By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PARIS, FRANCE–The NFL International Series has proven to be a successful venture as its objective is to grow American football into a global sport, expand the league’s fan base, and increase international media and commercial revenue. August 12, 1950, where the New York Giants defeated the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Rough Riders 27–6 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, Canada. From there, it has expanded to the United Kingdom (in place since 2007), Australia, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and France. Between 2016 and 2022, the series also intermittently included games played in Mexico.
And on October 25, 2026, the NFL agreed to have a game in Paris, France and invited the Pittsburgh Steelers to face the New Orleans Saints for their inaugural game. And although the Saints were the designated ‘home’ team at Stade de France, it was the Steelers who emerged as 16-10 victors to improve their record to 5-2.
“I think the most important thing is you have a chance to travel as a team, and the challenge of being on the road is always exciting,” said Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. “But this is special. I think everything that goes into this game, first time playing in France and Paris, so it definitely brings a special feel to it. But I think it’s really good for your team. You have a chance to get on the road, and the challenge of Thursday night, Friday. So, we feel very good about what we accomplished today.”
The Steelers never trailed once in the game and began the scoring when K Chris Boswell kicked the first of his 3 field goals to give his team a 3-0 lead. After Saints K Daniel Carlson tied the game with a FG of his own, the Steelers would score the game’s first TD as QB Aaron Rodgers (19/30, 212 yards, TD) found TE Darnell Washington in the end zone to extend their lead to 10-3.
But the Saints would tie the game once again as QB Tyler Shough (30/38, 273 yards, TD, INT) would find WR Devaughn Vele for a 1-yard TD pass. But Boswell and the Steelers maintained the upper hand as his 2nd FG gave them a 13-10 lead as time expired in the first half. Boswell would make it 16-10 in the 3rd quarter.
The Saints (2-5) attempted one last successful scoring drive, but Shough’s attempted pass was intercepted by Steelers LB Preston Wilson who returned it 18 yards. “It was huge. Took points off the board. So big play. They were doing a very good job with the underneath completion game. So, Payton just keeps getting stronger and stronger. I think you see our defense, and Payton’s a good example, the connection and the guys are more and more comfortable each week with our scheme adjustments that we’re doing. So obviously it was a huge play in the game,” said McCarthy.
The Steelers then controlled the clock with the successful running of RBs Jaylen Warren (18 Carries, 101 yards) and Rico Dowdle (9 carries, 41 yards) As a team, the Steelers rushed for 148 yards on 30 carries.
“I think today you saw what training camp looked like. You obviously were at training camp and how we like to play. But yes, I think anytime we can just line up and give you Jaylen and Rico all day, that’s a good day for us,” said McCarthy. We felt as a football team that we needed to own the line of scrimmage on both sides. We felt that going through the game-plan process that that was going to be an important factor in the game. We definitely hit the target there. Specifically, about the offensive line, they’re young. They’re getting consecutive starts. So, this is another game that we can build off of. Finally, we were able to get our rushes up to 30. That was a goal to get the rush attempts up. So very excited to see us take that step.”
The Steelers also benefitted from the many fans who crossed the Atlantic Ocean to root for their team “I think going on the road is definitely an advantage for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has been for quite some time,” said McCarthy. “But I saw a lot of Saints fans there. I just want to give credit to the whole atmosphere. It was fun. The music was phenomenal. The fan engagement was excellent. You never get enough of seeing the Terrible Towels flying, especially in key moments of the game. Our fans always show up. But I just thought the whole atmosphere, the field, the stadium, just impressive, top-notch. It’s been a joy to play here.”
The Steelers will now return to the States and to Pittsburgh to begin preparation of one of the biggest rematches against the Cleveland Browns since the 1994 season as both 5-2 teams will meet at Acrisure Stadium with first place on the line.
“My thought about the Browns? We need to beat them. They got us once. It’s a rival game for us,” McCarthy commented. “We’re looking forward to playing them at home. But they’re a good football team. It was a very intense rival game, like you would expect it, so we’re definitely looking forward to playing them. But we’re going to enjoy this.”
Notes: McCarthy on the civil unrest in Paris: “I wouldn’t say it overshadowed the game at all. I know a lot of our team had personal — had their families and friends here. But I know everybody really enjoyed Friday. But just with the uncertainty of Saturday, we kind of stayed close to the hotel. But France is a beautiful place. This is my first time here. Would love the opportunity to some day to come back and enjoy it. My wife loves Paris, but it’s a beautiful country.”
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