The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in the NFL’s first regular-season game staged in France. The win lifted Pittsburgh’s record to 5-2, while New Orleans slipped to 2-5.
The international setting added significance to a tightly contested game, but the decisive moments came from familiar football issues: an absent rushing attack, a missed kick, a costly interception and a defence that kept the Saints from finding a late breakthrough.
Four Plays and Problems That Shaped the Result
- New Orleans could not run the ball. The Saints finished with only 18 rushing yards. Tyler Shough had to throw 38 times, leaving the offence heavily dependent on its passing game.
- A red-zone mistake changed the momentum. In the third quarter, Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted a short pass intended for Chris Olave. Shough accepted responsibility, saying the throw needed to be placed farther outside. Pittsburgh converted the turnover into Chris Boswell’s 39-yard field goal and a 16-10 advantage.
- Daniel Carlson missed a crucial opportunity. The Saints kicker pushed a 52-yard attempt wide right in the fourth quarter. Head coach Kellen Moore said Carlson’s late arrival in Paris, which followed the impending birth of his child, did not cause the miss. The club plans to review its kicking operation during the bye week.
- The Saints’ passing attack offered encouragement. Shough completed 30 of 38 passes for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His one-yard fourth-down touchdown toss to Devaughn Vele tied the game at 10 late in the second quarter. Alvin Kamara added seven receptions for 57 yards.
New Orleans entered the game having scored 16 touchdowns on 19 red-zone possessions, a rate that ranked second in the NFL before kickoff. That efficiency disappeared when the Saints needed it most.
Pittsburgh’s Defence Made the Difference
The Steelers did not produce an overwhelming offensive performance, but their defence consistently limited New Orleans. Holding the Saints to 10 points gave Pittsburgh enough room for Boswell’s three field goals and the game’s lone decisive scoring margin.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss praised Shough’s leadership after the game but said the defence wanted to create more three-and-outs and force additional turnovers. Pittsburgh’s interception in the third quarter became the clearest example of how one defensive play could outweigh several offensive shortcomings.
The Steelers also benefited from disciplined late-game execution. A key scramble by Aaron Rodgers helped Pittsburgh maintain possession in the fourth quarter, and the club protected its narrow lead until the final whistle. Rodgers threw the Steelers’ touchdown pass, while the victory marked Pittsburgh’s second consecutive international win.
A Landmark Event for the NFL and France
Stade de France provided a fitting venue for the league’s French debut. Built for the 1998 World Cup, the Saint-Denis stadium seats more than 80,000 spectators and is France’s largest stadium. It has hosted major sporting events, including the 2024 Olympics and three UEFA Champions League finals.
The stadium has no permanent tenant and is scheduled to host nearly 40 events during the year, the busiest calendar in its history. For the NFL game, workers replaced the usual football pitch with a hybrid playing surface combining natural grass and synthetic fibres.
The event drew an attendance of 78,488. The crowd was expected to be primarily French, with at least 70 per cent local supporters and as many as 20 per cent American fans. Steelers supporters nevertheless created an atmosphere that felt closer to a neutral-site contest than a Saints home game overseas.
Security also shaped preparations. Protests that began on September 18 over school conditions contributed to wider unrest across France. NFL executive vice-president Peter O’Reilly said the league increased security but never seriously considered cancelling or relocating the contest.
What Comes Next for New Orleans
The Saints are trying to establish a lasting connection with French supporters. The organization operates French-language social-media channels, and owner Gayle Benson was among the guests who met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the game and the league’s future in Paris.
That long-term project will be easier if the team wins. Jan Woska, the Saints’ international-relations liaison, emphasized that success on the field is essential to building interest. The loss in France instead left New Orleans searching for answers at 2-5.
American football faces a significant challenge in the French sports market. Woska said it ranks 11th in popularity, behind activities including judo, swimming and fencing. The NFL is therefore using flag football as a major entry point, especially with the non-contact version scheduled to debut at the 2028 Olympics.
NFL executive Brett Gosper described flag football as a central part of the league’s fan-acquisition strategy. The Saints also support a French tournament whose winners receive a trip to New Orleans, connecting local participation with the club’s home market.
Back in Louisiana, Moore must address the offence’s most obvious weakness. The Saints’ 18 rushing yards placed pressure on Shough and made the passing game easier for Pittsburgh to anticipate. General manager Mickey Loomis had urged patience with a young, developing roster earlier in the week, while Moore said every area, including possible staff adjustments, would be evaluated.
New Orleans has not returned to the playoffs since the 2020 season. The Paris game gave the NFL a successful first chapter in France, but the Saints leave the country facing a more immediate concern: rebuilding an offence that could not run the football when it mattered.