When the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints take the field in Paris this October for the NFL's first-ever game in France, the matchup is already being labeled as one of the easier ones on Pittsburgh's 2026 schedule. But if you're a Saints fan—or just someone who loves a good underdog story—that might be a take worth questioning.

Let's be honest: the last time these two teams met, it wasn't pretty for New Orleans. Back then, Andy Dalton was under center, Dennis Allen was at the helm, and the Saints helped hand Kenny Pickett a rare win in Pittsburgh. It was a low point. But a lot has changed since that forgettable afternoon.

The Saints have been quietly building momentum. Quarterback Tyler Shough found his stride down the stretch in 2025, and the front office didn't waste any time giving him more firepower. First-round draft pick Jordyn Tyson is already turning heads, and free-agent additions like David Edwards and Travis Etienne add depth and experience. These aren't just roster fillers—they're legitimate upgrades.

Still, the perception lingers. Over at Steelers Wire, analyst Andrew Vasquez listed the Saints among Pittsburgh's easiest matchups, though he was careful to add an important caveat. "The Saints could be the wild card of the list," Vasquez wrote. "They managed to snag one of the best wide receivers of the 2026 NFL Draft while also picking up talented free agents. It is difficult to overlook their 6-11 record in 2025, however, hence their placement on this list."

Fair point. A 6-11 record is hard to ignore. But context matters. The Steelers' schedule is stacked with playoff teams, Super Bowl contenders (hello, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson), and AFC South squads that seem to have finally found their footing. Meanwhile, the Saints are lumped in with the rest of the NFC South—a division where every team has something to prove.

Is New Orleans really the weakest link in that group? We'll find out when these two teams kick off at the Stade de France on October 25. Until then, don't be surprised if the Saints use that "easy matchup" label as fuel. In the NFL, perception doesn't always match reality—and this October, Paris might just see an upset in the making.