Steelers vs. Saints in Paris: How to watch, kickoff time and storylines from the NFL's first game in France

American football has arrived in the City of Light. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are playing the NFL’s first game in France on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just outside Paris. The game kicked off at 9:30 a.m. ET, making it the first NFL game of the day in the U.S.

Update (6:45 PM ET): Final: Steelers 16, Saints 10. Pittsburgh won the NFL’s first regular-season game in France before 78,488 fans at Stade de France, according to The Associated Press and the Saints’ official site. Aaron Rodgers went 19 of 30 for 212 yards and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Washington. Chris Boswell kicked three field goals, from 28, 47 and 39 yards. AP lists the last one at 39 yards, while the Saints’ recap says 38. Jaylen Warren ran for 101 yards on 18 carries. With the Saints driving early in the third quarter, linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted Tyler Shough in the red zone. Shough finished 30 of 38 for 278 yards, with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele. New Orleans ran for just 18 yards on 17 carries, and Daniel Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Steelers are now 5-2 and host Cleveland next. The Saints fall to 2-5 and have a bye.

Live score (as of about 10:25 a.m. ET): The game was tied 3-3 in the second quarter, according to ESPN. Chris Boswell kicked a 28-yard field goal for Pittsburgh in the first quarter, and Daniel Carlson answered with a 38-yard field goal for New Orleans early in the second. This post will not track every play, so check a live scoreboard for the latest.

What channel is the Steelers game on?

NFL.com lists NFL Network and NFL+ as the ways to watch, and CBS Sports lists Fubo as a streaming option. Before the game, DraftKings had the Steelers as 2.5-point favorites with an over/under of 42.5, according to CBS Sports.

Why the NFL in Paris matters

This is a new country for the league’s international series. NFL.com notes that the Saints are the only team with NFL marketing rights in France, and their city has long historical ties to the country. The Saints are the designated home team, according to the team’s game center.

For Pittsburgh, it is another chance to make history abroad. CBS Sports noted that the Steelers became the first team to win a regular-season game in Ireland a year ago.

The two teams took very different paths to Paris. The Saints landed on Monday, six days before the game, CBS Sports reported. The Steelers took a red-eye from Pittsburgh and didn’t arrive until early Friday, then had to cancel practice because of bad weather. CBS Sports expected about 60 degrees at kickoff, with wind around 15 mph.

Key storylines: Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren and the Saints’ run defense

Aaron Rodgers keeps rolling

The 42-year-old quarterback has been playing more like his younger self lately, according to CBS Sports. Over Pittsburgh’s last two games, he has completed 68.8% of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception, and the Steelers have won both. CBS Sports also reported that Rodgers is the first quarterback to play in an international game in a different country in three straight seasons. NFL.com called him by far the most accomplished player on the field.

Early on, Rodgers was 8 of 11 for 65 yards in the second quarter, according to ESPN’s live stats.

Jaylen Warren against a leaky run defense

Running the ball was the clearest early edge for Pittsburgh. Entering the game, the Saints ranked 30th in the league in rushing yards allowed (828) and 32nd in rushing touchdowns allowed (11), CBS Sports said.

Warren broke a 29-yard run on the game’s second play. After the first quarter, he had 57 yards on seven carries, while the Saints had just six rushing yards on three carries. CBS Sports reported that Warren and Rico Dowdle accounted for 92 of Pittsburgh’s first 103 yards. Dowdle was active despite being listed as questionable with a knee injury.

Which Tyler Shough shows up?

CBS Sports described the Saints quarterback’s second season as a roller coaster. He opened with three strong games, then had two weak ones. In last week’s win over the Giants, which snapped a three-game losing streak, he completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Wide receiver Chris Olave has been New Orleans’ best offensive player this season.

In Paris, Shough hit Barion Brown for a 49-yard gain in the second quarter to set up the Saints’ field goal. T.J. Watt sacked him on that drive to force the kick.

Defense and lineup notes

CBS Sports said Pittsburgh’s defense entered the game among the league’s best on third down and in the red zone. The Steelers activated safety DeShon Elliott, who hadn’t played since a knee injury five games into the 2025 season. Cornerback Brandin Echols was inactive.

The Saints’ inactives included guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (illness).

Steelers vs. Saints prediction

CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArdo picked Pittsburgh to win 27-20. He pointed to the Saints’ defensive problems and the Steelers’ improving offense, as long as Pittsburgh protects the ball and finishes drives in the red zone.

FAQ