The Steelers vs Saints Paris game kicks off Sunday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. ET at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, part of the NFL‘s international slate. Pittsburgh brings a 4-2 record into the NFL Paris Game while New Orleans sits at 2-4, and both sides arrive with injury questions that could shape how the game is played out on a neutral field more than 4,000 miles from either home stadium.
The biggest question hanging over the matchup is whether Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt will be available after being listed as questionable.
Steelers Vs Saints Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
- Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
- TV: NFL Net
- Stage: NFL Paris Game
The game is being played at a neutral site, meaning neither team gets a true home-field edge despite the Saints being the designated home team. The matchup follows news that the NFL canceled a Steelers Paris fan event tied to the trip because of civil unrest in the area.
Is T.J. Watt Going To Play
Watt is listed as questionable with a calf injury, according to the official injury report, with a return date tied to game day. The Steelers also list running back Rico Dowdle as questionable with a knee issue, also with a return date of Oct. 25. Watt’s status matters given Pittsburgh’s defense has racked up 16 sacks through six games, and his pass rush is central to how the Steelers pressure opposing quarterbacks. Wide receiver Ben Skowronek (calf) and cornerback Brandin Echols (hamstring) are both listed as out, while defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day remains on injured reserve with a triceps injury.
Who Is Available For New Orleans
The Saints have five players carrying questionable tags into Sunday: running back Alvin Kamara (torso/back), linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee) and guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), all with return dates of Oct. 25. Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson remains on injured reserve with a hamstring strain and is not expected back until Nov. 8. If Kamara is limited or sits, New Orleans would lean further on Kendre Miller, who has rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries this season.
What Do The Expected Starting Quarterbacks Look Like
Aaron Rodgers has completed 143 of 233 passes for 1,487 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions for Pittsburgh, while Tyler Shough has gone 153 of 235 for 1,443 yards, also with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, for New Orleans. Both quarterbacks are projected to start barring a change to the injury report before kickoff. Rodgers’ top target has been DK Metcalf, who has caught 30 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown, while Shough has leaned heavily on Chris Olave, who leads the Saints with 43 catches for 580 yards and two scores.
Steelers Vs Saints By The Numbers
- Points per game: Steelers 22.8, Saints 25.3
- Total yards per game: Steelers 347.0, Saints 337.8
- Passing yards per game: Steelers 247.8, Saints 240.5
- Rushing yards per game: Steelers 99.2, Saints 97.3
- Third-down conversion rate: Steelers 32.90%, Saints 42.53%
- Red zone scoring rate: Steelers 93.33%, Saints 100.00%
- Turnover differential: Steelers +3, Saints -3
- Sacks recorded: Steelers 16, Saints 15
- Total takeaways: Steelers 10, Saints 9
Steelers Form And Outlook
Pittsburgh has won three of its last five games, including a 26-19 overtime win at Tampa Bay on Oct. 18 and a 34-22 win over Indianapolis on Oct. 11. The Steelers own a plus-3 turnover differential, the better mark between the two teams, and their defense has produced 40 passes defended through six games. Pittsburgh sits tied atop the AFC North at 4-2, alongside Cleveland and Baltimore, each also at 4-2. The Steelers’ running game has been efficient, averaging 4.6 yards per carry behind Jaylen Warren, who has 460 yards and a touchdown on 84 carries.
Saints Form And Outlook
New Orleans has alternated wins and losses over its last five outings, beating the New York Giants 34-27 on Oct. 18 after consecutive losses to Atlanta (45-24) and Minnesota (23-13). The Saints have scored 152 points this season, the fourth-highest point total of these two teams’ per-game numbers, but they have also given up the most points allowed in their division group at 178. New Orleans sits last in the NFC South race at 2-4, trailing Carolina (3-2), with the division led by Carolina’s .600 winning percentage.
Key Matchup To Watch
Pittsburgh’s pass rush against New Orleans’ offensive line could decide the game if Watt is able to play. The Steelers have totaled 16 sacks this season compared to the Saints’ offensive line allowing 13 sacks on Shough, who has been under siege with 98 sack yards lost. New Orleans converts third downs at a 42.53% clip, well above Pittsburgh’s 32.90% rate on the other side of the ball, so sustaining drives against that Steelers front will be critical for Shough and the Saints’ offense to control the game.
Players To Watch
DK Metcalf, WR, Steelers
Metcalf has caught 30 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown and remains Rodgers’ primary downfield target heading into the Paris matchup.
Chris Olave, WR, Saints
Olave leads New Orleans with 43 receptions for 580 yards and two touchdowns, giving Shough a reliable option regardless of who else is on the field.
T.J. Watt, LB, Steelers
Watt’s questionable designation with a calf injury makes him the player to track on the injury report, given his role anchoring Pittsburgh’s pass rush.
What To Watch
Pittsburgh enters tied for first in the AFC North, while New Orleans sits last in the NFC South, giving the two teams very different stakes in the NFL Paris Game. The international setting adds a layer of unfamiliarity for both sidelines, and the final injury report before kickoff will determine whether Watt, Kamara and the other questionable players are available. Both teams return to regular-season action the following week on their home schedules.
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