Steelers defeat Saints 16-10 in NFL’s first regular-season game in France

Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10 in Paris on Sunday in the NFL’s first regular-season game in France, with Aaron Rodgers throwing one touchdown pass and Chris Boswell converting three field goals.

Jaylen Warren rushed for 101 yards, and Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 212 yards and scrambled for a key first down late in the fourth quarter; linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted Tyler Shough in the red zone on the Saints’ opening drive of the second half and New Orleans managed just 18 rushing yards.

Rodgers’ 4-yard touchdown pass to 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end Darnell Washington — with 5-foot-11 cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in coverage — gave Pittsburgh a 10-3 lead. Earlier on that drive Rodgers moved in the pocket and connected with DK Metcalf for a 51-yard completion to the New Orleans 4, and the Saints later tied the game 10-10 when Tyler Shough threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

Just before halftime Carl Granderson sacked Rodgers on third down; with 15 seconds left and no timeouts the Steelers ran to the sideline and Boswell kicked a 47-yard field goal to put Pittsburgh ahead 13-10 at the break. Boswell later converted a 39-yard field goal following Wilson’s interception and finished with three successful field goals.

With the Saints threatening on that second-half opening drive, Wilson stepped in front of a short pass intended for Chris Olave, setting up Pittsburgh’s field-goal position. Patrick Queen sacked Shough on third down with under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to stall a New Orleans drive, and Shough completed 30 of 38 passes for 278 yards, one touchdown and the interception.

NFL France described Rodgers’ 51-yard pass to Metcalf as “quel caviar d’Aaron Rodgers.”

The victory was Pittsburgh’s third straight and moved the Steelers to 5-2 while New Orleans fell to 2-5.