Aaron Rodgers surpassed Peyton Manning for third in NFL history with his 540th touchdown pass, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in the league’s first regular-season game played in Paris, France.
Jaylen Warren and the Ground Game Control Tempo at Stade de France
Playing before a crowd of 78,488 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, the Steelers relied heavily on running back Jaylen Warren to dictate the pace. Warren carried the ball 18 times for 101 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, while adding three receptions for 36 yards. Backup running back Rico Dowdle chipped in with nine carries for 41 yards and six catches for 45 yards.
The offensive line paved the way for 148 total rushing yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. That rushing success culminated on the game’s final possession, when Pittsburgh bled the final 5:52 off the clock with an 11-play, 49-yard drive that sealed the win.
Go inside the Steelers win over the SaintsThe run game was one of the big differenceshttps://t.co/Nq8n1Frja0 pic.twitter.com/oKuQJ2dLXJ
Prior to the historic international matchup, the French capital had established deep historical roots tied to the visiting franchise. French explorers founded the city of La Nouvelle-Orléans
in 1718 before selling the territory to the United States in 1803 for $15 million. The venue itself, located just outside the central arrondissements in Saint-Denis, previously hosted the 1998 World Cup final and the closing ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Aaron Rodgers Makes History and Secures the Victory
Rodgers finished the day completing 19 of 30 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown. His milestone-setting strike went to 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end Darnell Washington for a 4-yard score over cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, pushing the Steelers ahead 10-3 in the first half. Earlier on that drive, Rodgers connected with DK Metcalf on a 51-yard deep post route.
Aaron Rodgers threw one touchdown pass and Chris Boswell kicked three field goals in Pittsburgh’s 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in the NFL’s first regular-season game in France. https://t.co/mRx1pi0gOe
With the game on the line late in the fourth quarter, the 42-year-old quarterback made his presence felt with his legs. Facing a third-and-6 from the Saints’ 34-yard line just before the two-minute warning, Rodgers scrambled for an 8-yard gain into an empty defensive zone to move the chains.
Sometimes you’ve got to suck it up and make a play for your guys. I think because I am so much less athletic than I used to be, it actually fires up the guys even more.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Payton Wilson Interception and Defensive Front Stifle New Orleans
New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough completed an efficient 30 of 38 passes for 278 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but the Saints struggled to generate any ground momentum, finishing with just 18 rushing yards on 17 carries. Alvin Kamara was held to six carries for five yards, while Kendre Miller managed eight carries for six yards.
The turning point defensively came in the third quarter. With the Saints threatening in the red zone while trailing 13-10, Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson stepped in front of a short pass intended for Chris Olave to halt the drive. Linebacker Patrick Queen anchored the defense with a team-high 10 tackles. Along the defensive front, Keeanu Benton contributed a batted pass and two tackles for loss.
Travel and Security Amid Capital Unrest
The historic matchup took place against a backdrop of tight security following severe urban unrest across France in the preceding days. While the U.S. State Department issued security alerts and the Steelers canceled a fan event in the Bastille neighborhood, visiting fans and players reported that their immediate surroundings remained calm. Lifelong friends and Saints fans Sindhu Pandit, Shruti Menon, and Pramod Menon noted they never felt the game would be canceled, praising local hospitality. Steelers fan Sean Warner similarly described a wonderful experience walking around Paris with his wife, Saroja.
Rodgers noted ahead of kickoff that the league would not have proceeded if conditions were genuinely hazardous. The NFL confirmed there was no disruption or impact at any official team sites.
If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
The win improves the Steelers’ record to 5-2 as they prepare to host the Cleveland Browns before a Week 9 bye. The Saints fall to 2-5 ahead of their bye week, having also sustained injuries including a concussion to safety Justin Reid and a shoulder injury to running back CJ Donaldson.
Aaron Rodgers and Payton Wilson postgame presser after win in Paris against Saints #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/06YtJku1DV
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STEELERS CLAIM PARIS AND MOVE TO 5–2! 🇫🇷🏈The @steelers held off a late @Saints surge to claim a historic win in the NFL’s first-ever game in Paris! Aaron Rodgers controlled the game through the air, finishing 19/30 for 212 YDS and 1 TD. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense… pic.twitter.com/7cHJTlZwAD
