The Pittsburgh Steelers made history in Saint-Denis by defeating the New Orleans Saints 16-10 in the NFL’s first regular-season game held in France. The result lifted Pittsburgh to 5-2 and left New Orleans at 2-5 after a game shaped by defensive pressure, an ineffective ground attack and missed opportunities.
Played before a crowd of 78,488 at Stade de France, the matchup delivered a landmark moment for international football while exposing several concerns for the Saints. New Orleans moved the ball through the air, but its running game produced almost nothing and a fourth-quarter missed field goal kept the comeback effort from gaining momentum.
Pittsburgh Wins a Tight Defensive Battle
The Steelers never pulled far ahead, but they made the decisive plays when the game tightened. Pittsburgh’s defence limited New Orleans to 10 points, and a third-quarter interception by linebacker Payton Wilson proved especially costly for the Saints.
Wilson stepped in front of a short pass intended for Chris Olave, giving Pittsburgh possession in the red zone. Chris Boswell then converted a 39-yard field goal, putting the Steelers ahead 16-10 and creating the margin they protected through the final quarter.
The Saints did not find an answer after that turnover. Their defence kept the contest close, but Pittsburgh’s ability to capitalize on the interception ultimately separated the teams.
Saints’ Ground Game Becomes the Main Concern
New Orleans finished with only 18 rushing yards, a total that placed enormous pressure on quarterback Tyler Shough. He attempted 38 passes and completed 30 for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Shough’s short scoring pass to Devaughn Vele on fourth-and-goal tied the game at 10 late in the second quarter. Alvin Kamara also provided support as a receiver, catching seven passes for 57 yards, but the Saints could not establish a dependable rushing threat.
After the game, Shough acknowledged that the offence needed to correct its performance on the ground. Head coach Kellen Moore faced repeated questions about the issue, while general manager Mickey Loomis had already urged patience with a young, developing roster.
Missed Chances Kept New Orleans Behind
The Saints’ red-zone execution was another turning point. Before kickoff, the team had scored 16 touchdowns on 19 red-zone possessions, ranking second in the NFL in that category. Against Pittsburgh, however, one mistake inside the scoring area produced a major swing.
Shough accepted responsibility for the interception and said the pass should have been placed farther outside. Instead of extending their drive, the Saints watched Pittsburgh turn the turnover into three points and a six-point advantage.
Kicker Daniel Carlson later missed wide right on a 52-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Moore said Carlson’s late arrival in France, which was connected to the impending birth of his child, was not responsible for the miss. The club planned to review its kicking operation during the bye week.
Those errors mattered because New Orleans was within one possession for much of the afternoon. A successful long kick would have reduced Pittsburgh’s lead and increased the pressure on the Steelers’ offence.
A Major Step for the NFL in France
Stade de France provided a fitting setting for the league’s French debut. Built for the 1998 World Cup, the stadium holds more than 80,000 spectators and remains the largest venue in the country. It has also hosted major events, including the 2024 Olympics and three UEFA Champions League finals.
The stadium has no permanent tenant and is scheduled to stage nearly 40 events this year, its busiest calendar to date. For the NFL, that flexibility made it a practical venue for a historic international fixture.
The field also required preparation for American football. Crews replaced the natural football pitch with a hybrid surface combining living grass and synthetic fibres.
Security was another major consideration during the week. Protests that began on September 18 had created unrest across France, but NFL executive vice-president Peter O’Reilly said the league increased security and never seriously considered cancelling or relocating the game.
New Orleans Leaves Paris With a Larger Mission
The Saints entered the event with an advantage beyond home-field familiarity: New Orleans holds the NFL’s only team marketing rights in France. The organization has developed French-language social media channels and is working to build a long-term relationship with supporters in the country.
Owner Gayle Benson was among the team representatives who met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the game and the league’s future in Paris. A victory would have strengthened the Saints’ position, but the 16-10 loss left the club needing to sell the sport through its broader international work.
American football remains outside France’s most popular sports, ranking 11th according to Saints international relations liaison Jan Woska. Sports such as judo, swimming and fencing currently attract more attention.
Flag football is central to the NFL’s plan to change that picture. The non-contact version will debut at the 2028 Olympics, and league executive Brett Gosper has described it as an important way to attract new fans. The Saints also support a French tournament whose winners receive a trip to New Orleans.
For now, the historic game belongs to Pittsburgh. The Steelers earned the first NFL regular-season victory in France, while the Saints return home facing immediate questions about their rushing attack, kicking game and path back to the playoffs. New Orleans has not reached the post-season since 2020, and the bye week will provide time to assess every part of a team that remains in development.
