NFL Week 7 Live: Steelers Beat Saints 16-10 in First Paris Regular-Season Game Amid Protests

The Guardian Sport · 2026-10-25
NFL Week 7 Live: Steelers Beat Saints 16-10 in First Paris Regular-Season Game Amid Protests

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 on Sunday in the first NFL regular-season game ever played in Paris, delivering a milestone moment for the league's international expansion. The game unfolded in a calm and festive atmosphere, according to reports, just one day after more than 100,000 people took to the streets of the French capital in fresh demonstrations. The contrast between the protests and the controlled environment inside the stadium underscored the complexities of staging high-profile American sporting events abroad. For the Steelers, the victory improved their record and kept them in the mix in a competitive AFC North, while the Saints fell further behind in the NFC South. Quarterback play was decisive, with Pittsburgh's offense doing enough to secure the win despite not lighting up the scoreboard. The game also served as a showcase for the NFL's global ambitions, following successful contests in London, Munich, and Mexico City. Beyond the score, the Paris game highlighted the league's strategy to grow its fan base overseas, even amid local political tensions. The fact that the event proceeded smoothly despite the protests may encourage the NFL to schedule more games in France. For fans and analysts, the bigger question remains whether the Steelers and Saints can translate this unique experience into sustained success as the season progresses. With Week 7 now underway, attention turns to other key matchups, including the 49ers-Falcons, Colts-Vikings, and Bengals-Ravens games, as teams jockey for playoff positioning. The international stage has set a dramatic tone for the rest of the weekend.