A year after winning the NFL's first game in Ireland, the Steelers were victorious in the league's first game played in Paris, France. In a defensive duel, the Steelers recorded a 16-10 win over the Saints on Sunday.
With the win, the Steelers are now 5-2, while the Saints dropped to 2-5.
Pittsburgh got a field goal on the game's opening drive and took a 10-3 lead on its third offensive series when Aaron Rodgers threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Washington. The touchdown pass was set up by Rodgers' 51-yard completion to DK Metcalf.
With the TD pass, Rodgers passed Peyton Manning for sole possession of third place on the NFL's all-time regular-season passing touchdown list. He is now the first quarterback to throw touchdown passes in both Ireland and France.
The Saints tied the score on their ensuing drive when Tyler Shough hit Devaughn Vele for a 1-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. New Orleans' first score was set up by Shough's 49-yard completion to rookie wideout Barion Brown.
Pittsburgh took the lead just before halftime on a 47-yard field goal by Chris Boswell. He later hit a 39-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 16-10 lead through three quarters. The Steelers clinched the win after the Saints jumped offsides on Boswell's 37-yard field goal attempt with 1:04 left. Pittsburgh took the penalty and ended the game in victory formation.
Rodgers threw for 212 yards on 19-of-30 passing and one touchdown pass. Jaylen Warren had another big game with 101 yards on 18 carries.
Rodgers came through with his legs late in the game with the Steelers facing a third-and-6 on the Saints' 34. Rodgers evaded pressure before finding running room and taking off for an eight-yard gain. The run helped the Steelers run out the clock.
Rodgers' impressive mobility -- which has been on display all year -- also allowed him to complete another third-down late in the third quarter. The 20-yard completion to Brandon Smith set up Boswell's field goal, which proved to be the only points that were scored in the second half.
Rodgers made some plays with his arm, too, including his bomb to Metcalf that set up his touchdown pass to Washington.
Pittsburgh's defense came up with several big plays throughout the game. Three of their biggest plays were sacks by T.J. Watt and Patrick Queen and an interception by fellow linebacker Payton Wilson.
Watt's sack forced the Saints to settle for a field goal early in the second quarter. Queen's sack forced the Saints to punt with just over six minutes left. The Steelers' offense then ran out the clock.
Wilson's interception ended the Saints' first drive of the second half. The Steelers' offense parlayed the pick into their fourth and final scoring drive.
Pittsburgh's defense held New Orleans to just 1-for-3 in the red zone. The Steelers won despite being just 1-for-4 in the red zone.
Shough went 30 of 38 for 278 yards, but he received virtually no help from his running game. The Saints ran for just 18 yards on 17 carries, which put Shough in too many obvious passing situations.
Conversely, the Steelers rumbled for 148 yards on 30 carries. Warren was the bell cow, but Rico Dowdle made an impact as well. Dowdle ran for 41 yards on nine carries and also caught a game-high six passes for 45 yards.
Pittsburgh improves to 5-2 with a 16-10 win over the Saints. The Steelers made it a 19-10 game, but an offsides penalty wiped out the FG and Pittsburgh ended the game in victory formation.
The Steelers are the first team to win a game in Paris.
Rodgers runs for a huge first down on third down. The Steelers are in FG range at the 2-minute warning. Not sure why the Saints didn't call time before the 2-minue warning as they only have two left.
Steelers will likely run three times and take the FG, which would give them a two possession lead, unless they can get another first down.
The Saints' drive ends with consecutive batted passes and a sack by ILB Patrick Queen. Shough is 30 of 38 for 278 yards, New Orleans' lack of a running game is killing them. They've gained just 18 yards on 17 carries, which has put them in too many obvious passing situations.
Steelers, ahead 16-10, will take over at their own 35 with 5:52 left. Saints have all three of their timeouts.
Daniel Carlson's 52-yard attempt goes wide right, preserving the Steelers' 16-10 lead with 9:27 to play.
The Saints have had two good scoring drives this half but have come up empty on both. The first one ended with a Shough interception, and this one ends with a missed field goal. A false start penalty short circuited that drive.
Steelers can take a two-possession lead with a score here.
Steelers first drive of the half ends with a 39-yard FG by Boswell. Rodgers is heated, though. He was seen yelling on the sideline while venting with the other quarterbacks.
Pat Freiermuth dropped a pass that would have given the Steelers a first down inside the 10-yard-line. Rodgers was sacked on third down. Both teams are 1-3 today in the red zone.
Rodgers did convert on third-and-6 earlier with the drive on a 20-yard completion to Brandon Smith. The catch was his second career reception.
Peyton Wilson picks off Shough to end the Saints' promising drive to start the second half. Wilson, who has been on fire in recent weeks, stepped in front of Olave.
Shough's struggles taking care of the ball have been an issue all year and are an issue again here in Paris. Steelers preserve their 13-10 lead.
The Saints will start the second half with the ball. They won the toss and elected to defer.
Saints come out throwing, which isn't too much of a surprise given Shough's success in the first half and their lack of a running game.
Score: Steelers, 13-10
First downs: Steelers 12-9
Third down: Steelers 6-9, Saints 3-7
Total yards: Steelers 250-156
Red zone: Both teams 1-2
TOP: Steelers 16:30
Rodgers: 14-22, 164 yards, TD, 1 sack
Shough: 15-19, 152 yards, TD, 1 sack
Warren: 9 carries, 78 yards, 3 catches, 36 yards
Saints: 11 yards on 9 carries
Olave: 3 catches on 6 targets, 26 yards
Shough hits Devaughn Vele for a TD on fourth and goal that ties the score at 10 with 1:45 left until halftime. The Saints dodged two bullets on that drive after they fumbled the ball after hitting the ground.
