Steelers Beat Saints 16-10 in First NFL Game in France

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 on Sunday at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, winning the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France, according to the Associated Press. The result moved Pittsburgh to 5-2, while the Saints dropped to 2-5.

Three details defined the Steelers vs Saints matchup in Paris: 18 rushing yards, one missed field goal and one red zone interception. Pittsburgh arrived at 4-2, and New Orleans came in 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 believes it can build a strong fan base there, according to AP and Sports Illustrated.

Five Takeaways From the Steelers’ Win Over the Saints

Here is what mattered most on the field.

1. The run game disappeared. New Orleans gained just 18 rushing yards, and quarterback Tyler Shough attempted 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. He added that the team will evaluate its kicking game during the bye week, a scheduled week off with no game.
4. 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, according to AP.
5. The defense did its part. Pittsburgh held New Orleans to 10 points while scoring 16 of its own. 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.

Steelers vs Saints in Paris at a Glance

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, according to Sports Illustrated, and it is the largest stadium in France.

The venue 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.

Sports Illustrated reported that crews would replace the natural soccer grass with a hybrid surface, which mixes natural grass with synthetic fibers.

Security Shaped the Week

Protests across France began on September 18 over school conditions, Sports Illustrated reported, and AP 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, according to AP. Owner Gayle Benson was among the VIPs who met French President Emmanuel Macron, and 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, told Sports Illustrated that “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 Anchors the Plan

Flag football, a version of the game without tackling that debuts at the 2028 Olympics, sits at the center of the strategy. 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.

Questions Back Home in 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, AP reported.

Stade de France deputy CEO Julien Rongier held up crossed fingers when asked about a recurring NFL partnership. The Saints, meanwhile, take their own questions home to New Orleans, starting with a run game that gained 18 yards.