Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints

Injuries noted

Pittsburgh Steelers: Daequan Hardy (IR) — Hardy (undisclosed) reverted to Pittsburgh's injured reserve Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.; Cole Burgess (IR) — ir; Logan Lee (IR) — ir; Jack Driscoll (IR-R) — The Steelers placed Driscoll (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday with a designation to return, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.; Gennings Dunker (IR) — The Steelers placed Dunker (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.; Michael Pittman Jr. (IR) — The Steelers placed Pittman (foot) on injured reserve Saturday.; Derrick Harmon (IR) — The Steelers placed Harmon (foot) on injured reserve Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.; Ben Skowronek (Out) — Official injury report, Wk 7: Out (Calf); practice: DNP. The Steelers have ruled Skowronek (calf) out for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.; Roman Wilson (IR) — Wilson (finger) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.; Brandin Echols (Out) — Official injury report, Wk 7: Out (Hamstring); practice: DNP. Echols (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Saints, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.; Rico Dowdle (Questionable) — Official injury report, Wk 7: Questionable (Knee); practice: Limited. Dowdle (knee) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints in Paris, NFL insider Adam Caplan reports.; Sebastian Joseph-Day (IR) — Joseph-Day (triceps) was placed on injured reserve by the Steelers on Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.; DeShon Elliott (Questionable) — Official injury report, Wk 7: Questionable (Knee); practice: Full. The Steelers activated Elliott (knee) from IR on Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.

New Orleans Saints: Mason Tipton (PUP-R) — Tipton (leg) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Saints on Sunday.; Nick Saldiveri (PUP-R) — New Orleans placed Saldiveri (knee) on its reserve/physically unable to perform list Tuesday.; Bryan Bresee (IR) — ir; Dillon Radunz (IR) — ir; Jordyn Tyson (IR); Ty Chandler (IR) — The Saints placed Chandler (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.; David Long Jr. (IR) — The Saints placed Long (undisclosed) on injured reserve Sunday.; Moliki Matavao (IR) — The Saints placed Matavao (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.; Rejzohn Wright (IR) — Wright (hip) was put on injured reserve by the Saints on Monday.; Kelvin Banks Jr. (IR) — Banks (ankle) underwent surgery this week, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.; Travis Etienne Jr. (IR) — The Saints are placing Etienne (hamstring) on injured reserve, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.; Cesar Ruiz (Questionable) — Official injury report, Wk 7: Questionable (Knee); practice: Limited. Ruiz (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers.; Nathan Shepherd (Questionable) — Official injury report, Wk 7: Questionable (Illness); practice: DNP. Shepherd (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris.

QUARTERBACK

• Aaron Rodgers is the projected starting quarterback for PIT

  6.38 Y/A

  Through 6 games in 2026, Aaron Rodgers threw for 1487 passing yards, completed 61.4% of his passes and averaged 6.38 yards per attempt. Last season over 16 games he threw for 3322 yards, completed 65.7% and averaged 6.67 yards per attempt, 24-7 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 12-5 touchdown-to-interception line is 6 games in.

• Tyler Shough is the projected starting quarterback for NO

  6.14 Y/A

  Through 6 games in 2026, Tyler Shough threw for 1443 passing yards, completed 65.1% of his passes and averaged 6.14 yards per attempt. Last season over 11 games he threw for 2384 yards, completed 67.6% and averaged 7.29 yards per attempt, 10-6 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 12-5 touchdown-to-interception line is 6 games in.

TRENCHES

• PIT: 103.2 rushing yards allowed per game to NO's 138

  34.8 YPG

  The Steelers give up 103.2 rushing yards a game over 6 games; the Saints give up 138 over 6. Rushing yards allowed lean on game script, since teams that fall behind see opponents run late, so some of the Saints number may come from trailing. Even so the gap is wide. For this game, Pittsburgh's ground game has the better matchup, which matters for running back props and clock control.

PASS RUSH

• NO: 2.17 sacks taken per game to PIT's 3.17

  1 SACKS

  PIT is at 3.17 sacks taken per game over 6 games; NO is at 2.17 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 24. Last season PIT was at 2.38 over 17 games and NO at 3.06 over 17 games.

• NO: 16.3 sack yards lost per game to PIT's 26.5

  10.2 YDS

  PIT is at 26.5 sack yards lost per game over 6 games; NO is at 16.3 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 24. Last season PIT was at 14.8 over 17 games and NO at 18.7 over 17 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• PIT: 21.3 points allowed per game to NO's 29.7

  8.3 PPG

  New Orleans allows 29.7 a game after 22.5 last season, a big jump over six games. Pittsburgh is at 21.3, slightly better than last season's 22.8. The Saints' number is likely to drift down some, but six games of this means something is off. Pittsburgh's offense has a good spot here, even if the full gap shrinks.

TURNOVERS

• PIT: 1.17 turnovers committed per game to NO's 2

  0.83 TO

  New Orleans turns it over twice a game, up from 1.41 last season, while Pittsburgh is at 1.17 after 0.88. Six games is a decent sample, but turnovers bounce around, so expect the Saints' number to come down some. Pittsburgh has the safer offense on the road. The Saints giving away possessions is a real worry until they show they can stop it.

• PIT: 0.33 fumbles lost per game to NO's 1.17

  0.83 FUM

  PIT is at 0.33 fumbles lost per game over 6 games; NO is at 1.17 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 24. Last season PIT was at 0.35 over 17 games and NO at 0.71 over 17 games.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• PIT: 5.1 yards per play to NO's 4.68

  0.42 Y/P

  Pittsburgh gets a bit more out of each snap than New Orleans, but both offenses sit below what they did last season: the Steelers at 5.1 over 6 games against 5.22, and the Saints at 4.68 against 5.05. Pittsburgh had no play of 20 yards or more in its last game, so it is moving the ball in short pieces. The Saints at least found chunk plays from Tyler Shough, a 31-yard touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara and a 25-yard run. Expect a grinding game where one or two explosive plays decide it, and New Orleans has shown more of those lately.

