The New Orleans Saints made the decision to head out to Paris early ahead of their Week 6 showdown with the Steelers, and it's clear early on that they're getting what they wanted out of the experience.
The extra time means they're already fully acclimated, with multiple players stating on Thursday that it was the first day since their arrival that they felt "normal." They've also been able to acclimate to the weather, as WWL Radio's Deuce McCallister noted, which has been cold and rainy to mirror what's expected in Stade de France on Sunday.
"There will be sun, there will be wind, there will be rain," Deuce said. "The question, is it first, second or third quarter, or is it throughout the game.” … The heaviest lifting is going to be on the equipment team, can they get that gear ready for the players.”
The Steelers didn't depart for France until after their Thursday practice, meaning they'll have a much harsher turnaround. It's a strategy that Pittsburgh employed successfully last year when they beat xx x x in Ireland. Saints punter Ryan Wright is taking on his 5th international trip, and was a member of the Vikings roster in 2022 when they arrived late in the week and took down the Saints, who followed a similar itinerary to this season.
Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak sees the early acclimation as an advantage, but clearly not one that can decide a result on its own.
"I asked [Wright] today, what’s the difference and he said when you come here late in the week, you’ve basically got to slug through it. There’s no feeling normal, there’s just getting through the game," Nowak said, "and whether you think that it makes a huge difference, I don’t think it’s possible to show up on Thursday and feel like your normal self on Sunday. That doesn’t mean you’re going to win or lose the game, but it does present a challenge.”
Most importantly, though, this team looks to be finding its stride both on the field an in terms of leadership after a bounceback win over the Giants.
"There’s some swagger out there," Deuce continues, "and I think one of the things that you’re starting to see as well is some leadership from some of the younger guys."
Nowak concurs, with the team's chemistry and enthusiasm shining through in their midweek media sessions.
"This is not a team that was having a ton of fun going out to New York last week," Nowak said. "You’d lost three in a row. Now, you won that game, another game outside. … You just get the sense that this team is getting what they need out of this trip, which is, they’re coming together, they’re bonding, they’re building positivity, and you hope that that manifests into some success on the field on Sunday.”
The Saints will have one more day of practice at Stade Montbauron on Friday, then they'll hold a closed walkthrough on Saturday at Stade de France, where they'll face off with the Steelers at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