Steelers have 1:45 and one timeout to work with.
A 51-yard bomb to DK Metcalf sets up Rodgers' short TD pass to Darnell Washington, given the Steelers a 10-3 lead with 6:45 left until halftime.
With that TD pass, Rodgers moves past Peyton Manning and into third all-time in touchdown passes.
TJ Watt sacks Tyler Shough, which forces the Saints to settle for a FG. It appeared that Watt had forced a fumble, but it was determined that Shough had maintained possession long enough.
Shough hits Barion Brown for 49 yards and the Saints are in scoring range. Brown beat Dean in single coverage.
Really nice play design that clearly had the Steelers playing passively.
Pittsburgh's offense goes where Warren goes. He didn't touch the ball on Pittsburgh's last four plays of that series, and the Steelers ultimately punt.
Warren and Dowdle have virtually been the Steelers' entire offense so far. They've gained 92 of the Steelers' 103 yards.
Steelers have the ball and are on the move as we enter the second quarter. The rushing disparity has been the biggest difference between the teams so far. Pittsburgh has run for 62 yards on seven carries (with Warren gaining 57 on seven carries) compared to the Saints' six yards on three carries.
Patrick Queen jumped in front of Olave and nearly gets an interception. The Steelers' defense are still able to force a punt after the Saints crossed midfield. New Orleans' inability to run was an issue on that drive. Alvin Kamara had just six yards on three carries.
Steelers will be pinned inside their 10-yard-line to start their second drive.
Shough hits Chris Olave on a slant for a first down. Olave has far and away been the Saints' best offensive player this season. He's being shadowed by Jamel Dean, who had an interception during last week's win over the Buccaneers.
Warren picked up another first down to get the Steelers in the red zone, but Steelers have to settle for a Chris Boswell FG after two short runs by Dowdle and an incomplete pass from Rodgers to DK Metcalf. Both wanted a flag for DPI but didn't get one.
Warren's absence at the end of that drive was noticeable. He had four touches for 46 yards on the drive (including 43 yards on three carries) but didn't touch the ball on Pittsburgh's last three plays.
Jaylen Warren rips off a 29-yard run on the game's second play. The Steelers are already in scoring range.
We're underway in Paris. Steelers will get the ball first after Saints won the toss and deferred.
I'd be tempted to pick the Saints if this game had been played a month ago. But given the Saints' defensive issues and Pittsburgh's offensive awakening, I like the Steelers in this game as long as they take care of the ball and make enough plays in the red zone. Score: Steelers 27, Saints 20
Different travel plans: The Saints touched down in Paris on Monday, six days ahead of Sunday's game. Conversely, the Steelers didn't get to France until early Friday after taking a red-eye flight from Pittsburgh. The Steelers then had to cancel practice upon arrival due to inclement weather.
Red-hot Rodgers: As of late, the 42-year-old Rodgers has been playing more like the 32-year-old version of himself. He's completed 68.8% of his passes with five touchdowns and just one interception in Pittsburgh's past two games. In addition to his accuracy, Rodgers has displayed impressive mobility and elusiveness.
Big game for Warren/Rico? Through six weeks, the Saints are 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (828), 32nd in rushing touchdowns allowed (11) and 28th in average yards-per-carry allowed (4.8). They were torched in Week 4 by the Falcons' duo of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr., who ran for a combined 207 yards and five touchdowns on 33 carries.
Which Shough will show up in Paris? It's been a roller coaster of a season so far for the Saints' second-year quarterback, Tyler Shough. He started the season with three impressive outings that were followed by two underwhelming performances. Last Sunday was a mixed bag. He completed just 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards, but he threw three touchdowns and no interceptions while helping the Saints snap their three-game losing skid.
Looks can be deceiving, but based on photos, it looks like the field is in good shape. Aaron Rodgers was highly critical of Tampa Bay's playing surface last week.
The Steelers' quarterbacks are certainly embracing the NFL's first game in Paris.
Aaron Rodgers will make history today by becoming the first QB to play in an international game in a different country in three straight seasons.
For the first time, the Steelers will wear their Color Rush pants with their white road tops. The Steelers have never worn black pants other than with their Color Rush uniform until today.
"It's cool, and we're going to have to see it on game day," Steelers LB Nick Herbig said of the new uni combo. "But I'm a fan. I think it looks good.
"It's a little change-up, something different. Like they say, when in Rome, but we're going to be in Paris, so let's do it."
WR Ben Skowronek
QB Drew Allar
QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
CB Brandin Echols
RB Eli Heidenreich
CB Terell Smith
The Steelers just activated DeShon Elliott, who hasn't played since he sustained a knee injury five games into the 2025 season. That's a big boost for a secondary that won't have Echols in the lineup today.
Rico Dowdle will also be active for the Steelers after being questionable with a knee injury.
Welcome to our coverage of the first ever game in Paris between the Steelers and Saints. Good weather overall in Paris, where right now it's about 1 p.m. It'll be around 60 at kickoff with the temperature cooling off just a bit throughout the game. There is a decent wind (around 15 mph).
We'll have both team's inactive reports shortly.
