The Pittsburgh Steelers extended their win streak to three games with an overseas victory over the New Orleans Saints. The offense was able to move the ball when needed, mostly due to the efficient play of the rushing attack. Running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle both had solid performances, but arguably the most important run of the day came from the 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a critical third down. Rodgers had a decent performance overall, but there were a few mistakes that need to be cleaned up.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers celebrates a first down during a win over the Saints in Week 7 of 2026.
Rodgers scrambled to move the chains on a crucial third down late in the fourth quarter. The Steelers needed to keep the clock rolling in order to not allow the Saints much time if they got the ball back. Rodgers dropped back to pass but could not find anything and eventually took off for a huge first down.
Rodgers did not light up the box score, but was able to control the tempo of the game and help the Steelers cruise to a 16-10 victory. He has been playing solid football this season, with a few explosive performances that included multiple three-touchdown passing games. Rodgers has been pretty much everything the Steelers could ask for during his final NFL season. His experience and impressive football knowledge allow him to manipulate defenses before the ball is ever snapped. Rodgers has continued to do so in 2026, but he made one mistake in Week 7 that made fans scratch their heads.
Following Pittsburgh's Week 7 victory, Rodgers spoke to the media during a postgame press conference. He explained what happened when the team took an unnecessary pre-snap penalty early in the game.
"There were a lot of numbers in my peripheral," Rodgers explained. "I totally spaced out, that was on me. There were like eight different numbers and I was looking for the one that was actually counting down."
While this is a surprising mistake for the savvy veteran, it is not one that cost the team an opportunity, as the offense went on to score on that drive. It was a humorous moment for Rodgers, as he laughed about the matter while taking full responsibility for the blunder. Even legendary quarterbacks make silly mistakes sometimes, but what matters is that the Steelers will be flying back home to Pittsburgh with another victory under their belt.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers looks to pass during a win over the Saints in Paris.
The Steelers are currently 5-2 and have a massive contest next on the schedule. Pittsburgh hosts the rival Cleveland Browns in Week 8, a game that could decide who the leader of the AFC North will be. The Browns defeated the Steelers during their first matchup in Week 4. Pittsburgh will be looking to seek revenge in a game that could have major postseason implications. Rodgers will need to be at the top of his game and mentally sharp if the Steelers want a chance at claiming the division for the time being. The Browns have been one of the more surprising teams in the league this season, as they currently sit at 5-2 as well. The AFC North is always competitive, something that Rodgers learned in 2025 when Pittsburgh won the division in his first season with the Steelers.
Rodgers' Experience Could Lead Pittsburgh To Long-Awaited Postseason Success
While the Steelers came up short in 2025, suffering an embarrassing loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round, the team has a chance to finally escape the postseason drought that has haunted the franchise for many seasons. Pittsburgh's offense looks much more cohesive in 2026 under Rodgers than it did last season. The defense has been making plays, as usual, while being able to stay off the field more due to the offense's efficiency and ability to control the clock. If both units can stay fresh and continue to complement each other well, the Steel City could be in for playoff success, something Steelers fans have been deprived of for a long time.
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