Photo Credit: Gillette Stadium
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The New England Patriots have little time to dwell on their opening-week loss. After blowing a 10-0 lead against the Seattle Seahawks, New England returns home Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers visit Gillette Stadium for a Week 2 matchup. The Patriots lost 13-10 in Seattle on September 9. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, opened its season with a 20-13 win over Atlanta. New England enters the game with plenty to correct. However, the Patriots also showed enough against Seattle to create optimism. The biggest concern starts with quarterback Drake Maye. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown. However, he also threw three interceptions. Those interceptions all came during the fourth quarter. Seattle turned those mistakes into the difference in the game. Maye looked comfortable for much of the contest. He also added 47 rushing yards on seven scrambles. However, his decision-making collapsed during the final quarter.
That cannot happen against Pittsburgh. The Steelers created problems for Atlanta throughout their opener. Pittsburgh recorded four sacks and two interceptions in the 20-13 victory. Therefore, New England must protect Maye better. The offensive line also needs to create more room for the running game. Rhamondre Stevenson carried 18 times for 51 yards against Seattle. He also caught five passes for 44 yards. That production gives the Patriots something to build around. Still, New England needs more efficiency on the ground. The Patriots managed only 62 rushing yards excluding Maye’s scrambles. Pittsburgh could attack that weakness with its defensive front. Meanwhile, New England faces another major offensive challenge. A.J. Brown will miss the Steelers game after suffering a high-ankle sprain against Seattle. The injury creates a major hole in the Patriots receiving corps.
Brown joined New England during the offseason with enormous expectations. He gives Maye a proven veteran target when healthy. Now, other receivers must step forward. Romeo Doubs struggled against Seattle, while the Patriots also need more consistency elsewhere. Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III could receive greater opportunities. The Patriots defense also deserves credit from the opener. New England held Seattle to only 13 points. Christian Gonzalez also delivered a strong performance against Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba still finished with eight catches for 122 yards. He also scored Seattle’s game-tying touchdown during the fourth quarter. w England’s defense cannot afford another late collapse. The Steelers bring a different challenge than Seattle. Pittsburgh won its opener behind a defense that created four sacks and two interceptions. The Steelers also have veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading their offense. Rodgers completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards against Atlanta.
Pittsburgh’s offense did not dominate the Falcons. However, it made enough plays to secure the victory. Pat Freiermuth also caught five passes on five targets. One of those receptions produced a touchdown. That matchup could become important against New England’s defense. The Patriots also need to remember what happened during last year’s meeting. Pittsburgh defeated New England 21-14 at Gillette Stadium in Week 3 last season. The Steelers forced five turnovers in that victory. Interestingly, New England outgained Pittsburgh 369-203 in that game. Turnovers ultimately decided the outcome. That history makes Sunday’s matchup even more intriguing. The Patriots cannot repeat that mistake against a Steelers defense already showing playmaking ability.
At the same time, New England has home-field advantage this time. The Patriots also have several days to correct their Week 1 mistakes. The game begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 20. CBS will televise the matchup from Gillette Stadium. The Patriots also opened as favorites despite their 0-1 record. That reflects the expectations surrounding this team entering the season. Still, the Patriots must prove those expectations mean something. A victory would immediately erase some frustration from the Seattle loss.
More importantly, it would put New England back at .500. Maye holds the key to making that happen. If he protects the football, the Patriots can compete with Pittsburgh. If turnovers return, another frustrating afternoon could follow. New England already showed it can move the ball and play quality defense. Now, the Patriots need to finish the job. Sunday’s game offers their first chance to prove Week 1 was an early stumble.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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[…] over Atlanta. Their offense struggled in that game, however, and those issues continued against New England. The Steelers averaged only 4.1 yards per play against Atlanta. Their offensive struggles became […]