Three-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, at age 41, travels to Paris to face an emerging, talented live underdog. What could go wrong? Both teams have been involved in shootouts this season, and both have found themselves in slow-paced slugfests. Will the travel slow their timing? Will it affect their rhythm? After all, this is the first regular-season NFL game in Paris, so there's no precedent to examine. What do we know? Both teams have gunslingers under center surrounded by a slew of talented receivers, and both teams enter the game with injuries at key positions on defense.
This game may start slowly on Sunday, but both Aaron Rodgers and Tyler Shough have proven they can push the pace, and both possess the arms to match. Pittsburgh escaped Tampa Bay with a 25-19 overtime victory last week, a game that still cleared the modest total of 39.5. Their three games prior all finished with totals in the 50s. The Saints have shown a similar trend, with four of their six games reaching at least 45 combined points. At its simplest, math suggests these teams play games that clear this number roughly two-thirds of the time. More importantly, both offenses are loaded with talent, while both defenses have struggled to consistently slow down opposing offenses.
I don't think the NFL's first regular-season game in Paris will go without fireworks, both on and off the field. Pittsburgh and New Orleans have questions on defense, questions that will likely be answered by the opposing offenses. We may see a few early mistakes as both teams settle in, and that could leave a couple of zeros on the scoreboard to start. However, the likelihood of a shootout breaking out at some point is simply too high for me. If you're going to travel all the way to Paris, you might as well bring home some souvenirs, and touchdowns seem like the most likely choice for both teams. With all the offensive firepower on display, give me the over.
Saints vs Steelers prediction: Over 44.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to over 45 (-115).
