It didn't matter that this game was played across the pond in Paris, France; it felt like a home game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. From the gate, Mike McCarthy's team dominated the trenches as they carved out rushing lanes for Jaylen Warren and shut down the Saints' rushing attack.
Unfortunately, this was a three-point game at halftime, and the Steelers only won 16-10 in the end (though they could have had a field goal to effectively end the game, if not for a Saints penalty with 1:01 remaining).
Thankfully, the Steelers were able to hang on to secure the Week 7 win and advance to 5-2. This was truly a game won in the trenches, as the Steelers bullied the Saints on both sides of the ball.
Pittsburgh's Paris victory over New Orleans was made possible thanks to a collection of exceptional standouts, while the performance of a few players nearly cost them in this contest.
Pittsburgh Steelers winners and losers against the New Orleans Saints in Paris
Winner: Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren just seems to get better and better. In the first half, the remarkable running back carried the ball nine times for 78 yards (8.7 yards per carry). Warren finished the game with 18 carries for 101 yards (5.6 yards per carry) while adding three receptions for 36 yards in the passing game, per ESPN stats.
Warren is the real deal—showcasing an unbelievable blend of ball-carrier vision, contact balance, burst, and receiving chops. If the Steelers keep getting him the football early and often, good things will happen.
Winner: T.J. Watt
Watt nearly had the play of the game in this contest, but it felt like a botched call by the officiating crew. In the first half, the superstar pass rusher pulled out an Alex Highsmith-esque spin move to whip the Saints' right tackle and get to Tyler Shough for a sack.
It looks like Watt clearly dislodged the football and eventually wound up with the ball in his hands. However, upon expedited review, this play was (mistakenly) reversed. Still, Watt had an excellent showing in Paris, and had the Steelers' defensive backs been able to cover consistently for two seconds, Watt would have had a field day in the box score.
Winner: Darnell Washington
Steelers fans hated the decision to throw a fade route to DK Metcalf in the end zone on the opening drive, but you'll never hear us complaining about targeting Darnell Washington in the red zone. The 6'7'', 300-pound tight end reeled in a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch on the fade with a defender draped on him.
Winner: Payton Wilson
I've seen enough; get this dude a contract extension this offseason. Payton Wilson has really stepped up his game in recent weeks. He's been consistently impressive in run support. But in Week 7 against the Saints, Wilson showcased the playmaking ability we've been dying to see.
After quarterback Tyler Shough marched the ball down the field into the red zone, Wilson came away with a diving interception that he returned for 18 yards the other way. Wilson was all over the field in Week 7, and his presence made a huge difference.
Winner: Patrick Queen
I've been as hard on Patrick Queen as anyone this season, but the veteran linebacker deserves his flowers for this contest. Queen dropped an easy interception early, but was at least in position to make the play. His performance got better from there, as he made plays all over the field.
His biggest was an impressive sack late in the game that stalled a Saints drive. Queen finished the Week 7 contest with 10 tackles (seven solo), a sack, a tackle for a loss, a pass defense, and a QB hit.
Winner: Rico Dowdle
We talk so much about how good Jaylen Warren is—and rightfully so. But Rico Dowdle was quietly impressive in this contest and a key player in the Steelers' win. Dowdle played second fiddle to Warren on the ground, but he still carried the ball nine times for 41 yards (4.6 yards per carry).
However, Dowdle did his best work in the passing game, catching all six targets for 45 yards. He was second on the team in both receiving and scrimmage yards.
Winner: Steelers' run defense
I'd be remiss if I didn't give mad props to the Steelers' run defense in this contest. From the interior defensive line to the edge rushers to the linebackers, the run defense was spectacular from start to finish.
The New Orleans Saints finished the game with 18 yards on 17 carries (1.1 yards per carry). This looked like the early 2000s Steelers run defense, and you couldn't have asked for a better performance in this department—especially with defensive tackles Derrick Harmon and Sebastian Joseph-Day on IR.
Loser: Jalen Ramsey
Yeah, this is a game that Jalen Ramsey is going to want to forget. The veteran defensive back was picked on throughout the contest, as the Saints' passing game used Ramsey to nickel and dime their way down the field.
Ramsey's coverage was pitiful at times, and he allowed a touchdown on fourth-and-goal in the first half. He was the biggest weak link on either side of the football for the Steelers in Week 7.
Loser: Troy Fautanu
Despite how well the offensive line played in general (particularly in run-blocking), Troy Fautanu had a couple of really ugly reps in pass protection. Tasked with slowing down edge rusher Chase Young, the Steelers' 2024 first-round pick was bullied at times and allowed multiple sacks.
Fautanu's mishaps in the second half stalled drives and allowed the Saints to hang in the game. This was not his best performance, and if he keeps playing like this, the fifth-round option next May might not be a guarantee for Fautanu.
Loser: Jamel Dean
In one week, Jamel Dean went from being arguably the best player on the football field to being a liability. Though he did have a critical forced fumble on Tyler Shough as the QB extended toward the pylon, Dean was beaten early and often in coverage. This helped the Saints to a successful passing offense in Week 7.
Dean is a better player than he was in Paris, but we don't want to see many more performances like this—especially with Joey Porter Jr. no longer here.
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