 15 passes for 116 yards and a score -- but the performance was impressive, and much needed.
The Steelers are at their best when in the no-huddle offense like on that first drive, Roethlisberger said. In that set, Roethlisberger calls plays from the line of scrimmage along with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
"I think our base offense is going to be uptempo," Roethlisberger said.
Le'Veon Bell was a tease, because he looked explosive coming off knee surgery, and now he's out until late September because of the three-game suspension for missed drug tests. His ability as a receiver (five catches, 37 yards) reminds that he can help offset the losses of tight end Ladarius Green (ankle) and Martavis Bryant (suspended). Save his second-quarter fumble on 3rd-and-18 -- and he rarely fumbles -- Bell looked excellent.
Bell, who split snaps with DeAngelo Williams and played well into the second half, said he felt he showed he was back.
"Get hit, get tackled, go to the ground a couple of times, shake the rust off a little bit -- it felt good," Bell said. "I definitely still felt a little rusty."
And don't sleep on this fact: Roethlisberger threw to new slot receiver Eli Rogerson four of his first 14 attempts. It's obvious that he trusts Rogers, who finished with two catches for 17 yards.
There were no questions that the Steelers would have a potent offense in 2016. But as Roethlisberger's 57-yard teardrop to Antonio Brown for a touchdown reminds, this group is good enough to thrive despite a few moving parts.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs against New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (25) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in New Orleans. (Butch Dill/AP Photo)
QB depth chart: Roethlisberger left the game after two series and Jones deftly took over, hitting a streaking Markus Wheaton for a 36-yard play and finding Sammie Coates in the corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown. Coates and Jones connecting is a positive sign after they struggled to connect a week ago, resulting in two interceptions. Jones looked much improved playing alongside some of the starters, which is to be expected, but that doesn't erase the four interceptions from the previous week.
Maybe that dude could start: James looked right at home with the first-team offense, catching three passes for 23 yards and a score. James isn't a downfield burner, but he has sure hands and is a huge target at 6-foot-6. His run blocking appears adequate most of the time. If Green is out awhile, James showed Friday that he can at least keep the position afloat.
Who got hurt?: Defensive end Cam Heyward (ankle) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (elbow) both left the game and didn't return. Heyward was carted off, and Gilbert threw his helmet after his last play in the game. They are being evaluated. These are very important players whose injuries will be monitored closely. Safety Shamarko Thomas hurt his groin in the first quarter.
Surprise players who impressed: Reserve outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo was around the ball on almost every down he played. Tight end Xavier Grimble showed up at a crucial time in the race for a roster spot. Linebacker L.J. Fort forced a fumble on a running play early in the fourth quarter.
When it was starters vs. starters, the Steelers looked ...: Mighty comfortable. While the offense ran through the Saints, the defense acquitted itself well by allowing one first down on the Saints' first two drives. The Saints drove downfield on the third, but by then Pittsburgh had worked multiple backups into the rotation. On the Saints' first team's only touchdown, the Steelers had Willie Snead triple covered and he made a ridiculous catch. Hard to argue with that.
One reason to be concerned: The No. 3 cornerback role remains unresolved. Rookie Sean Davis has played most of the slot cornerback snaps, and though he's up to the challenge, the team drafted him as a safety. First-rounder Artie Burns has been out most of the preseason with a quad injury. The Senquez Golson injury hurts more by the week. That's why I'm not writing off the team potentially signing free agent Keenan Lewis if his health gets right. Or the team can take a chance on Donald Washington, Montell Garner or Doran Grant.
Do it Tuitt: Defensive end Stephon Tuitt was active early in the game, getting past the Saints' line of scrimmage multiple times. James Harrison also applied quarterback pressure.
Big shot: The Steelers signed linebacker Vince Williams to a three-year deal this week in part because he's a physical tackler. But Williams earned a 15-yard penalty for a helmet-to-helmet shot on running back Daniel Lasco. Williams and Fort both connected with Lasco, resulting in a fumble.
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