SAINT-DENIS, France — Behind another dominant rushing performance from Jaylen Warren, efficient quarterback play from Aaron Rodgers, and a second-half defensive shutdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 Sunday at Stade de France as part of the NFL’s international showcase.
The victory improved Pittsburgh to 5-2 on the season and capped a successful trip overseas in front of a sold-out crowd for the NFL’s first regular-season game in France.
From the opening kickoff, the Steelers established the physical identity that has become their trademark. Pittsburgh rushed for 148 yards, controlled possession for more than 32 minutes, and converted 10 of 16 third-down opportunities while keeping the Saints’ offense on the sideline for much of the afternoon.
The formula was familiar: a productive running game, a reliable defense, and another clutch performance from Chris Boswell. The veteran kicker connected on field goals of 28, 47, and 39 yards while accounting for 10 of Pittsburgh’s 16 points.
The Steelers struck first midway through the opening quarter when Boswell capped an eight-play, 51-yard drive with a 28-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh an early 3-0 lead.
New Orleans answered with a field goal from Daniel Carlson early in the second quarter before the Steelers delivered their biggest offensive drive of the afternoon.
Aaron Rodgers marched Pittsburgh 77 yards on six plays and finished the possession with a four-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Washington, giving the Steelers a 10-3 advantage. Rodgers finished the day 19-of-30 passing for 212 yards, one touchdown, and no turnovers.
The Saints responded before halftime behind quarterback Tyler Shough, who turned in an efficient performance through the air. Shough led a 12-play scoring drive and connected with Devaughn Vele on a one-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10-10 late in the second quarter.
Pittsburgh regained the momentum just before the break when Boswell drilled a 47-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Steelers into halftime with a 13-10 lead.
The second half belonged entirely to the Steelers’ defense.
Boswell added a 39-yard field goal early in the third quarter, extending Pittsburgh’s advantage to 16-10. From there, the Steelers defense slammed the door, holding the Saints scoreless over the final two quarters and forcing the game’s lone turnover.
Linebacker Payton Wilson came up with a crucial interception of Shough, helping preserve the lead as New Orleans struggled to find offensive balance. While Shough completed 30 of 38 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown, the Saints managed only 18 rushing yards, allowing Pittsburgh’s defense to dictate the flow of the game.
Warren once again powered the Steelers offense, rushing for 101 yards on 18 carries and becoming the first Pittsburgh running back to eclipse the 100-yard mark this season.
Defensively, Patrick Queen led the way with a team-high 10 tackles, while T.J. Watt added a sack as the Steelers turned in another impressive effort away from home.
For New Orleans, Shough’s strong afternoon and Vele’s touchdown reception were not enough to overcome Pittsburgh’s dominance at the line of scrimmage. The Saints outgained the Steelers through the air but were ultimately undone by their inability to establish the run and sustain drives in the second half.
As fans filed out of Stade de France, the Steelers departed Paris with exactly the kind of victory head coach Mike McCarthy can appreciate: a bruising rushing attack, a suffocating defense, and just enough offense to secure another win.
Pittsburgh now returns home with momentum and will look to build on its 5-2 start when the Steelers host the Cleveland Browns next Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
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