# Steelers Opponent Preview

_Generated 2026-10-21T03:01:35+00:00 by Black & Gold Dispatch (unofficial fan site). Data updated: 2026-10-21T03:01:25+00:00._

Week 7: Steelers at **New Orleans Saints** (NO 2-4), kickoff 2026-10-25 13:30 UTC, Stade de France.

Last 5: NO W 24-17 @ BAL L 35-27 vs LV L 45-24 vs ATL L 23-13 vs MIN W 34-27 @ NYG; PIT L 20-3 @ NE W 30-27 vs CIN L 27-24 @ CLE W 34-22 vs IND W 26-19 @ TB

## 3 keys to a Steelers win
1. **Win the turnover battle**: Pittsburgh takes the ball away 1.67 times a game (5th); the Saints give it away 2.00 times (28th). Extra possessions could decide it.
2. **Keep the quarterback clean**: The Saints average 2.50 sacks a game (12th); Pittsburgh allows 3.17 (28th). Quick throws and solid protection matter.
3. **Lean on the run game**: Pittsburgh runs for 99.2 yards a game (20th), and the Saints give up 138.0 on the ground (30th). Staying with the run keeps the offense on schedule.

## 3 key matchups
1. **Jaylen Warren vs. the Saints' run defense**: Jaylen Warren carries the Steelers' ground game into a run defense that has had its problems. (Jaylen Warren: 84 carries, 460 yds (5.5 per carry); NO allows 138.0 rush yds/game (30th), 4.79 per carry)
2. **Chris Olave vs. the Steelers' secondary**: Chris Olave is the Saints' go-to target; slowing him down is job one for the back end. (Chris Olave: 43 catches, 580 yds, 2 TD (2nd in rec yds among WR/TE); PIT allows 204.3 pass yds/game (7th))
3. **Chase Young vs. the Steelers' offensive line**: Chase Young is the Saints' top pass rusher; Pittsburgh's line has to keep him away from the quarterback. (Chase Young: 5.5 sacks (3rd in NFL), 9 QB hits; PIT allows 3.17 sacks/game (28th))

## Pundit picks
Picks not posted yet; experts usually post Wednesday through Saturday.

## Team stats (per game, NFL rank of 32)

| Group | Stat | PIT | NO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense | Points Per Game | 22.8 (17) | 25.3 (10) |
| Offense | Total Yards | 320.5 (21) | 321.5 (20) |
| Offense | Yards Passing | 221.3 (18) | 224.2 (17) |
| Offense | Yards Rushing | 99.2 (20) | 97.3 (21) |
| Offense | Yards Per Play | 5.01 (21) | 4.8 (23) |
| Offense | Yards Per Carry | 4.58 (8) | 3.79 (21) |
| Offense | Sacks Allowed Per Game | 3.17 (28) | 2.17 (13) |
| Offense | Turnovers Per Game | 1.17 (14) | 2.0 (28) |
| Defense | Points Allowed Per Game | 21.3 (12) | 29.7 (31) |
| Defense | Yards Allowed | 307.5 (9) | 377.7 (29) |
| Defense | Pass Yards Allowed | 204.3 (7) | 239.7 (25) |
| Defense | Rush Yards Allowed | 103.2 (14) | 138.0 (30) |
| Defense | Yards Per Play Allowed | 4.99 (8) | 5.84 (27) |
| Defense | Yards Per Carry Allowed | 4.05 (18) | 4.79 (28) |
| Defense | Sacks Per Game | 2.67 (9) | 2.5 (12) |
| Defense | Takeaways Per Game | 1.67 (5) | 1.5 (10) |
| Other | Turnover Margin | 3.0 (9) | -3.0 (22) |
| Other | Penalty Yards Per Game | 51.7 (8) | 44.3 (2) |

## Saints key players
- Passing Yards: Tyler Shough (QB) 153/235, 1,443 YDS, 12 TD, 5 INT
- Rushing Yards: Kendre Miller (RB) 49 CAR, 153 YDS, 2 TD
- Receiving Yards: Chris Olave (WR) 43 REC, 580 YDS, 2 TD
- Sacks: Chase Young (DE) 5.5
- Tackles: Pete Werner (LB) 45

## Saints injury report
- Anfernee Jennings (LB): Out, Knee
- Kaden Elliss (LB): Out, Calf
- Alvin Kamara (RB): Questionable, Back
- Chris Olave (WR): Questionable, Illness
- Lorenzo Styles Jr. (CB): Questionable, Knee
- Nathan Shepherd (DT): Questionable, Illness
- Zach Wood (LS): Questionable, Calf
- Bryan Bresee (DL): Injured Reserve
- David Long (DB): Injured Reserve
- Dillon Radunz (OL): Injured Reserve
- Jordyn Tyson (WR): Injured Reserve
- Kelvin Banks Jr. (OL): Injured Reserve
- Moliki Matavao (TE): Injured Reserve
- Rejzohn Wright (DB): Injured Reserve
- Travis Etienne (RB): Injured Reserve
- Ty Chandler (RB): Injured Reserve
- Mason Tipton (WR): Physically Unable to Perform
- Nick Saldiveri (OL): Physically Unable to Perform

Keys and matchups are our own takes, generated from the numbers. Data: nflverse (CC-BY 4.0) https://github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data. Human page: https://blackandgolddispatch.com/#/opponent

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