And a little help from the officials.
The pass interference call that on Haden that put the ball at the 2 and gave NO a TD was abysmal. Plain and simple. The default is no call unless an official sees clearly that the DB pushed or interfered. That did not happen.
The call that the pass for NO was incomplete was also pretty poor. The WR too 2 steps with the ball and then got the ball knocked out. There again, when the offical blow the ball dead instead of allowing the play to continue and then getting together with the other officials it is an error. That was a turnover that was not allowed and also cost the Steelers a NO TD. But it is my understanding that Tomlin could have challenged the play since there was a clear recovery by the Steelers, and that if he had won a challenge the only loss would have been the return yardage. So Tomlin did have a chance to challenge and he did not so that's on him and his staff for having a poor review and challenge process.
I saw a couple other blatant interferences on NO DB's that were not called, but maybe there were some both ways.
But yes, the officials did have a impact in keeping the Steeler from winning the game. They blatantly cost the Steeler 2 NO TD's.
But in the end the Steelers had a chance to win and 2 turnovers, an area they do control, also cost them the win.
And NFL officials do show blatant incompetence and get fired and replaced. Some may have been marginal at their jobs, and some may just get old and lose their edge like workers in any profession. It happens.