The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin the Week 7 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 with 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-game winning streak or will New Orleans get one game closer to .500? Our staff weighs in on 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 seen Steelers notables like Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf talk about their frustrations playing overseas. And while the Saints are 2-4 this year, there is more talent than the numbers show. Chris Olave will 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: Again the Steelers should be considered the favorites here. Their zone tendencies on defense match up well with the weakness of opposing quarterback Tyler Shough, and the Saints don’t have a good running game to serve as a counterpunch. New Orleans’ defense is also abysmal and susceptible to the under throws favored by Rodgers. But I can’t be bothered one bit when it works. So I have to pick again against Pittsburgh. Saints 17, Steelers 14.
Joey Bray: When the schedule came out, I picked the Steelers to lose this game. The Saints are nothing like the team I thought they would be at least at this point. While they are still alive in the “gauntlet” that is the NFC South, they have real issues on defense and nothing resembling a run game.
The Steelers are the better roster on paper and are playing with 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 close to Paris. Steelers 26, Saints 23.
Mike Nicastro: The Steelers have a chance to go 5-2 against a Jekyll and Hyde Saints team that has already beaten their division rival Ravens. Tyler Shough will challenge the Steelers secondary, as Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson are both strong weapons who can attack the middle of the field. Before the season I thought it was a loss, but it feels like the Steelers have a habit of winning ugly, and this is another game where I expect it to go down to the wire. The difference is the Steelers run game compared to the Saints lack. I expect Jaylen Warren to get back on track with over 100 all purpose yards and scores. Boswell caught the game winner. Steelers 24, Saints 21.
Jason Aponte: The Saints defense gives the Steelers a chance to start their offense from the opening kickoff. In particular, the New Orleans secondary is weak. The Saints can be pesky offensively, but look for the Steelers to make enough plays on defense and return to States with another win. Steelers 27, Saints 20.
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Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers should be able to run all over the Saints defense. However, they haven’t shown a penchant for running the ball, as they rank 31st in run percentage. New Orleans’ passing game is one to watch out for. Tyler Shough has 12 touchdowns and is north of 1,400 yards on the year. I’d like to sit here and say I see the Steelers reeling off a four-game winning streak before the bye, but I don’t see them being that level of a team. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ll take New Orleans to win. Saints 26, Steelers 23.
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