The New Orleans Saints are heading into their first international game of the Kellen Moore era, and the setup points in one clear direction: if they’re going to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, it probably won’t be by airing it out.
That’s not exactly a comfortable assignment against a Steelers defense that has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Pittsburgh ranks seventh in passing yards allowed per game, giving up just 204 through the air per game, and the pass rush has been just as punishing.
The Steelers are fourth in the NFL with 19 sacks through six weeks, which puts real pressure on a Saints offense that has already had trouble protecting Tyler Shough. He is on pace for the most hits taken since at least 2006.
So if New Orleans wants a real shot, the cleaner lane is on the ground.
That’s where the Saints see their best opening. Pittsburgh’s run defense has been far more vulnerable than its coverage unit, allowing 103 rushing yards per game. That number sits close to league average and only six yards above the Saints’ own rushing average, which makes the matchup look a lot more workable for New Orleans after its best run game showing of the season.
The bigger question is whether Kellen Moore can keep it rolling.
He found something for about 15 minutes against the Giants, mixing personnel and formations well enough to get the offense moving. But the challenge now is consistency.
The Saints need that kind of approach to last for four quarters, not just one burst. If Moore can sustain it, New Orleans has a path to control the game the same way it did in the third quarter last week.
And if the run game is truly humming, the rest of the offense can follow. An effective ground attack would force the Steelers’ linebackers and safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, which is when the Saints’ passing game would have a chance to create bigger plays. That’s the formula New Orleans needs on the international stage: keep the run game honest, make Pittsburgh react, and turn that pressure into explosive opportunities.
The margin here is tight. The Saints don’t need to overwhelm the Steelers on the ground, but they do need to make that small advantage matter. And it all comes back to whether Moore can keep feeding it long enough to finish the job.
In Other News...
Saints Face A Brutal Tyler Shough Test They Cant Ignore
Tyler Shough has given the Saints enough flashes as a passer to make the future look intriguing, but the bigger question has always been what happens once the pocket starts collapsing. The issue has followed him from college into the NFL, and it puts a clear spotlight on New Orleans protection up front, especially at tackle and with Asim Richards among the linemen expected to help stabilize that group.
Sundays matchup with the Steelers is a tough place to find answers. Pittsburgh brings a defense built to speed quarterbacks up and disrupt timing, which is why Kellen Moore is expected to lean on quicker throws to help Shough stay on schedule. Even so, this feels like the kind of game that will say a lot about how far the Saints have come in protecting their quarterback, and how much work still remains. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Running Game Just Drew An Ugly Giants Response
The Saints Week 6 win in New York did more than add another mark in the standings. It also sparked a blunt postgame assessment from Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who made clear he was unhappy with the way his defense handled the run. Wilson singled out effort as the biggest issue, saying players who do not get to the ball are letting the unit down, and he indicated the response to that kind of performance will not be gentle.
For New Orleans, the takeaway is simple enough: the ground game exposed a soft spot that has been a problem for the Giants all season. Their run defense has lingered near the bottom of the league in several categories, and Wilson is now trying to force a reset before the next stretch of games. Whether that message translates into cleaner tackling and better pursuit is the next question, but it is clear the Saints left behind a frustrated opponent as well as a win. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Paris Game Is Becoming Something Much Bigger For Louisiana
Jeff Landrys trip to Paris for the Saints game on Oct. 25 is turning into more than a football stop. The Louisiana governor is joining the New Orleans-based team overseas as part of a push to draw French business to the state, and he is doing it with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development in tow. The agenda includes meetings and seminars aimed at showcasing Louisianas economic openings, with particular attention on the power grid and healthcare sectors.
The state also is leaning on familiar branding to make its pitch, bringing back the Louisiana NOW pavilion that had been used during the New Orleans Super Bowl. It gives Louisiana a ready-made stage to connect with French business leaders during a week when plenty of eyes will already be on the Saints. For Landry, the game itself is only part of the opportunity, with the larger goal centered on turning an international sports trip into an economic one. [Read more 🡒]