Recap: Saints Play Steelers In Inaugural Paris Matchup

In the first-ever NFL regular-season matchup on French soil, the New Orleans Saints were hoping to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this year as they faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s a recap of everything that went down at the Stade de France.

First Quarter

The Steelers got the opening drive off to a fast start as Jaylen Warren broke into Saints territory with a 29-yard run.

After four more runs, two each from Warren and Rico Dowdle, Aaron Rodgers was incomplete with a pass intended for DK Metcalf on third down.

Chris Boswell’s 28-yard chip shot gave Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead.

The Saints responded well to begin their opening series, as Tyler Shough found Bryce Lance and Chris Olave for medium gains before converting a third down with a 14-yard pass to Devaughn Vele.

But after a run for no gain from Alvin Kamara and a pair of incompletions, the black and gold had to punt.

Starting at his own 4-yard line, Rodgers worked his way near midfield with a variety of short throws alongside runs from Warren.

Second Quarter

After a pair of incompletions, Pittsburgh had to punt.

Shough began the ensuing possession with a huge chunk gain, connecting with Barion Brown for a 49-yard pass. Soon after, he found Kendre Miller for 13 more, but was then forced into a 3rd-and-long after taking a sack.

Daniel Carlson converted from 38 yards to tie the game.

Warren continued to hurt the Saints on the next series, with a 26-yard catch-and-run to begin the drive. A few plays later, on 3rd-and-14, Rodgers found Metcalf for 51 yards to give Pittsburgh 1st-and-goal.

Darnell Washington made the catch in the end zone to put the Steelers up 10-3.

New Orleans faced 4th down straight away as they looked for a response, which Shough converted on an 11-yard throw to Olave.

He then found Vele and Lance before converting another third down with a 13-yard pass to Kamara, who nearly found the end zone.

A couple of plays later, on 4th-and-goal, Vele caught the 1-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10-10.

Rodgers then got to work in the two-minute drill, setting up a 47-yard kick from Boswell to give Pittsburgh a 13-10 halftime lead.

Third Quarter

New Orleans embarked on a mammoth drive to begin the second half, highlighted by a 24-yard connection from Shough to Vele on a 3rd-and-long.

But on the edge of the red zone, Shough’s pass intended for Olave was intercepted by Payton Wilson.

Rodgers responded with a long drive of his own, as Pittsburgh moved into Saints territory with Warren continuing to run at will.

Brandon Smith caught a 20-yard pass to put the ball in the red zone, but the first sack of the afternoon for the black and gold came at a good time as Chase Young and Carl Granderson were able to force Pittsburgh into a field goal attempt.

Boswell was good again from 39 yards.

Fourth Quarter

Trailing 16-10, New Orleans put together an 11-play, 47-yard drive on which Shough was 7-for-7. But penalties hampered their efforts, and Carlson was soon out to attempt another field goal.

He was no good from 52 yards.

Pittsburgh proceeded to go three-and-out as Young got to Rodgers again. But the Saints only found one first down on the ensuing series before punting themselves.

From there, the Steelers ran down the clock to great effect, with Rodgers scrambling on a 3rd down for the decisive yardage. Boswell came out to convert a 39-yard kick to ice the game, but an offside penalty against the black and gold meant Pittsburgh could kneel out the clock instead to secure a 16-10 victory.

The Saints return home after the bye week to play the Cleveland Browns on November 8.