10 Things to Know Before Steelers vs Saints in Paris – NFL Week 7, 25–26 October 2026
The NFL arrives in Paris for the first time on Sunday, 25 October 2026, and the league could hardly have picked two more recognisable franchises to introduce regular-season football to France. The Pittsburgh Steelers bring a 4–2 record, a veteran quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and one of the league’s more reliable defensive identities. The New Orleans Saints arrive 2–4 but with fresh momentum after snapping a three-game losing streak.
The game is being played at Stade de France, one of Europe’s most famous sporting venues, and it gives Week 7 a very different opening rhythm. Instead of waiting for the usual Sunday afternoon slate, fans get meaningful football in the morning in the United States and early afternoon in the UK.
Pittsburgh enters with the cleaner profile. The Steelers are allowing 21.3 points per game compared with 29.7 for New Orleans, hold a positive turnover margin and rank inside the league’s top 10 in total defence. New Orleans has been more productive offensively than its record suggests, scoring 25.3 points per game, but the Saints have struggled to stop opponents consistently.
There are injury questions on both sides. Pittsburgh has been dealing with wide-receiver depth problems, while Jalen Ramsey, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Rico Dowdle all appeared on the injury report during the week. New Orleans listed Alvin Kamara with a back issue, although he continued practising on a limited basis.
This is also a coaching reunion of sorts. Saints head coach Kellen Moore previously worked under Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas, which gives the matchup an added strategic layer. Both know the other’s offensive preferences extremely well.
Here are the 10 things worth knowing before Steelers vs Saints in Paris, from the historic setting to the matchups that could decide whether Pittsburgh moves to 5–2 or New Orleans creates real momentum before its bye.
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10. This Is the NFL’s First Regular-Season Game in France
The most obvious reason to watch is the setting. The NFL has spent years expanding its international schedule through London, Germany and other markets, but Paris represents a new milestone. Stade de France has hosted World Cup finals, major rugby matches and enormous concerts, but this is its first NFL regular-season game.
That changes the atmosphere. Neither team has a traditional home crowd, travel routines are different and players have had to manage a week built around international logistics rather than a normal road trip. The Saints are technically the home team, but the stadium is likely to contain a mix of Steelers fans, Saints fans and European NFL supporters who simply want to experience the occasion.
Why it matters: unusual environments can create slow starts. Communication, pre-game routines and timing are all a little different, so the team that settles fastest could gain an early edge.
9. Pittsburgh Has the Better Record, but New Orleans Has Fresh Momentum
Pittsburgh is 4–2 and coming off an overtime road win in Tampa Bay after rallying from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit. That kind of win strengthens belief because the Steelers proved they can survive a game where things are not clean.
New Orleans is 2–4, but the Saints just beat the Giants 34–27 after scoring 34 unanswered points at one stage. That ended a three-game losing streak and gave Kellen Moore’s team something it badly needed before leaving the country: confidence.
Why it matters: records can hide momentum. Pittsburgh has been steadier over six weeks, but New Orleans enters Paris coming off its most encouraging result of the season.
8. The Turnover Battle Heavily Favours Pittsburgh on Paper
Pittsburgh enters with a +3 turnover margin. New Orleans is at -3. That six-turnover swing tells you a lot about why one team is 4–2 and the other is 2–4.
The Steelers do not need to dominate yardage if they shorten fields and protect the football. New Orleans has been productive enough offensively to score, but giving Pittsburgh extra possessions would make an already difficult matchup much harder.
Why it matters: international games often become strange, low-rhythm contests. In those games, one interception or fumble can be worth more than 100 yards of total offence.
7. Alvin Kamara’s Health Is One of the Biggest Questions
Kamara appeared on the injury report with a back issue and was limited during the week. New Orleans has other running backs available, but the offence becomes far more flexible when Kamara can run, catch and force linebackers to defend space.
The Saints have not been a dominant rushing team overall, ranking in the lower half of the league in rushing production. That makes Kamara’s individual versatility even more important because he can create offence without the line winning every snap cleanly.
Why it matters: if Kamara is close to full strength, New Orleans can stress Pittsburgh horizontally. If he is limited, the Saints become easier to predict.
6. Pittsburgh’s Wide-Receiver Depth Has Become a Real Issue
Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson have landed on injured reserve in recent weeks, while Ben Skowronek was ruled out for Paris with a calf issue. Pittsburgh signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad as it searched for additional depth.
That places more pressure on DK Metcalf and the remaining targets around Aaron Rodgers. The Saints’ defence has struggled overall, but thin receiver depth can make even a favourable matchup uncomfortable if the top option is doubled or bracketed.
Why it matters: Pittsburgh may need to lean more heavily on the run game, tight ends and short-area passing rather than expecting a deep receiving rotation.
5. Aaron Rodgers’ Experience Should Matter in an Unusual Environment
Rodgers has seen almost every kind of defensive structure and game atmosphere the NFL can create. A first-ever Paris game is new, but the quarterback situation itself is not likely to overwhelm him.
