The Patriots search for their first win of the season in their home opener this Sunday as they host the 1-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.
New England controlled most of last week’s game against the Seahawks, but Drake Maye’s fourth-quarter collapse, a crucial missed tackle, and zero turnovers contributed to a disappointing defeat.
“Well, just the little things. You can’t get bored taking what they give you, and that goes for everybody,” HC Mike Vrabel said early this week when asked about his quarterback’s performance. “Big fundamental emphasis here today, technique has got to improve, all these little things that can help you win football games. So, if the defense gives you something and the ball’s supposed to go somewhere, then put the ball there. And if we’re supposed to be in a look where we’re supposed to can the play, then can it, alert it, or whatever that may be. Defensively, our checks and everything else. And build on some of the good stuff on special teams.”
Now, the Patriots will attempt to course-correct while missing A.J. Brown (ankle) for at least six weeks, though the expected return of TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) should give the offense some much-needed juice.
That explosive element will be important against a Steelers team that came a few missed opportunities from a blowout opening-day win.
New HC Mike McCarthy’s offense went deep early and often, with Aaron Rodgers making impressive throws both in and out of the pocket. New DC Patrick Graham’s unit also made a strong first impression, forcing the Falcons into two interceptions and two fumbles, both of which were recovered by the offense. Joey Porter Jr.’s availability could be a significant factor in this matchup as the corner searches for a new deal, but whether or not he’s on the field, the Steelers are sure to be a tough out for New England.
Here’s how the Patriots can get back on track and climb to .500 against Pittsburgh.
Don’t Let the Rush Wreck the Game
The Patriots were one of the league’s best pass-protecting units in Week 1, allowing just two knockdowns while ranking top-10 in pressure rate allowed.
Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses pitched shutouts on the right side; Will Campbell and Jared Wilson exorcised Super Bowl demons by combining for just three pressures; and Alijah Vera-Tucker didn’t give up a sack or hit after missing all of last season.
The offensive line was excellent when blitzed, thanks in part to more quick game, but there were some leaks against standard four-man rushes. Vera-Tucker suffered two losses that led to hurries, and both Wilson and the left side gave up interior pressure to twists. These issues must be shored up quickly against a perennially stout Steelers front.
“I think the Pittsburgh Steelers is the [defense’s] identity,” Vrabel said this week. “They’re going to be big, they’re going to be long, and they are going to try to force the quarterback into making mistakes. That’s what they do. … they’re going to be big inside, and they’re going to be long and active on the edges.”
Pittsburgh’s deep, physical interior is led by ageless wonder Cameron Heyward, who still has sneaky quickness, elite power, and a knack for batting passes at the line. As the Steelers’ right defensive tackle, Heyward will be another tough test for Vera-Tucker.
As formidable as their interior is, the Steelers’ marquee playmakers live on the edges. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith each recorded a pair of sacks last week, showing strong chemistry to constrict the quarterback. Watt also intercepted Cooper Rush on a freakish play that reminded Vrabel of a former colleague.
“A great athlete, very instinctive, athletic, explosive get off,” Vrabel said. “He’s got length and multiple moves. But his instinctiveness is a great asset. His brother was the same way; I got to see his brother play. I bet they intercepted the same pass — J.J. [Watt] intercepted that one the same way as T.J. [Watt] did. They must have practiced that when they were kids.”
While Watt sacked Maye twice last year, primarily while rushing from the defense’s left side, only one of those takedowns was a loss for Moses, who kept Watt quiet for most of the game.
Campbell and Highsmith will meet for the first time after Highsmith missed last season’s game due to injury. The left tackle was sturdy against power last week, but Highsmith’s ability to win inside and out will present a new challenge. Campbell also struggled against Herbig’s speed and inside counters last season, so both rushers will test his punch timing and placement.
Quick throws and a more consistent ground game are the easiest path to a clean quarterback, and I expect OC Josh McDaniels‘ game plan to reflect that. But when push comes to shove, keeping Watt, Highsmith, and Heyward from wreaking havoc and handling inside loopers will be key on true dropbacks.
Attack the Intermediate Middle
Maye showed maturity as a passer in the first three quarters against Seattle, taking what the defense gave him and making sound decisions when tucking the ball to run. But as the signal caller himself admitted, he lost patience in the final stanza and forced three deep passes into enemy hands.
