The New Orleans Saints were defeated 16-10 by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday to fall to 2-5. The Saints were hosts to the first game ever in Paris, and unfortunately couldn’t take advantage of the occasion. Not a lot looked good for the Saints in the loss, and there are a lot more questions than answers.
Up: WR Barion Brown
After recording his first NFL reception last week, Barion Brown followed it up with a 3-reception, 57-yard game. Brown was also a factor as a returner, returning a punt for 20 yards and a kick
for 42 yards.
With Jordyn Tyson eyeing a potential return after the bye week, the Saints wide receiver depth is hoping to make an impact to earn playtime. With Brown continuing to be a factor and making plays, his snap count may continue to rise despite the return of the team’s eighth overall pick.
Down: Run Game
I mean, come on. Are we serious? The Saints’ run game on Sunday may be the worst I’ve seen in a long time, possibly ever. New Orleans rushed 17 times for 18 yards, with running backs averaging 0.8 yards per carry. This isn’t just a problem at this point; it is becoming an emergency. Even 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers rushed for more yards than any single Saints player.
The Saints’ run game has been a problem since last season, and they’ve poured money into fixing it this offseason. David Edwards has been serviceable at best, and Travis Etienne hasn’t been healthy. But worst of all, the Saints’ run design is plain bad. Running backs are rushing for 0.0 yards before contact, and they have no chance.
Worst of all for New Orleans, their run defense wasn’t able to slow down Pittsburgh at all. The Steelers rushed for 130 more yards than the Saints and dominated the trenches. New Orleans had a major problem last season, and it has failed to improve through seven weeks of the 2026 season.
Down: Kellen Moore
Kellen Moore bought himself some more time after the win over the New York Giants, but a slow and boring loss against the Steelers, where the Saints were totally dominated, keeps him on the hot seat. The Saints are undisciplined, and Moore can’t adjust. The locker room is close to breaking, and the Saints aren’t far off from looking for their next head coach.
Moore may survive the bye week and into the home game against the Cleveland Browns, but another loss, especially in similar fashion in Paris, and the Saints will likely have an interim head coach for the rest of the season.
