The defining matchup of Sunday’s historic NFL matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris will take place on the edge of the Steelers’ offensive line, where two veteran pass rushers will test a pair of young tackles.
Saints edge defenders Chase Young and Carl Granderson enter the contest ranking inside the top 10 of NFL defenders in sacks. Through the first six games of the season, the duo has combined for 9.5 sacks, a production level achieved even though Granderson missed one contest due to injury.
They will line up against a Pittsburgh offensive tackle pairing experiencing its first season at their respective positions in the professional league. Former 2024 first-round selection Troy Fautanu has shifted from right tackle to left tackle this season, while the Steelers used a first-round pick in the 2026 draft to select rookie Max Iheanachor to anchor the right side.
Despite their relative youth and transition periods, Fautanu and Iheanachor have surrendered only three combined sacks on the season, though both players have allowed double-digit pressures.
Controlling the line of scrimmage against Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains the most direct route for the New Orleans defense to neutralize the opposing offense. Beyond the passing game, containing the edge during running plays will prevent the Steelers from establishing offensive balance.
Statistics illustrate the vulnerability of the veteran quarterback when defensive pressure disrupts his rhythm. When facing defensive pressure, Rodgers’ passer rating drops significantly from 94.3 to 72.2, while his completion percentage falls from 67.7 when operating from a clean pocket down to 45.5.
Consequently, generating pressure solely with the front four linemen takes precedence over sending extra blitzers. Blitzing opposing defenses has proven less effective against Rodgers, who maintains a solid 82.5 passer rating when teams send additional rushers.
This dynamic places immense responsibility on the shoulders of Young and Granderson to penetrate the offensive line without relying on schematic assistance. Their ability to win individual battles against Fautanu and Iheanachor could ultimately determine the outcome of the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in the French capital.
