The Pittsburgh Steelers spoiled New Orleans’ historic week in France with a 16-10 win over the Saints at Stade de France on Sunday. The result gave Pittsburgh a 5-2 record and left New Orleans at 2-5 after the first regular-season NFL game played in France.
The Saints’ defeat came down to three damaging moments: only 18 rushing yards, a missed 52-yard field goal and an interception inside the red zone. New Orleans moved the ball through the air, but its lack of balance made the offence easier for Pittsburgh to defend.
Three Plays That Shaped the Paris Result
- Payton Wilson’s interception: The Pittsburgh linebacker intercepted a short Tyler Shough pass intended for Chris Olave in the third quarter. The turnover stopped a promising New Orleans possession.
- Chris Boswell’s field goal: Boswell converted from 39 yards after the takeaway, putting the Steelers ahead 16-10.
- Daniel Carlson’s miss: New Orleans had a chance to narrow the gap in the fourth quarter, but Carlson’s 52-yard attempt sailed wide right.
Shough accepted responsibility for the interception, saying the ball needed to be placed farther outside. Pittsburgh turned the mistake into the only points of the second half.
New Orleans Could Not Establish the Run
The Saints finished with just 18 rushing yards, a total that placed enormous pressure on Shough and the passing attack. He threw 38 passes and completed 30 for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
New Orleans managed to tie the game at 10 late in the second quarter when Shough connected with Devaughn Vele on a one-yard fourth-down touchdown pass. Alvin Kamara added seven receptions for 57 yards, but the Saints never found enough success on the ground to control the game.
Head coach Kellen Moore faced repeated questions about the running game after the loss. With the Steelers able to anticipate passing situations, New Orleans struggled to produce consistent drives in the second half.
Pittsburgh’s Defence Protected the Lead
The Steelers did not dominate offensively, but their defence repeatedly made key stops. Wilson’s interception was the biggest defensive play, while the unit held New Orleans to 10 points and prevented the Saints from taking their first lead.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss praised Shough’s leadership but said the defence needed to create more three-and-outs and turnovers. A three-and-out ends a possession without a first down, allowing the opposing offence to return to the field quickly.
Chris Boswell supplied three field goals, and Pittsburgh maintained its advantage without adding another touchdown after halftime. The Steelers’ ability to protect a narrow lead proved decisive in a low-scoring contest.
A Historic Setting for the NFL
Stade de France hosted the league’s first regular-season game in France. The stadium, built for the 1998 World Cup, holds more than 80,000 spectators and is the country’s largest sports venue.
The site has also hosted the 2024 Olympics and three UEFA Champions League finals. Since it has no permanent tenant, it can accommodate a broad calendar of major events. For the football game, workers prepared a hybrid playing surface combining natural grass with synthetic fibres.
The matchup attracted a crowd of 78,488. The NFL viewed the event as an opportunity to expand its audience in a country where American football remains less popular than sports such as judo, swimming and fencing.
What the French Market Means for New Orleans
The Saints hold the NFL’s assigned marketing rights in France and have used French-language social media to build connections with local supporters. Owner Gayle Benson was also among the team representatives who met French President Emmanuel Macron during the week.
Jan Woska, the Saints’ international relations liaison, said winning on the field would help the club’s international efforts. The Paris loss therefore carried significance beyond the standings, especially during a week designed to present New Orleans to a new audience.
Flag football is central to the league’s expansion plans. The non-contact version of the sport will appear at the 2028 Olympics, and NFL executive Brett Gosper has described it as a major way to attract new fans. The Saints also support a French tournament whose champions earn a trip to New Orleans.
Saints Return Home With Major Questions
New Orleans entered the game with a young, developing roster and left for its bye week needing answers. The kicking operation will be reviewed after Carlson’s miss, while the running game requires immediate attention following its 18-yard performance.
Moore said the organization would examine every aspect of the team when asked about potential changes. The Saints have not made the playoffs since the 2020 season, and their latest loss added pressure to a difficult rebuild.
For Pittsburgh, the victory continued a successful run abroad. The Steelers improved to 5-2 and secured the NFL’s first regular-season win in France, while the Saints left Paris with a historic event behind them and a long list of football problems to solve.
