PARIS, France – The New Orleans Saints did not benefit much from their week-long plan and arrangement in Paris as they fell 16-10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the international stage, becoming both the first team to host and lose an NFL game in France.
The Story
Even part-way around the word, the Saints couldn’t outrun their usual issues. A game marred with penalties, an inability to run the football and an inability to stop the run, the Saints were again outclassed under another national spotlight.
Another game draped in pomp and circumstance, much like the team’s Week 4 and 5 matchups, comes up stale for the team and its fans both in attendance and watching early Sunday morning from home.
The Saints, who put up their best rushing performance of the season last week in their win over the New York Giants, fielded their worst ground output of the season, notching 17 carries for an embarrassing 18 rushing yards, their fewest in a game since 1999. Quarterback Tyler Shough was the team’s leading rusher, gaining just seven yards on the ground.
The 16-10 final in favor of Pittsburgh isn’t at all representative of the true tale of this contest.
Head Coach Kellen Moore yet again led a scoreless first half, was unable to scheme up a run game from his club and again had to hope for a heroic performance from Shough and a one-dimensional offense.
Meanwhile, the defense surrendered a number of chunk plays, including another game of struggling to stop the run.
The New Orleans brass earned a week of relief after last week’s win. But after another let down, the seats will again begin to heat up after another game ends in early exits from fans, first at home, now abroad.
The Stats
- QB Tyler Shough: 30 of 38 (78.9%) for 278 passing yards, one passing touchdown and an interception.
- WR Chris Olave: six catches for 56 receiving yards.
- RB Alvin Kamara six carries for five yards, seven receptions for 57 receiving yards.
- RB Kendre Miller: eight carries for six rushing yards.
- EDGE Chase Young: two total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a tackle for a loss.
- EDGE Carl Granderson: Four total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a tackle for a loss.
- K Daniel Carlson: 0/2 with a miss from 52 yards.
The Plays
The Injuries
- Running back C.J. Donaldson was ruled out in the first half with a shoulder injury.
- Cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Martin Emerson Jr. were evaluated for a concussion but returned to the game.
- Safety Justin Reid was also ruled out with a concussion at halftime.
