The Pittsburgh Steelers will kickoff the Week 7 Sunday slate with the NFL’s first game in Paris when they take on the New Orleans Saints. Pittsburgh is coming off its biggest fourth-quarter comeback win in 34 years in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Saints got their second win over the New York Giants. Will the Steelers make it three straight wins or will New Orleans get one game closer to .500? Our staff weighs in with our picks.
Ryland Bickley: Are the Steelers the better team here?
I think so. But international games can put teams in a funk, and we’ve already seen prominent Steelers such as Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf talk about their frustrations playing overseas. And while the Saints are 2-4 this year, there’s more talent than the numbers show. Chris Olave is going to be a challenge for the Pittsburgh secondary. I’m expecting a bit of a shootout, with New Orleans eking out a win. Saints 31, Steelers 28. Ryan Parish: Once again the Steelers should be considered the favorites here. Their zone tendencies on defense align well with the weakness of opposing quarterback Tyler Shough, and the Saints don’t have a good running game to serve as a counterpunch. The New Orleans defense is also abysmal and susceptible to the underneath throws Rodgers favors. But I will not bust a good bit when it’s been working. So I must again pick against Pittsburgh. Saints 17, Steelers 14. Joey Bray: When the schedule came out, I had picked the Steelers to lose this game. The Saints have not looked like the team I thought they would be at least to this point. While they are still alive in the “gauntlet” that is the NFC South, they have real issues defensively and no semblance of a run game. The Steelers are the better roster on paper and are playing with some confidence after their 4-2 start. Things get weird in international games, but I have a hard time believing this Saints defense will have enough to stop Jaylen Warren in the run game and the short passing attack with Germie Bernard. I’ll take Pittsburgh to win a close one in Paris. Steelers 26, Saints 23. Mike Nicastro: The Steelers have a chance to get to 5-2 against a Jekyll and Hyde Saints team that’s already defeated their division rival Ravens. Tyler Shough will challenge the Steelers secondary, as Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson are both strong weapons that can attack the middle of the field. Prior to the season I thought this would be a loss, but it feels like the Steelers have a habit of winning ugly, and this is another game where that I anticipate going down to the wire. The difference will be the Steelers run game versus the Saints lack thereof. I anticipate Jaylen Warren getting back on track with over 100 all purpose yards and a score. Boswell bangs home the game winner late. Steelers 24, Saints 21. Jason Aponte: The Saints defense provides an opportunity for the Steelers to jumpstart their offense from the opening kickoff. In particular, New Orleans’ secondary is vulnerable. The saints can be pesky offensively, but look for the Steelers to make enough plays on defense and return to the States with another win. Steelers 27, Saints 20.
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers should be able to run all over the Saints’ run defense. However, they haven’t shown the propensity to run the ball, as they rank 31st in run percentage. New Orleans’ passing game is one to pay attention to. Tyler Shough has 12 touchdowns and north of 1,400 yards on the year. I’d love to sit here and say I see the Steelers rattling off four straight wins ahead of the bye, but I don’t see them as that tier of team. Hopefully I’m wrong, but I’ll take New Orleans to win. Saints 26, Steelers 23.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
- Steelers to debut new uniform combo in Paris game vs. Saints
- Steelers keys to victory vs. Saints: Get Jaylen Warren the ball
- Steelers to take things slow with DeShon Elliott
- Germie Bernard’s production is here to stay for the Steelers
- Steelers’ T.J. Watt limited with calf injury
