NO
New Orleans Saints
73.3PFM Team Score#28 NFL
New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Pittsburgh Steelers higher than the New Orleans Saints overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the stronger defense and the less limited big-play ability.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgePIT
Pittsburgh Steelers
78.7PFM Team Score#17 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Pittsburgh Steelers Higher
The Steelers can lean on their defense more than the Saints can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. New Orleans' strongest counterargument is QB Stability. The New Orleans Saints have the less unsettled quarterback situation, although the grade remains below the strength range.
Pittsburgh also brings the less limited big-play ability. Pittsburgh adds the stronger coaching operation. That is enough to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
New Orleans vs. Pittsburgh Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
NONew Orleans Saints
PITPittsburgh Steelers
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
New Orleans Saints’ Best Argument
Quarterback is still a concern for both teams, but the New Orleans Saints carry less uncertainty than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The QB Stability advantage is a real point in New Orleans' favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for New Orleans is that Pittsburgh counters with the stronger defense and the less limited big-play ability.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
NO73.3
New Orleans Saints 73.3PIT78.7
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.7Overall NFL Rank
NO#28
New Orleans Saints #28PIT#17
Pittsburgh Steelers #17QB Stability
NO76.7
New Orleans Saints 76.7PIT74.6
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.6Roster Strength
NO73.5
New Orleans Saints 73.5PIT78.8
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.8Coaching Direction
NO75.5
New Orleans Saints 75.5PIT83.4
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.4Recent Performance
NO69.2
New Orleans Saints 69.2PIT79.3
Pittsburgh Steelers 79.3Offense
NO73.6
New Orleans Saints 73.6PIT78.6
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.6Defense
NO72.7
New Orleans Saints 72.7PIT83.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.2Franchise Direction
NO69.4
New Orleans Saints 69.4PIT74.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.9Explosiveness
NO66.0
New Orleans Saints 66.0PIT75.5
Pittsburgh Steelers 75.5Conference Rank
NO#15
New Orleans Saints #15PIT#9
Pittsburgh Steelers #9Division Rank
NO#4
New Orleans Saints #4PIT#3
Pittsburgh Steelers #3Outlook
NOPlayoff Long ShotPITIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Pittsburgh SteelersSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
New Orleans Saints
Remaining schedule rank: #32
Toughest stretch: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers
Next five difficulty: 76.6
View New Orleans Saints Road AheadPittsburgh Steelers
Remaining schedule rank: #26
Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens
Strongest opponents: Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos
Next five difficulty: 76.3
View Pittsburgh Steelers Road AheadPittsburgh has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 26. The strongest opponents include Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Denver Broncos. New Orleans gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Pittsburgh still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 13, 2026. Schedule data updated October 16, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams