Here are the most important numbers leading up to the Steelers-Saints game Sunday at Heinz Field.

The Steelers are 2-6. The Saints are 3-6. So both clubs are desperate for a win.

It’s been five years since New Orleans has had a losing season. It’s been 18 years since we’ve seen one in Pittsburgh.

If either team is to avoid that fate, they better get going and get going fast.

For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we provide some other numbers that illustrate why this matchup Sunday at Acrisure stadium is so close, confusing and difficult to call.

• 2: The number of interceptions by Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu. The only two interceptions turned in by the Saints all year.

Tyrann Mathieu's first pick as a Saint comes in London! @nfluk@Mathieu_Era | @Saints

: #MINvsNO on @NFLNetwork: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/rvQRHI7Cq9 pic.twitter.com/G6ttXMqXJb

— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2022

Werner tips it, and Mathieu picks it off - SAINTS BALL!!!#LVvsNO | : CBS pic.twitter.com/3Ia8hul544

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 30, 2022

• 8: The number of interceptions Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett has thrown in five appearances this year. In other words, Kenny, this would be a good week to walk away without one.

Eight is also the number of sacks the Steelers have had in the seven games since T.J. Watt was injured.

• 7: The number of sacks the Steelers had in Week 1 when Watt was on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals. Also, the number of times Saints QB Andy Dalton was hit last week by the Baltimore Ravens defense.

Seven is also the number of Saints players to have a rush or a reception longer than 40 yards so far this year.

• 1: The number of Steelers players to have a rush or a reception longer than 40 yards so far this year (Connor Heyward).

• 5.9: Yards per play for the Saints, tied for sixth in the league.

• 4.7: Yards per play for the Steelers, tied for last in the league with the Los Angeles Rams.

• 365: Yards+catches+touchdowns for Steelers rookie receiver George Pickens.

• 663: Yards+catches+touchdowns for Saints rookie receiver Chris Olave.

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• 104.3: Average yards per game for Antonio Brown in three games against the Saints (25 catches/313 yards/4 TDs).

• 18: Difference in rushing yards between Steelers running back Najee Harris (361) and Saints utility player Taysom Hill (343).

• 194: Career field goals for Steelers kicker Chris Boswell.

• 28: Career field goals for Boswell’s replacement, Matthew Wright.

• 11: The number of career wins for Saints head coach Dennis Allen.

• 156: The number of regular-season wins for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

• 13: The number of career losses for Dalton against the Steelers.

• 3: The number of career wins for Dalton against the Steelers.

Three is also the number of times the Saints have beaten Tomlin-coached Steelers teams.

• 16: The combined number of points the Saints have won by in those three games. They won 31-28 in 2018 in New Orleans, 35-32 at Heinz Field in 2014 and 20-10 in 2010 back down in New Orleans.

That’s also the number of years it’s been since the Steelers beat the Saints. It was a 38-31 victory at Heinz Field in 2006. Drew Brees had 398 yards in a loss. Willie Parker rushed for 213 yards and two touchdowns in the win. That was the fourth-best day for any running back in Steelers history.

• 0: The number of times Tomlin has beaten the New Orleans Saints. The only NFL team he has never beaten.

In this week’s football podcast, Tim Benz and Chris Adamski discuss all the topics surrounding the Steelers as they come out of the bye and get ready to play the Saints.

Listen: Tim Benz and Chris Adamski talk Steeelers-Saints

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