Rodgers lift Steelers past Saints in first NFL game in Paris

Aaron Rodgers overtook Peyton Manning for the third-most touchdown passes in NFL history as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10 in the first regular-season game to be played in Paris, France.

The four-time MVP quarterback surpassed Manning's tally of 539 touchdown passes with a first-half strike to tight end Darnell Washington and finished the game 19 of 30 for 212 yards as Mike McCarthy's Steelers improved to 5-2 on the year.

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough went 30 of 38 for 278 yards, a touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele and a second-half interception as Kellen Moore's side, honouring their deep-rooted French ties this week, dropped to 2-5.

Pittsburgh's Terrible Towels flew proudly while travelling Saints translated NOLA noise to Europe as the Stade de France welcomed 78,488 fans for the sixth of nine international games this season, Paris one of three first-time hosts for 2026 alongside Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro.

Civil unrest in France had dominated build-up to Sunday's game after what began as peaceful demonstrations had turned into violence and looting, resulting in the cancellation of fan events and prompting an increased security presence across the city.

Still, an undeterred crowd would serenade more NFL history with another electric atmosphere reflect of the league's reach overseas, albeit bolstered by a significant travelling party from both Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

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Chris Boswell was a perfect three of three on field goals, while Saints counterpart Daniel Carlson was guilty of a costly miss.

Trailing 13-10 at the break, the Saints saw their immediate reply come up empty when Shough was intercepted by Payton Wilson to end a 14-play drive that had knocked a costly seven-and-a-half minutes off the clock.

Rodgers would later joke in his press conference about how Wilson intercepted him on a near-identical play during practice earlier in the week.

"I nearly took that one to the house," laughed Wilson.

Chase Young kept his team alive on the ensuing possession when the Saints sack leader swarmed Rodgers to stall the drive on third-and-10, Boswell coming out to kick a 39-yard field goal.

The Saints, though, were denied a chance to cut into Pittsburgh's lead again when Daniel Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal with 10 minutes remaining. Carlson had notably arrived in Paris on his own late this week, with his wife due to give birth back home.

Boswell had delivered the first-ever points scored in Paris with a 28-yard field goal at the end of Pittsburgh's opening drive, before giving his team a 13-10 lead with his 47-yard effort as time expired in the second quarter.

Carlson drew the Saints level at 3-3 with a 38-yard field goal after Shough had flipped the field with a 49-yard strike to Barion Brown.

Pittsburgh tight end Washington scored the first-ever touchdown in Paris when he treated the French crowd to a tinge of Randy Moss while out-muscling a helpless Kool-Aid McKinstry for a four-yard grab at the side of the end zone. His exhibition in bully ball would see Rodgers join Manning for the third-most touchdown passes in NFL history.

Rodgers himself had teed up the touchdown beautifully with a 51-yard strike to DK Metcalf after climbing the pocket and launching deep on the move to convert on third-and-14.

Shough capped his side's response with a one-yard touchdown pass to Vele inside the two-minute warning after the Saints had been stuffed at the one-yard line for three straight plays.

What did they say...

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy: "I think the most important thing is you have a chance to travel as a team and the challenge of being on the road is always exciting, but this is special. I think everything that goes into this game, first time playing in France, and so it definitely brings a special feel to it. I think it's really good for your team; you have a chance to get on the road. It's been a joy to play here.

"I wouldn't say it (unrest in Paris) overshadowed the game, I know a lot of our team had families in France. I know everybody enjoyed Friday. With the uncertainty Saturday we stayed close to the hotel. France is a beautiful place. It's my first time here and I'd love the opportunity some day to come back and enjoy it."

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers: "I've enjoyed the last two international games (Ireland and France), and then obviously London. For a long time in Green Bay we never got to go overseas because Lambeau is such an incredible home and they were never going to give up a home game and then we did in 2022. I've enjoyed it; I wish we could have enjoyed it both in Ireland and France for a little more time. It's great the game is growing."

Terron Armstead, former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle, on Sky Sports: "You definitely saw the difference between the two quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers pretty much controlled the game. He was very solid, did nothing crazy and ultimately just took care of the ball. What it came down to was the Saints' inability to take care of the ball and score points when they got in the red zone. Turnovers will kill you every time."

Stats leaders:

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Passing: Aaron Rodgers, 19/30, 212 yards, 1 TD
• Rushing: Jaylen Warren, 18 carries, 101 yards
• Receiving: DK Metcalf, 2 catches, 56 yards

New Orleans Saints

• Passing: Tyler Shough, 30/38, 278 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Rushing: Tyler Shough, 3 carries, 7 yards
• Receiving: Alvin Kamara, 7 catches, 57 yards

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