The Pittsburgh Steelers opened the NFL’s Paris chapter with a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The historic result lifted Pittsburgh to 5-2, while New Orleans slipped to 2-5. The Steelers became the first team to win an NFL regular-season game in France.
Played before a crowd of 78,488, the matchup was shaped by field position, Pittsburgh’s ground attack and a defence that repeatedly denied New Orleans inside the red zone. Chris Boswell supplied three field goals, while the Steelers found the end zone once. The Saints, meanwhile, struggled to create any reliable rushing production.
How Pittsburgh Controlled the Decisive Moments
The contest remained tight for much of the afternoon. Pittsburgh led 3-0 after the opening quarter, then added 10 points in the second period to take a 13-10 advantage into halftime. New Orleans matched the Steelers’ second-quarter output, but the Saints were held scoreless after the break.
Boswell’s 39-yard field goal in the third quarter extended Pittsburgh’s lead to six points. That kick became the final scoring play of the game, as the Steelers’ defence prevented New Orleans from producing another serious scoring threat.
The Saints had one final opportunity to make the finish uncomfortable, but an offside penalty wiped out Pittsburgh’s late field-goal attempt. Rather than accept the points, the Steelers allowed the penalty and closed the game in victory formation.
The difference was especially clear on the ground. Jaylen Warren carried 18 times for 101 yards and added three receptions for 36 yards, giving Pittsburgh steady gains throughout the game. New Orleans’ running backs, including Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, found little room against the Steelers’ front.
New Orleans Could Not Overcome Its Offensive Problems
The Saints’ passing numbers were respectable, but the overall attack lacked balance. Tyler Shough completed 30 of 38 attempts for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His short touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele in the second quarter helped New Orleans draw level at 10-10 before halftime.
Kamara remained involved as a receiver, catching seven passes for 57 yards. Even so, the absence of a consistent rushing threat allowed Pittsburgh to focus more heavily on disrupting the passing game and controlling the pace.
The most damaging turnover came in the third quarter. Linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted a short throw intended for Chris Olave, diving in front of the receiver to make the play. Pittsburgh converted the takeaway into Boswell’s 39-yard field goal and a 16-10 lead.
New Orleans also missed a chance when Daniel Carlson pushed a 52-yard field-goal attempt wide right in the fourth quarter. Head coach Kellen Moore said Carlson’s late arrival in France, which was connected to the impending birth of his child, did not cause the miss. The club planned to review its kicking operation during the bye week.
For Moore, the larger concern was the running game. The Saints finished with only 18 rushing yards, an output that placed considerable pressure on Shough and the passing attack. The coaching staff must now determine whether the problem came from blocking, play selection, ball-carrier execution or a combination of all three.
A Historic Venue for the NFL’s French Expansion
Stade de France provided an imposing setting for the league’s first regular-season game in France. Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the stadium holds more than 80,000 spectators and remains the country’s largest sporting venue. It has also hosted the 2024 Olympics and three UEFA Champions League finals.
Unlike many major stadiums, Stade de France does not have a permanent club tenant. It is instead used for a wide range of major events, with nearly 40 scheduled during 2026. For the football game, crews adapted the playing surface by replacing the usual natural football pitch with a hybrid field combining grass and synthetic fibres.
Security was another major consideration during the week. Protests that began on September 18 over school conditions contributed to heightened concern, and the unrest was described as among France’s worst in years. NFL executive vice-president Peter O’Reilly said the league increased security measures but never seriously considered cancelling or relocating the game.
Why the Saints Matter to the NFL’s French Strategy
New Orleans has a distinctive role in the league’s French plans because the Saints hold the NFL’s assigned marketing rights in France. The organization has developed French-language social media channels and has worked to build recognition beyond its Louisiana home.
Owner Gayle Benson was among the guests who met French President Emmanuel Macron. Their discussions included the Paris game and the broader possibility of establishing a lasting NFL presence in the country.
That effort becomes more difficult when the local representative loses. Jan Woska, the Saints’ international relations liaison, said success on the field remains essential to gaining supporters. A 2-5 record and an offence limited to 18 rushing yards did little to strengthen that argument.
American football still faces a significant challenge in France, where Woska said it ranks 11th among the country’s most popular sports. Judo, swimming and fencing are among the activities with stronger national followings.
Flag Football Offers a Broader Entry Point
The NFL sees flag football as one of its best tools for growing participation. Because the non-contact version removes tackling, it can be introduced in schools, community programmes and recreational leagues more easily than traditional football. The sport is scheduled to make its Olympic debut in 2028.
NFL executive Brett Gosper has described flag football as a major part of the league’s fan-acquisition plans. The Saints support that goal through a French tournament whose winners receive a trip to New Orleans, linking local participation with the club’s home market.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
Pittsburgh leaves France with a third consecutive win and momentum in a competitive AFC North race. The Steelers’ ability to run the ball, protect a narrow lead and produce timely defensive plays made the difference in a game where neither quarterback dominated.
New Orleans returns home facing more fundamental questions. The club has not reached the playoffs since the 2020 season, and the latest loss exposed problems in rushing efficiency, red-zone execution and special teams. Moore indicated that the organization would evaluate every aspect of the operation during the scheduled week off.
The Paris setting gave the Saints and the NFL a valuable international show, but the result ensured that Pittsburgh owned the historic moment. For New Orleans, the next phase of the French project will have to continue alongside an urgent attempt to repair the team’s performance on the field.
