The Pittsburgh Steelers earned a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on Sunday, becoming the first team to win an NFL regular-season game played in France. The result lifted Pittsburgh to 5-2, while New Orleans fell to 2-5.
The game turned on three costly details for the Saints: only 18 rushing yards, a missed 52-yard field goal and a third-quarter interception inside the red zone. New Orleans moved the ball through the air, but those breakdowns prevented the team from converting promising opportunities into points.
Three Plays That Changed the Result
New Orleans struggled to establish any ground attack. The Saints finished with just 18 rushing yards, leaving quarterback Tyler Shough in predictable passing situations for much of the afternoon. He completed 30 of 38 attempts for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but the lack of balance made the offence easier for Pittsburgh to defend.
The most damaging turnover came in the third quarter. With New Orleans threatening near the goal line, Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted a short pass intended for Chris Olave. Shough accepted responsibility afterwards, saying the throw needed to be placed farther outside.
Pittsburgh immediately converted the mistake into points. Chris Boswell connected from 39 yards, giving the Steelers a 16-10 advantage that they maintained through the final quarter.
New Orleans also missed a chance to draw closer when Daniel Carlson pushed a 52-yard attempt wide right in the fourth quarter. Head coach Kellen Moore said Carlson’s late arrival in France, caused by his wife preparing to give birth, was not responsible for the miss. Moore added that the club would review its kicking operation during the bye week.
New Orleans Found Some Success Through the Air
Although the Saints could not run effectively, Shough produced several strong passing sequences. His one-yard touchdown throw to Devaughn Vele on fourth-and-goal tied the score at 10 late in the second quarter. Alvin Kamara was another important outlet, catching seven passes for 57 yards.
Shough told teammates that New Orleans had been only a few plays away from winning. That assessment reflected a game in which the Saints moved the ball at times but failed to finish key drives. The interception and missed kick proved more influential than the final yardage totals.
Pittsburgh’s defence held firm when it mattered most. The Steelers limited New Orleans to 10 points and repeatedly forced the Saints to rely on difficult third-down conversions. Linebacker Kaden Elliss praised Shough’s leadership but said the defence needed to create more three-and-outs and takeaways.
Why France Was a Major NFL Test
Stade de France provided a fitting setting for the league’s first regular-season game in the country. Constructed for the 1998 World Cup, the Saint-Denis venue holds more than 80,000 spectators and is France’s largest stadium. It has also hosted the 2024 Olympics and three UEFA Champions League finals.
The stadium does not have a permanent tenant and is scheduled to stage nearly 40 events this year, its busiest calendar to date. For the football game, crews replaced the usual natural football pitch with a hybrid playing surface combining grass and synthetic fibres.
Security was another major consideration during the week. Protests that began on September 18 over school conditions created broader unrest across France. NFL executive vice-president Peter O’Reilly said the league increased security measures, though cancelling or relocating the contest was never seriously considered.
What Comes Next for the Saints in France
New Orleans has the NFL’s designated marketing rights in France and has worked to build local interest through French-language social media. Owner Gayle Benson was also among the league and team representatives who met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the event and the sport’s future in the country.
The Saints’ international investment now faces an obvious challenge: the team must provide a stronger product on the field. Jan Woska, the club’s international relations liaison, has said sustained success is necessary to attract fans. New Orleans currently faces a difficult rebuilding period and has not reached the playoffs since the 2020 season.
American football ranks 11th among France’s most popular sports, behind activities including judo, swimming and fencing. The NFL hopes flag football can help close that gap. The non-contact version will make its Olympic debut in 2028, and league executive Brett Gosper has described it as a major part of the organization’s fan-development strategy.
The Saints are also supporting a French flag-football tournament whose winners receive a trip to New Orleans. Those efforts may grow the audience, but Sunday’s defeat left the club with more immediate concerns at home—especially an offence that managed only 18 rushing yards and failed to capitalize on its best scoring chances.