CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Moments before Mike Tomlin’s debut as Steelers coach, wind-blown rain was pelting the field. Suddenly, the skies cleared, the rain ceased and the stands filled.

Less than three minutes into the game, the Steelers made it feel like a warm, sunny summer afternoon for the man replacing the retired Bill Cowher.

A dominant first half made Tomlin a winner, 20-7 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night in the preseason opener. Just the third head coach in the last 38 years in Pittsburgh, Tomlin had to be thrilled about his team’s quick getaway in the Hall of Fame game.

In the first half, Pittsburgh outgained New Orleans 305-56, including 205-32 in the air.

‘‘In the first preseason game, you are finally getting a chance to go against someone else, and see where you have progressed,’’ Saints quarterback Drew Brees said after going 1-for-6 for 6 yards. ‘‘Obviously, we still have some work to do.’’

But the Saints’ third-stringers staged a 16-play, 72-yard drive capped by a fourth-down, 1-yard TD pass from Jason Fife to Kevin Dudley to open the second half. Pittsburgh’s subs answered with a 13-play, 44-yard march to Reed’s 39-yard field goal, taking up the remainder of the third period.

On hand were five of the six men inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday: Michael Irvin, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Matthews, Roger Wehrli and Charlie Sanders. The ailing Gene Hickerson was not in attendance.