Talk about a wild setup! The first-ever NFL game in France is kicking off right now in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis, and yeah, that’s happening even with all the civil unrest across the country. But forget the headlines for a second, because on the field, the Pittsburgh Steelers are rolling into Stade de France looking for their third straight win, and their ground game, led by Aaron Rodgers, is about to put the New Orleans Saints’ defense to the ultimate test.
Pittsburgh’s Ground Game Is No Joke
Let’s be real, Pittsburgh has a serious edge on the ground. Running back Jaylen Warren is absolutely crushing it, clocking in with 460 rushing yards already this season, which puts him seventh in the entire NFL. He’s averaging a solid 5.5 yards per carry, and that’s something the Saints should be sweating over. Why? Because New Orleans’ defense is straight up struggling against the run, giving up a staggering 138 rushing yards per game. That’s ranked 30th in the league, folks! Yeah, 30th. It’s a huge mismatch on paper, even if the Steelers only have one rushing touchdown on the season. Warren’s setting up Rodgers for those 12 TDs, which has him fourth in the NFL, by the way. This is the kind of matchup that could turn into a bloodbath if the Saints don’t tighten things up fast.
Saints Look to Keep the Momentum Rolling
On the flip side, the New Orleans Saints are trying to build on some recent momentum. Quarterback Tyler Shough just helped them snap a brutal three-game slide with a three-touchdown performance. That’s a huge turnaround, and Shough himself has piled up 12 touchdowns on the year. It’s also worth noting that the Saints seem to do pretty well when they get out of New Orleans, boasting a 2-1 record in games played outside of the Big Easy. They’re definitely not just rolling over, especially with Shough finding his rhythm.
The Numbers Point to a High-Scoring Affair
If you’re into the betting side of things, the model is screaming “Over” on the total points for this one, currently set at 44.5. Why? Well, Pittsburgh’s offense has finally woken up, putting up at least 24 points in four straight games. The Over has cashed in all four of those. And the Saints? The Over has hit in three of their last four, with each of those games finishing with over 60 points total. So, get ready for some fireworks in Paris! Pittsburgh is favored by 3 points, with the money line at Steelers -166 and Saints +144.
This game is going to be wild, not just for the international stage, but for what it means for both teams. Can the Saints’ defense hold up against Warren and Rodgers, or will Pittsburgh prove too much to handle? The model, which has simulated every NFL game 10,000 times and is up more than $5,000 on top-rated NFL picks since 2024, is locking in that Over pick. Kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. ET from Stade de France, don’t miss it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply