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Brees throws 5 TDs, Steelers comeback falls short

Dec 1, 2014 - 1:55 AM Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Drew Brees threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers to stoke the New Orleans Saints' 35-32 decision over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 action.

Brees finished with 257 yards on 19-of-27 attempts for the Saints (5-7), who put a three-game losing streak to rest and are tied atop the NFC South with Atlanta.

"My process doesn't change regardless of whether people are singing my praises or telling me I can't play anymore. I really don't care," said a defiant Brees, addressing rumors from earlier in the week that the Saints are looking to draft his replacement.

Mark Ingram racked up 122 yards on 23 carries, while Kenny Stills posted 162 yards and a score on five receptions. Marques Colston, Benjamin Watson, Nick Toon and Erik Lorig added a TD catch apiece.

Ben Roethlisberger threw two late TD passes to Antonio Brown, ending up 32- of-58 for 435 yards with two interceptions for the Steelers (7-5), who had won four of their last five coming in.

"Just one of those days, a lot of balls were coming out high," said Roethlisberger. "I had to make throws early on that I didn't make tonight and I usually do."

Le'Veon Bell led his club with 159 yards on eight receptions and had 95 yards with a score on 21 attempts, while Brown ended up posting 97 yards on eight grabs.

Pittsburgh remains in a three-way tie with Baltimore and Cleveland for second place in the AFC North.

Three plays into the hosts' opening drive of the second half, Roethlisberger was picked off by Cameron Jordan, who returned the ball to the Steelers' 15. Two snaps after that, Brees found Toon for an 11-yard score and 21-6 lead.

Bell took it in from the one to cap Pittsburgh's subsequent 83-yard drive with 4:21 remaining in the third, but the Steelers defense failed as Brees hit a wide-open Stills on the right sideline for a 69-yard TD play.

Shaun Suisham hit from 47 yards away on the second snap of the fourth and the Steelers were within 28-16, yet the Saints moved 80 yards in nine plays and took a 35-16 edge on a 3-yard Brees-to-Colston connection.

Roethlisberger's 53rd pass attempt of the afternoon fell into the hands of Brown with 2:34 to play and his successful conversion made it 35-24.

The Saints went three-and-out, then a punt pinned the Steelers in the shadow of their own goal line. No matter, as the hosts moved 98 yards and Brown hauled in a 3-yard pass on the fifth play with no time left. The conversion pass was successful.

Suisham bent a 49-yard attempt just inside the left upright to cap the Steelers' second drive of the contest. He put another try through the goal posts inside the first minute of the second, this one from 31 yards away, after two potential TD passes were dropped on the previous two plays.

The Saints took a 7-6 lead just before six minutes remained in the half as Brees found Watson for a 15-yard strike.

Kenny Vaccaro then intercepted Roethlisberger in the end zone, and nine plays later Brees found Lorig for a 4-yard score and 14-6 contest.

Suisham came up short on a 54-yard attempt on the final play of the half.

Game Notes

Brees recorded his ninth career game with at least five TD passes, equaling Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history ... Bell totaled 71 rushing yards in first quarter, while Roethlisberger had only 56 passing yards ... New Orleans won for the first time in Pittsburgh since a 20-16 decision at Three Rivers Stadium on Nov. 29, 1987 ... Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel left the game in the third quarter with a left triceps injury and did not return.