Saints vs Steelers: Paris, Je t’aime! NFL heads to France for historic showdown

By Simon Carroll

The NFL is packing its bags for the City of Light, and it is bringing two heavyweight names along for the ride. The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers meet at the Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, for the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France. With a passionate crowd, an iconic setting and plenty at stake for both teams, this is one occasion that deserves more than a passing ‘bonjour’.

For Boyle Sports, it is also the perfect excuse to add a little extra spice to the occasion. Whether you fancy the black and yellow of Pittsburgh or the black and gold of New Orleans, there is plenty to get your teeth into before the action kicks off. Just remember: while the French might be famous for their fine dining, neither defense will be particularly interested in serving up easy courses.

The Saints: Can New Orleans find its joie de vivre?

New Orleans arrives in Paris looking to build on a much-needed 34-27 victory over the New York Giants, a result that ended a three-game losing streak. At 2-4, the Saints have plenty of ground to make up, but their latest performance offered some encouragement that their offense can cause problems when it finds its rhythm.

The challenge for head coach Kellen Moore is making sure that momentum survives the transatlantic trip. The Saints have been capable of putting points on the board, averaging 25.3 per game through their first six contests, but their defense has been a different story. Conceding 29.7 points per game is hardly the recipe for a relaxing afternoon beside the Seine, and Pittsburgh will be keen to exploit those weaknesses.

New Orleans needs to establish some control on offense, protect the football and avoid allowing the Steelers to dictate proceedings. If the Saints can turn this into a contest in which their offense keeps moving the chains, they have a chance of making their first visit to France a memorable one. If their defense continues to leak points, however, they could find themselves wishing they had packed a few extra croissants for comfort.

The Steelers: Pittsburgh looking to lay down the law

Pittsburgh travels to France with a 4-2 record and reason to feel confident. The Steelers have been the more consistent side across the opening six weeks, and their defense has been a major factor. Allowing just 21.3 points per game, they have been considerably tougher to break down than their opponents this weekend.

The Steelers’ defensive front will be looking to make life uncomfortable for the Saints, particularly if New Orleans struggles to get its running game going. Disrupting the timing of the offense and forcing difficult passing situations could quickly turn the pressure up on Moore’s side. Pittsburgh will also know that making the most of any turnovers could prove decisive in a game between teams with contrasting defensive records.

There is plenty of experience and pedigree in the Pittsburgh ranks, too. This is a franchise with six Super Bowl titles, and its supporters will expect the team to treat this historic fixture as an opportunity to make a statement rather than simply enjoy the Parisian scenery. A win would strengthen the Steelers’ position at 5-2 and send them into the next stretch of the season with real momentum.

American football in France: More than a passing fancy

While the NFL’s arrival in Paris is a first, American football is not a completely foreign concept to French sports fans. The sport has developed a following in France over several decades, with domestic clubs and organised competitions helping to build a community well beyond the reach of the NFL’s international series.

The country has also produced players who have pursued careers in American football, while the French national team has competed on the international stage. Rugby’s popularity means that French audiences are already familiar with hard contact, tactical kicking and the importance of controlling territory, even if the NFL’s complex playbooks and stop-start rhythm offer something rather different.

Now, the league gets to showcase its product at the Stade de France, a venue better known to many for football, rugby and major international sporting occasions. An NFL regular-season game in Paris is another significant step in the league’s international expansion, and a strong atmosphere could help make this more than a one-off curiosity. For the players, it is a chance to be part of history; for fans, it is an opportunity to enjoy a little American football with a French twist.

Where could this game be won?

The key matchup is likely to be Pittsburgh’s defense against the New Orleans offense. The Steelers have been the more reliable unit, while the Saints have struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard. If Pittsburgh can generate pressure without committing too many players to the blitz, it could force New Orleans into the kind of mistakes that change games.

On the other side of the ball, the Saints must find a way to slow down a Pittsburgh team that does not necessarily need to produce spectacular numbers to win. The Steelers have averaged 22.8 points per game, so they are not exactly lighting up the scoreboard every week. However, their defense gives them a solid platform, and they have generally been better equipped to grind out results when games become tight.

New Orleans’ recent win should give the team some belief, but Pittsburgh looks the more balanced outfit on paper. The Saints will need to make their opportunities count, particularly in the red zone, while the Steelers will be hoping to turn their defensive advantage into points. Expect a contest in which field position, turnovers and the occasional big play could matter just as much as offensive fireworks.

Add a little extra with Boyle Sports

A historic NFL game in Paris calls for something special, and Boyle Sports has a couple of offers worth knowing about ahead of Saints vs Steelers.

New UK customers can get £30 in free bets when they join and bet £10, subject to the promotion’s terms and conditions. It is an opportunity for eligible new customers to get involved in the NFL action, with the usual qualification requirements applying.

There is also a 25% Bet Builder Boost available for the Saints vs Steelers matchup. A Bet Builder lets you combine selections from the same game into one bet, giving you the chance to put together a prediction that reflects how you think the contest will unfold. The boost adds 25% to the qualifying return, subject to the offer’s rules, so check the full terms before placing your bet.

For this promotion, the advertised conditions include a minimum total price of 3/1, a maximum stake of £20 and a maximum payout of £1,000. The boost applies to qualifying singles, with one bet per match, and is paid after settlement. The new-customer free-bet offer has separate eligibility and qualifying requirements, so make sure you read those carefully before opting in.

Whether you expect the Steelers to impose themselves or the Saints to deliver a surprise in the French capital, this is a fixture with plenty of angles to explore. Just remember to keep it fun, set a budget and never stake more than you can afford to lose.

Allez les Saints? Vive les Steelers? On Sunday, Paris gets to decide.

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply  18+. UK/IRE, online only. Min odds 3/1. Max stake £/€20. One bet per match. Boost paid after settlement. Max payout £/€1,000. Singles only. Free, void & cashed-out bets excluded. Acc/payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

Lead Writer, Head of Content

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, COVERS THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION and is A college football writer for dazn.

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