The New Orleans Saints head to Paris with an opportunity to turn one important victory into something they have yet to establish this season: a winning streak.

bringing a lil New Orleans to Paris ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/OPqbMLVijr

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 23, 2026

New Orleans enters Sunday’s matchup at 2–4, coming off a 34–27 victory over the New York Giants. Pittsburgh arrives at 4–2. A Saints win would provide momentum heading into their bye week and give Kellen Moore’s team a stronger foundation for the remaining schedule. 2026 NFL Week 7

Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 8:30 a.m. Central, from Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, with New Orleans serving as the designated home team. www.neworleanssaints.com

The final-preview edition of The Sports Coma Drive Time with Big Q centers on five priorities that can turn this matchup into a workable game plan.

1. Protect the football and avoid short fields

The Saints’ first responsibility belongs to the entire offense. Tyler Shough must recognize when a throw is unavailable, runners must secure the ball through contact, and the protection unit must prevent pressure from becoming a strip-sack opportunity.

A short field gives an opposing offense room for error. It also asks a defense to protect points before it has a fair chance to make the opponent work down the field.

New Orleans should be willing to punt when a possession breaks down. A safe decision that preserves field position can be more valuable than forcing a pass or extending a scramble with the ball exposed.

Special teams share that responsibility. Secure catches, sound blocking decisions and clean exchanges can keep a manageable game from changing suddenly.

The objective: make Pittsburgh earn its scoring opportunities.

2. Make first and second down count

The Saints produced a season-high 175 rushing yards against the Giants, giving their offense something useful to build on. Pittsburgh presents a different challenge, entering this matchup allowing 103 rushing yards per game. 2026 NFL Week 7

New Orleans should use the running game to create favorable decisions on the next snap. That means identifying productive concepts and adjusting when Pittsburgh closes an avenue. It also means taking a quick completion when the defensive alignment offers a better opportunity than another crowded run.

Second-and-six keeps several options available. Second-and-twelve gives the pass rush a clearer invitation to attack.

The offensive line, backs and receivers must work together on those ordinary early-down snaps. The benefit comes later: shorter third downs, a fuller playbook and fewer obvious passing situations for Shough.

The Saints need balance that produces manageable situations throughout the afternoon.

3. Give Tyler Shough clear answers against pressure

Pittsburgh’s pass rush requires a plan before the snap. T.J. Watt has no game-status designation on the final injury report, despite appearing during the week with a calf issue. New Orleans must prepare for him to be part of the challenge. steelers.com

The Saints can help Shough by identifying pressure, communicating protection responsibilities and providing an available outlet when the defense brings an extra rusher.

Tight ends and backs can supply protection help when a matchup requires it. Quick throws and screens can punish defenders who commit too aggressively upfield.

That approach still leaves room for downfield opportunities. The Saints simply need to choose them with protection and timing in mind.

Shough threw three touchdowns against the Giants despite finishing with 144 passing yards. That performance illustrates the value of converting the opportunities an offense receives. 2026 NFL Week 7

New Orleans needs decisive reads, accurate throws and protection calls that everyone understands.

4. Limit explosive plays and tackle through the finish

Against Aaron Rodgers, the Saints should expect their coverage discipline to be tested. The defensive front must apply pressure without creating easy escape lanes, while the secondary must communicate through motion and changes in formation.

A sound defensive call can still fail when one player loses leverage or assumes a teammate has the tackle.

The first defender should slow the ball carrier. The next must arrive ready to finish. Defenders also need to recognize where their help is coming from and avoid turning a short completion into a long gain.

The same discipline applies against the run. Maintain gap responsibilities, establish firm edges and force the ball toward help. Overpursuit can create the cutback lane the defense was supposed to eliminate.

Make Pittsburgh sustain possessions. Each additional snap creates another opportunity for the Saints to produce a stop. An explosive play can erase those opportunities in seconds.

5. Finish drives—and close the game with discipline

The Saints need touchdowns when they create quality red-zone opportunities. Route spacing, protection and execution become especially important as the field compresses and throwing windows shrink.

They must also avoid the mistakes that make those opportunities harder: a false start, a holding penalty or a sack taken while waiting too long for a play to develop.

Closing the game requires the same attention.

New Orleans must manage the clock, preserve useful timeouts and understand when another first down offers the best path to protecting a lead.

The defense has its own finishing responsibilities. A third-down stop must be completed without a late hit or coverage penalty that restores the possession. When a tackle can end a drive, defenders have to finish it.

The final possession deserves the same preparation and discipline as the opening series.

Availability update ahead of kickoff

The Saints’ Friday report listed Cesar Ruiz (knee) and Nathan Shepherd (illness/rest) as questionable. Shough, Alvin Kamara and Kaden Elliss had no game-status designation. neworleanssaints.com

Ruiz’s availability matters to protection continuity, while Shepherd’s status affects the defensive line rotation.

Pittsburgh ruled out Brandin Echols and Ben Skowronek. Rico Dowdle and DeShon Elliott were listed as questionable Friday. neworleanssaints.com

Saturday update: The Steelers activated Elliott from injured reserve on October 24. Fans should still check Sunday’s official inactive lists for final game-day availability. steelers.com

Can New Orleans put it together?

The Saints have a workable path to victory if they protect possessions and keep their offense out of predictable situations.

That starts with useful early-down gains, continues with clear protection answers for Shough, and depends on a defense that makes Pittsburgh work for points.

The real test is connecting those responsibilities for four quarters. A productive opening loses value when penalties, missed tackles or empty red-zone possessions undo it late.

Big Q’s five-key framework keeps the focus on those details. Execute them consistently, and the Saints give themselves a credible chance to leave France with consecutive victories.

Who Dat Nation: What is your final score prediction, which player needs to break out, and which of these five keys concerns you most? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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