Can The New Orleans Saints Beat Aaron Rodgers And Pittsburgh Steelers In Paris?

Saints and Steelers meet in Paris for the NFL's first regular-season game in France.© Image via: X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Paris is about to make NFL history, and the matchup is a good one. The 2-4 Saints meet the 4-2 Steelers at Stade de France on Sunday, Oct. 25. Aaron Rodgers leads a Pittsburgh team that critics say caught a few breaks early. New Orleans landed in France ahead of schedule to beat jet lag, while the Steelers leave Thursday. Add a loud debate about schedule fairness, and this Week 7 game carries more weight than the records suggest. Can the Saints turn last week's win over the Giants into real momentum against Rodgers' Steelers?

Is The Pittsburgh Steelers' 4-2 Start With Aaron Rodgers Built On An Easy Schedule?

Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd thinks the league gave Pittsburgh a helping hand. He said, "I think the NFL has been very intentional with its schedule. I think that's right. I think there are times, I mean, Sean Payton got the biggest, roughest six-game stretch. It was almost like they were punishing him for sometimes being outspoken," and then added, "Whereas the Steelers, it's like, 'Aaron's old. They may not be great. Let's get him some early wins. Let's make it a little easier.'"

The numbers give him something to point at. ESPN lists Pittsburgh's strength of schedule at .457 heading into Week 7. Denver, also 4-2, sits at .571. That gap is real. Still, six games make a small sample, and schedule talk can sound like an excuse when a team keeps winning.

Aaron Rodgers was asked about Mike McCarthy injuring himself during Sundays game: “I'm glad Mike is okay, I wouldn't want Tony Fauci to come start jabbing him with vaccines.” https://t.co/kv6PPJIO4b

— Football Crave (@FootballCravee) October 21, 2026

Rodgers has thrown 12 touchdown passes, tied for second in the league. Jalen Ramsey earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week with 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks against Tampa Bay. Soft opponents do not create those stat lines alone.

How The New Orleans Saints And Tyler Shough Can Beat The Pittsburgh Steelers In Paris

New Orleans owns a small edge in preparation. Arriving early gives players more time to adjust to a six-hour shift, and that helps sleep, recovery and sharp play on Sunday.

The game plan starts on the ground. The Saints ran for a season-high 175 yards in their 34-27 win over the Giants. Repeat that, and quarterback Tyler Shough can lean on play-action instead of long dropbacks. That matters even more because he is reportedly playing through broken bones in his left hand, and Ramsey will be hunting him.

The defense needs a new recipe too. Four turnovers sank New York, but Rodgers threw only one interception on 49 attempts against Tampa Bay. Waiting for gifts is a weak strategy. Carl Granderson and Chase Young must create pressure on their own while the secondary holds up behind them.

Paris will remember this game for its place in history. The Saints can make sure their season remembers it too.