The New Orleans Saints' next opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't exactly running into the first ever NFL game in Paris, France. Down several key receivers when arriving in Europe, the Saints' secondary could really make life tough for their offense on Sunday.
Injuries aside for the Steelers, their passing attack hasn't been half bad to start the Mike McCarthy era. Averaging 247.8 receiving yards per game heading into week seven, they're actually just outside the top 10 in terms of receiving stats in 2026 (13th overall). Tied for fifth in total receiving touchdowns with 12, it's an offense that really relies on its wide receivers to get going.
However, that's also the weakest part, in terms of depth, on the Pittsburgh offense. Two of their top wide receivers, Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson, are now on injured reserve. Their second-leading receiver this year has been running back Jaylen Warren, and Warren, a healthy D.K. Metcalf and a dream has been the Steelers' recipe for success in the passing game.
The Saints can take advantage of a depleted Steelers' WR room
As a whole, the Steelers offense has been averaging 10.4 yards a catch. Something that shows they like to play in a short, efficient type of offense, it only works in the Saints' favor because it allows their defenders to play tighter and break on routes. That, combined with the receiving depth behind Metcalf being so thin, gives the Saints a clear path to build their coverage plan.
Although it has to be acknowledged that the Saints' passing defense hasn't looked so good on paper this season, ranking 25th overall in yards per game, that number doesn't matter so much with the Pittsburgh receiving room. Their top guy, Metcalf, has been up and down all season and has yet to put up a string of good performances this season.
On the flip side, the New Orleans secondary is fully healthy and will have several quality guys keeping an eye on the Steelers' lone wide receiver threat. If they do their job limiting Metcalf while the linebackers guard the threat of Warren on an underneath route, the opposing passing offense could really be nonexistent.
When the Saints host the Steelers in Paris, keep an eye on the New Orleans secondary. They're coming off the most interceptions in one game in the Kellen Moore era and seem to finally be over the illness spreading through the locker room. On Sunday, they could really be a key factor in the game's outcome.
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