Preview: Saints vs. Steelers · prediction, injury report, analysis

The New Orleans Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 of the NFL season on Sunday, October 25 at 9:30am ET at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

The Saints (2-4) sit third in the NFC South, while the Steelers (4-2) are second in the AFC North.

Match preview

This is the first regular-season NFL game in France, with the Saints serving as the designated home team. New Orleans arrives at 2-4 on a one-game winning streak, after a 34-27 win over the Giants in Week 6 ended a three-game skid.

The Saints score 25.3 points per game (152 in six games) but concede 29.7 (178). Before beating the Giants, they lost 23-13 to the Vikings, 45-24 to the Falcons and 35-27 to the Raiders.

They have yet to win at home this season (0-3). Away from New Orleans they are 2-1, with wins over the Ravens (24-17) and the Giants.

Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough is playing through broken bones in his non-throwing hand. According to NFL.com, he has thrown five interceptions against zone coverage, tied for the second-most in the league.

The Steelers are 4-2, half a game off the AFC North lead, and have won two in a row. They beat Tampa Bay 26-19 after Aaron Rodgers led a comeback from 13 down, and beat the Colts 34-22 the week before.

Pittsburgh averages 22.8 points (137) and allows 21.3 (128), a better defensive mark than New Orleans. Both of its losses came on the road: 27-24 in Cleveland and 20-3 against the Patriots.

The Steelers are 1-2 away from home, compared with 3-0 at home. They flew overnight and landed in Paris early on Friday morning.

Rodgers is 42 and in his 22nd and final NFL season. DK Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard are carrying a heavier load in a receiving group hit hard by injuries.

NFL.com notes that Pittsburgh has played zone on 82.8% of opposing dropbacks. Five of the team's six interceptions have come in that coverage.

In the series, the Saints won three of the last four regular-season meetings: 20-10 in 2010, 35-32 in 2014 and 31-28 in 2018. The Steelers won the most recent one, 20-10 in November 2022. Both teams are off next week.

Injury report

For the first time this season, the Saints did not rule anyone out before a game. Right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd (illness) are questionable. If Ruiz cannot go, rookie Jeremiah Wright would step in after a solid showing against the Giants. Linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf) is expected to play after a full practice on Friday, having missed three games.

Rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) remains on injured reserve and could return in Week 9. Kicker Daniel Carlson is back with the team.

The Steelers have ruled out wide receiver Ben Skowronek (calf) and cornerback Brandin Echols (hamstring). Running back Rico Dowdle (knee) and safety DeShon Elliott (knee) are questionable. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Jalen Ramsey all practiced fully on Friday and carry no designation. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson are on injured reserve.