Steelers have more than international travel to worry about against the Saints

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading overseas this week with some momentum on their side. Back-to-back wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have improved Pittsburgh’s record to 4-2, and Sunday’s dramatic overtime victory in Tampa may have provided the confidence boost this team needed.

However, the Steelers won’t have much time to celebrate. Their next opponent, the New Orleans Saints, awaits them in Paris for the NFL’s first regular-season game in France. And while New Orleans enters the matchup with a 2-4 record, there are several reasons Pittsburgh shouldn’t take the Saints lightly.

The international travel, unusual kickoff time and adjustments to the team’s normal preparation schedule are obvious storylines. But when looking beyond the logistics, the Saints present some challenges that could expose several of the same issues the Steelers have been trying to correct throughout the first six games.

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The Saints are better offensively than their record suggests

At first glance, a matchup between a 4-2 Steelers team and a 2-4 Saints squad might appear favorable for Pittsburgh. However, New Orleans has been far more productive offensively than its overall record indicates.

The Saints enter Week 7 averaging 25.3 points per game, ranking tenth in the NFL. That’s more than Pittsburgh’s 22.8 points per contest, despite the Steelers having twice as many wins. New Orleans also ranks eighth in third-down conversion percentage at 42.5%, while Pittsburgh sits 28th at 32.9%.

Perhaps the most concerning difference is in the red zone. The Saints have scored touchdowns on 16 of their 19 red-zone possessions, an impressive 84.2% success rate. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has converted only eight of its 15 red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, a rate of 53.3%.

Those numbers could become particularly important if Sunday’s game turns into a close contest. The Steelers have relied on their defense to keep opponents from finishing drives, including last weekend when Tampa Bay settled for field goals rather than putting the game out of reach. Against New Orleans, that approach could be considerably more difficult to sustain.

New Orleans has weapons capable of creating problems

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has thrown for 1,443 yards and 12 touchdowns through six games, completing 65.1% of his passes. He is coming off a performance against the New York Giants in which he threw three touchdown passes and added another score on the ground.

Wide receiver Chris Olave is another player Pittsburgh will need to account for throughout the afternoon. Olave has already accumulated 580 receiving yards, ranking second in the NFL entering Week 7, while tight end Juwan Johnson has contributed three touchdown receptions.

And then there’s Alvin Kamara, who remains a threat as both a runner and receiver. Although Kamara hasn’t necessarily dominated opposing defenses on the ground this season, his versatility gives New Orleans another way to attack Pittsburgh’s linebackers and secondary.

Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham acknowledged Monday that Saints head coach Kellen Moore does an excellent job of creating conflicts for defenders through formations, run-pass options and other offensive concepts. Graham also pointed to New Orleans’ ability to operate without a huddle, something Pittsburgh will need to prepare for after encountering tempo against Tampa Bay.

The Steelers have made noticeable improvements defensively over their last two games, particularly against the run. But Sunday’s matchup will test whether those improvements can carry over against an offense that has been considerably more effective at finishing drives.

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Pittsburgh’s third-down problems haven’t disappeared

For all the positives surrounding the Steelers’ recent victories, the offense continues to struggle in an area that head coach Mike McCarthy has repeatedly identified as a priority.

Pittsburgh’s inability to consistently convert manageable third downs has become a recurring problem. McCarthy discussed the issue again Monday, specifically referencing third-and-one through third-and-six situations where the Steelers have failed to extend possessions.

What’s particularly frustrating is that Pittsburgh has frequently done enough on first and second down to create favorable opportunities. The offense simply hasn’t been able to capitalize on them with enough regularity.

Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio explained that the issues aren’t necessarily tied to one particular problem. Protection breakdowns, receivers failing to get open quickly enough and occasional play-calling decisions have all contributed to the inconsistency.

Interestingly, the Steelers have occasionally found more success in obvious passing situations. Against Tampa Bay, Aaron Rodgers converted several third-and-long opportunities, including a third-and-13 completion to DK Metcalf. Angelichio noted that defenses often play different coverages in those situations, creating openings that aren’t necessarily available on shorter third downs.

That doesn’t make the problem any less concerning. Pittsburgh can’t continue relying on difficult conversions while failing to take advantage of the manageable situations it works to create.

The Steelers have an opportunity against New Orleans’ defense

While the Saints have been productive offensively, their defense has struggled considerably through the first six games. New Orleans enters Sunday’s contest allowing 29.7 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league. The Saints are also surrendering 377.7 total yards per contest, including 138 rushing yards per game.

Those numbers suggest Pittsburgh should have opportunities to establish its running game, something McCarthy specifically mentioned wanting to do more effectively following Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.

Jaylen Warren has emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s most productive offensive players, accumulating 718 yards from scrimmage through six games. The Steelers have also begun experimenting with formations that feature Warren and Rico Dowdle on the field together, giving defenses another combination of personnel to account for.

McCarthy made it clear Monday that the coaching staff wants both running backs involved. Whether that translates into a larger role for Dowdle or additional opportunities for Warren remains to be seen, but New Orleans’ struggles against the run could provide an ideal opportunity to explore those possibilities.

Of course, the Saints aren’t without defensive playmakers. Chase Young has recorded 5.5 sacks, while Carl Granderson has four. Pittsburgh’s offensive line has already allowed 19 sacks this season, so protecting Rodgers will remain a concern regardless of New Orleans’ overall defensive ranking.

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International travel adds another challenge

Beyond the matchup itself, the Steelers will have to manage an unusual week of preparation before Sunday’s game at Stade de France.

Unlike the Saints, who arrived in France earlier, Pittsburgh plans to remain on its normal practice schedule before departing Thursday. McCarthy explained that the decision was influenced by several factors, including the team’s return from Tampa Bay and the upcoming home game against Cleveland.

The Steelers will also kick off at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, a significant departure from their usual afternoon schedule. McCarthy emphasized the importance of hydration, sleep and maintaining as much consistency as possible throughout the week.

Angelichio, who has previous experience preparing for international games, expressed confidence in the team’s approach. He noted that departing Thursday has worked well in his previous experiences, allowing teams to complete much of their preparation before traveling overseas.

Still, the circumstances are different enough that Pittsburgh can’t afford to overlook the details. The Steelers are coming off an emotional overtime victory, traveling across the Atlantic and preparing for an opponent that has demonstrated the ability to score points despite its losing record.

Another opportunity to build momentum

The Steelers have put themselves in a favorable position after six games, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. Their comeback against Tampa Bay showed an ability to overcome adversity, while the defensive performances over the last two weeks suggest Pittsburgh may finally be finding some consistency on that side of the football.

However, the same offensive issues that have followed the team throughout the season haven’t magically disappeared. Third-down efficiency, red-zone production and protection remain areas that could determine whether the Steelers continue their winning streak or find themselves in another unnecessarily difficult game.

New Orleans may be 2-4, but the Saints have enough offensive firepower to make Pittsburgh pay for mistakes.

The Steelers also have an opportunity to exploit a struggling Saints defense, provided they can avoid the slow start that nearly cost them last weekend.

Sunday’s historic matchup in Paris should be a memorable occasion for both franchises. For Pittsburgh, though, the trip will ultimately be judged by what happens on the field.

And if the Steelers want to return home with a third consecutive victory, they’ll need to make sure they’re focused on more than just the sights of Paris.