Pittsburgh’s offence has been middle-of-the-pack statistically, yet the Steelers have been good enough at avoiding catastrophic mistakes to support the defence. Rodgers does not need to produce 350 yards for Pittsburgh to win. He needs to stay ahead of pressure, protect the football and force New Orleans to defend the entire width of the field.
Why it matters: veteran quarterback play can stabilise games where travel, crowd noise and unfamiliar surroundings create chaos elsewhere.
4. Pittsburgh’s Pass Defence Is the Strongest Unit in the Matchup
The Steelers enter ranked inside the top 10 against the pass, allowing roughly 204 yards per game. New Orleans has moved the ball better through the air than on the ground, which means the Saints are running directly into Pittsburgh’s greatest defensive strength.
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Jalen Ramsey and the rest of the Steelers’ defensive core give Pittsburgh multiple ways to create difficult downs. Even with injury management, the unit has been much more dependable than New Orleans’ defence.
Why it matters: if the Saints cannot create early-down efficiency, Pittsburgh can force obvious passing situations and let its rush dictate the game.
3. New Orleans Has to Protect Its Quarterback Better Than the Numbers Suggest
Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler have both appeared on the Saints’ injury report during the week, and the offensive line has also had questions around Cesar Ruiz. That matters against a Steelers front built to punish hesitation.
New Orleans does not have to eliminate pressure entirely. It needs to avoid the kind of negative plays that turn a manageable second-and-six into third-and-fourteen. Against Pittsburgh, those situations often become punts or turnovers.
Why it matters: the Saints can score enough to win if they stay on schedule. The problem begins when the Steelers make the quarterback solve long-yardage situations repeatedly.
2. Kellen Moore vs Mike McCarthy Adds a Fascinating Coaching Layer
Moore served as McCarthy’s offensive coordinator in Dallas from 2020 through 2022. That means the two coaches share terminology history, philosophical overlap and direct knowledge of how the other thinks about offensive structure.
That familiarity does not make play-calling predictable, but it can shape tendencies. Both staffs will know which concepts the other prefers in certain situations and where the counters usually come from.
Why it matters: this could become a game of second-level adjustments. The first script matters, but the way each coach reacts after the opponent reveals its plan may matter more.
1. This Game Could Change the Direction of Both Seasons
Pittsburgh can leave Paris at 5–2 and strengthen its position in a highly competitive AFC North. New Orleans can enter its Week 8 bye at 3–4 with consecutive wins and a very different emotional outlook than it had two weeks ago.
That is what gives the historic setting real football weight. This is not an exhibition dressed up as international marketing. It is a meaningful conference game for two teams trying to stay attached to postseason races.
Why it matters: Pittsburgh wants to prove its 4–2 start is sustainable. New Orleans wants to prove last week’s comeback was the start of something rather than a one-game interruption.
My Prediction
Pittsburgh has the more reliable defence, the better turnover profile and the more experienced quarterback. New Orleans has enough offensive talent to keep this close, especially if Kamara is effective and the Saints avoid obvious passing downs.
My lean is Steelers 24, Saints 20. I expect New Orleans to make it uncomfortable, but Pittsburgh’s defence should create one extra short field or late stop.
How to Watch Steelers vs Saints in Paris
The game is Sunday, 25 October 2026 at Stade de France. Kickoff is 9:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. CT and 1:30 p.m. in the UK. In the United States it airs on NFL Network, with local New Orleans coverage and NFL+ mobile access.
Final Thoughts
Steelers-Saints is worth watching before you even reach the tactical details because the NFL is making history in France. But the football itself gives the event substance.
Pittsburgh is trying to strengthen a 4–2 start behind defence and veteran quarterback play. New Orleans is trying to turn one encouraging win into a genuine recovery. That is enough pressure to make the first NFL game in Paris feel important rather than ceremonial.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Steelers vs Saints in Paris?
Sunday, 25 October 2026.
Where is the game being played?
Stade de France in Paris.
What are the teams' records?
Pittsburgh enters 4–2 and New Orleans 2–4.
Why is this game historic?
It is the first NFL regular-season game ever played in France.
Who is the Steelers quarterback?
Aaron Rodgers is Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback.
Who is the key Saints player to watch?
Alvin Kamara remains one of the most important offensive pieces because of his rushing and receiving versatility.
What is Pittsburgh’s biggest advantage?
Its defence, particularly against the pass, has been far more reliable than New Orleans’ defence.
What is the biggest Saints concern?
Turnovers and defensive consistency. New Orleans enters with a negative turnover margin and one of the league’s weaker defensive statistical profiles.
How can fans watch in the US?
NFL Network carries the game nationally, with NFL+ mobile streaming available.
Who is favoured in this article?
Pittsburgh. My prediction is Steelers 24, Saints 20.
Sources and Further Reading
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