“I think it depends on the flow of the game and realizing what the defense is doing and what we are trying to accomplish on offense and realizing that sometimes checking it down over and over may feel monotonous, but at the same time it’s the right thing to do, and it keeps the chains moving,” Maye said. “I feel like we battle the down distance well. We have the same challenge in Pittsburgh this week. We got a tough defense that can get after us up front, and they got a great front. So, I’m looking forward to getting back out there and having another chance this week.”
Maye must show more restraint in this week’s rematch, particularly after crucial turnovers cost them last season’s meeting. Going deep on Pittsburgh could also be tougher with a new corner in Jamel Dean and two new safeties in Rayshawn Jenkins and Jaquan Brisker. That said, there should be opportunities to attack the intermediate middle.
Last season, Maye went 6-for-9 for 89 yards on intermediate throws against the Steelers, and when he faced now-Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s Raiders two weeks earlier, Maye completed a career-high 10 intermediate passes on 15 such attempts. In both matchups, the Patriots effectively attacked the second level with dig routes and vertical routes to Hunter Henry.
Last season, the #Patriots faced both the Steelers and their new DC, Patrick Graham, who called plays for the Raiders in 2025
TE Hunter Henry had a pair of vertical catches in both of those games, including this TD👇🏾 https://t.co/ne7NVEwhBr pic.twitter.com/h8a7zWNTU7
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) September 15, 2026
Henry should have similar success against Patrick Queen, who’s surrendered more coverage conversions than any other linebacker since 2025. Payton Wilson has also allowed one of the position’s highest completion rates over that span.
Rookie Eli Raridon could also be a bigger factor as a receiver after scoring a touchdown on his only target last week. Former Patriots Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs were the main recipients of Maye’s dig throws, but Mack Hollins has proven himself more than capable on in-breakers. The true test will be whether Maye and Romeo Doubs can get in sync against an aggressive secondary after a bleak debut.
Don’t Sleep Downfield
Aaron Rodgers may be 42, but he proved he can still sling it against the Falcons.
Rodgers was pinpoint going downfield despite going just going 0-for-6 on deep passes. He was pinpoint on middle-field incompletions to D.K. Metcalf (2x) and Roman Wilson that could/should have been touchdowns, and only one of three accurate go balls to Metcalf was caught.
DK Metcalf is a good starting NFL WR
He should be excellent. Every year, he attacks targets with positioning that limits him from making the play.
This is a jump up and through target to turn and catch with overhand attack. This attack would get his body and feet into position… pic.twitter.com/TfW9Sx6e60
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 13, 2026
Though it wasn’t a banner day for the Steelers’ wide receivers, the room is too talented for the Patriots to take lightly. Both Metcalf and Wilson are vertical threats who line up inside and out, and Michael Pittman Jr. is an excellent safety blanket when healthy.
Christian Gonzalez missed last year’s Steelers game due to a hamstring injury, but when Metcalf was a Seahawk in 2024, he held the receiver to four passes for 28 yards on seven targets, though Metcalf helped with two drops. Gonzalez was bullied by Metcalf early on, but virtually locked the receiver down by avoiding press and shifting to mirroring. Gonzalez has only improved since, as evidenced by shutting down Jaxon Smith-Njigba on three targets last week. That growth could be the difference in this rematch.
Wilson had a clutch 3rd-and-19 conversion before halftime last week, and he drew pass interference on a deep target, but the third-year receiver is still building rapport with his quarterback. He might be in over his head against Marcus Jones, who will look to avenge the two-minute touchdown he allowed in last season’s meeting, but the potential absence of Carlton Davis III (neck) could put a target on backup Charles Woods.
As important as it will be to cap Pittsburgh’s deep passing game, the second level must do its part to suffocate intermediate throwing lanes. Rodgers went 5-for-7 for 87 yards on intermediate throws against the Falcons, including a perfectly layered stick-nod target in tight coverage before halftime.
Their chemistry will challenge the Patriots’ linebackers, particularly Christian Elliss, whose zone depth was suspect at times in Seattle. Wilson also showed the ability to find holes in the middle of the field against the Falcons.
Rodgers’ willingness to test downfield tight windows will consistently challenge New England’s pass defense, putting a premium on communication, technique, and finish through the catch point. A perfect throw-and-catch is indefensible, as Drew Lock and Cooper Kupp showed last week, but defenders must check the aforementioned boxes and apply pressure to the Steelers’ receivers.
