The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10 on Sunday in the NFL Paris game, the first regular-season NFL game played in France. Kickoff came at 2:30 p.m. local time. The Saints fell to 2-5 at Stade de France.
Three details defined the Steelers vs Saints matchup: 18 rushing yards, one missed field goal and one red zone interception. Pittsburgh arrived at 4-2 and now stands at 5-2. New Orleans arrived at 2-4 and left with questions about changes.
The game also carried weight beyond the standings. The Saints hold the only NFL-assigned marketing rights in France, and the league wants a strong fan base there.
Five takeaways from the Steelers’ win over the Saints
Here is what mattered most on the field.
- The run game disappeared. New Orleans gained 18 rushing yards, and quarterback Tyler Shough threw 38 passes. Shough said after the game, “We have to fix some things in the run game.” Coach Kellen Moore fielded plenty of questions about that part of the offense.
- The red zone cost them. The red zone is the area inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. In the third quarter, Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson stepped in front of a short Shough pass intended for Chris Olave. Shough blamed himself and said he needed to throw the ball farther outside. Pittsburgh turned the turnover into a Chris Boswell 39-yard field goal and a 16-10 lead. Before kickoff, Sharp Football Analysis listed the Saints at 16 touchdowns on 19 red-zone trips, second in the NFL.
- A missed kick stung. Saints kicker Daniel Carlson missed wide right from 52 yards in the fourth quarter. Moore said Carlson’s late arrival in Paris, because his wife was about to give birth, was not a factor. Moore added that the team will evaluate its kicking game during the bye week, a scheduled week off with no game.
- The passing game worked. Shough finished 30 of 38 for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His 1-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele on fourth-and-goal tied the game at 10-10 late in the second quarter. Alvin Kamara caught seven passes for 57 yards. After the game, Shough told his teammates the Saints were a couple of plays from winning.
- The defense did its part. Pittsburgh scored 16 points. Linebacker Kaden Elliss called Shough a great leader and said the defense needed more three-and-outs, drives that end after three plays with no first down. He also wanted more takeaways.
Why the NFL picked Stade de France for its French debut
Built for the 1998 World Cup, Stade de France seats more than 80,000 fans. It is the largest stadium in France.
The stadium has no permanent tenant and hosts nearly 40 events this year, the most in its history. Past events include the 2024 Olympics and three UEFA Champions League finals.
Crews replaced the natural soccer grass with a hybrid surface. A hybrid surface mixes natural grass with synthetic fibers.
The league expected at least 70% of the crowd to be French and up to 20% to be American, according to Sports Illustrated.
Security shaped the week. Protests across France began on September 18 over school conditions, and the Associated Press called the unrest France’s worst in years.
NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly told reporters the league increased security. He said the NFL never seriously considered canceling or moving the game.
What the NFL in Paris means for the Saints
The Saints use French-language social media channels to reach fans. Owner Gayle Benson was among the VIPs who met French President Emmanuel Macron. They discussed the game and the long-term future of the NFL in Paris.
Winning matters in that effort. Jan Woska, the Saints’ international relations liaison, said, “you have to be winning on the field.” Sunday did not help that case.
The climb is steep. Woska said American football ranks 11th in popularity in France, behind sports such as judo, swimming and fencing.
Flag football, a version of the game without tackling that debuts at the 2028 Olympics, anchors the plan. NFL executive Brett Gosper called it “a big part of our fan acquisition strategy.” The Saints also help fund a French tournament whose winners earn a trip to New Orleans.
Back home, Moore faces a different test. General manager Mickey Loomis asked for patience with a “young, developing team” earlier in the week. When asked about staff changes, Moore said the team must evaluate everything.
The Saints have not reached the playoffs since the 2020 season.
Stade de France deputy CEO Julien Rongier held up crossed fingers when asked about a recurring NFL partnership.
Jackson Reed’s take
Paris gave the Saints a stage, and the offense wasted it. A team that throws 38 times and runs for 18 yards cannot control the clock or protect its quarterback.
Moore has one bye week to fix the run game and settle the kicker question. Woska said French fans follow winners, so the Saints need that fix to sell the Paris plan.
Pittsburgh left with a win and a 5-2 record. New Orleans left with the first NFL game in France on its résumé and a 2-5 record to explain.