RED ZONE

• NO: 84.2% red-zone scoring rate to PIT's 53.3%

  30.9 PP

  New Orleans is scoring on 84.2% of red-zone trips over 6 games, a massive jump from 44.4% last season. Pittsburgh is at 53.3%, close to its 58.8% a year ago. The Saints' rate is far above their own recent history and red-zone numbers swing hard over short stretches, so expect it to come down. Pittsburgh's figure looks more like its true level.

• PIT: 50% red-zone scoring allowed to NO's 61.5%

  11.5 PP

  PIT is at 50% red-zone scoring allowed over 6 games; NO is at 61.5% over 6 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 24.

MISMATCH

• PIT: 21.3 points allowed a game to NO's 29.7

  21.3 VS 29.7

  New Orleans allows 29.7 points a game over six games, a big jump from 22.5 last season, while Pittsburgh gives up 21.3, slightly better than 22.8. The Steelers get to attack a defense that has slipped badly, and the Saints have to outscore them. A seven-point jump over six games may ease some. Pittsburgh's steadier defense against a leaky unit tilts the scoring.

COVERAGE

• PIT: 32.5% third downs allowed to NO's 44.6%

  12.1 PP

  Pittsburgh lets offences convert 32.5% of third downs over 6 games, and New Orleans allows 44.6% over 6. That gap is the difference between getting off the field and giving up long drives. Third down rates swing a lot over six games, so expect both to drift somewhat toward the middle. For this game, the Steelers offence should find more extra chances on the money down than the Saints offence will, which matters for time of possession and the pace of the game.

• PIT: 5.1 yards per play allowed to NO's 5.9

  0.8 Y/P

  Pittsburgh allows 5.1 yards a snap over 6 games, and New Orleans allows 5.9 over 6. That difference means the Saints defense gives up chunk plays more easily. Six games is a modest sample and the opponents faced are not listed, so both can move. It points to the Steelers offence having the cleaner path to moving the ball in this game.

• PIT: 204.3 passing yards allowed per game to NO's 239.7

  35.3 YPG

  PIT is at 204.3 passing yards allowed per game over 6 games; NO is at 239.7 over 6 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 24.

REPLACEMENT

• Roman Wilson (WR) is on injured reserve for PIT

  IR

  Pittsburgh put receiver Roman Wilson on injured reserve with a finger injury on Oct 17. IR means he misses the New Orleans game and several more after it. Other Steelers receivers absorb his targets, so the passing game runs through a smaller group for now.

• Sebastian Joseph-Day (DT) is on injured reserve for PIT

  IR

  Sebastian Joseph-Day went on injured reserve with a triceps injury on Oct 23, so the Steelers defensive line plays New Orleans without him. IR keeps him out this week and for at least several more. Other interior linemen take his snaps, which is worth weighing if you like the Saints on the ground.

• Jordyn Tyson (WR) is on injured reserve for NO

  IR

  New Orleans has receiver Jordyn Tyson on injured reserve as of Oct 21, with no injury listed. He misses the Pittsburgh game, and IR rules out a quick return. His targets move to the other Saints receivers, and New Orleans enters this game short a pass catcher just like Pittsburgh.

PRACTICE REPORT

• Brandin Echols

  Out

  Hamstring · Did not practice · Out

• CJ Donaldson

  Out

  Full practice · Out

• Ben Skowronek

  Out

  Calf · Did not practice · Out

• Cesar Ruiz

  Questionable

  Knee · Limited practice · Questionable

• Nathan Shepherd

  Questionable

  Illness, Not injury related - resting player · Did not practice · Questionable

• Rico Dowdle

  Questionable

  Knee · Limited practice · Questionable

• DeShon Elliott

  Questionable

  Knee · Full practice · Questionable

• Alvin Kamara

  LP

  Limited practice

• Cameron Heyward

  FP

  Full practice

• Tyler Shough

  FP

  Full practice

• Daniel Carlson

  FP

  Full practice

• Kool-Aid McKinstry

  FP

  Full practice

• Anfernee Jennings

  FP

  Full practice

• Kaden Elliss

  FP

  Full practice

• T.J. Watt

  FP

  Full practice

• Spencer Rattler

  FP

  Full practice

• Asim Richards

  FP

  Full practice

• Davon Godchaux

  FP

  Full practice

• Jalen Ramsey

  FP

  Full practice

• Alex Highsmith

  FP

  Full practice

SITUATIONAL

• PIT (4-2) at NO (2-4)

  -35 PT GAP

  Pittsburgh is 4-2 but only +9 on the year, so the wins have been narrow, and the Steelers are 1-2 on the road. New Orleans is 0-3 at home and -26 overall, though it did win its last game. The Saints have yet to win in their own building, which removes the usual home edge. Pittsburgh's thin margin suggests a team that wins close, so expect this to stay tighter than the records imply.

TEAM RECORD

• PIT is 1-2 on the road; NO is 0-3 at home

  1-2

  NO hasn't won at home, 0-3, and PIT has one win in three road games. Three games apiece is a thin sample, and home records like this usually even out over a season. The split points to PIT, but with only one road win of their own, the edge here is smaller than the headline makes it sound.

AFTER GARY

• PIT -3 → -3

  GARY +0.93PP

  Gary's number was -3; the market closed at -3.