Patriots Preview: Week 2 vs Steelers

Zak Drapeau

3 hours ago

4 min read

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 9/18/2026

Photo Credits to Robert F. Bukaty via Associated Press

For their 2026 home opener, the Patriots will host the Steelers Sunday afternoon. Losing their first game of the season in true heartbreaking fashion, the Pats lost to the Seahawks in Seattle by a score of 13-10 and the Steelers come into this game 1-0 after beating the Falcons at home, 20-13.

Pats-Seahawks Takeaways

The Patriots season opener was a morale defeat as much as it was on the scoreboard, with particular disappointment in Drake Maye. After being runner-up by 1 vote for the MVP last season, Maye stunk it up in Seattle with 3 interceptions, the final of which was an unnecessary heave within the red zone that cost the Patriots at the very least a trip to overtime.

Another huge factor in that game was injuries, both before and during the game. Sophomore running back Tre'Veyon Henderson was ruled out before the game because of an ankle injury and the Patriots running game suffered, with only 3.5 yards per carry.

Then the mid-game injury to A.J. Brown was a tide turner. We now know he suffered a high ankle sprain and has since been put on injured reserve for the next 4 weeks. He was having a decent game as well and it seems all those offseason reels of him and Drake Maye were true. Without Brown, Maye had to rely heavily on both Mack Hollins and Rhamondre Stevenson through the air and it worked okay for short-yardage, moving the chains type of drives but was drastically different from the Patriots we're used to.

The offensive line seemed marginally better than last season with a few hiccups here and there. It's tough to tell with Seattle's defense being considered good for now even though they lost a lot through Free Agency.

The Patriots' defense also looked marginally better, with their pass rush at least getting home a few times thanks to rookie rusher Gabe Jacas. Christian Gonzalez also showed out after his new contract signing with most of his snaps against JSN resulting in no throws.

Photo Credits to Kara Durrette via Getty Images

Steelers-Falcons Takeaways

The Steelers had the good fortune of a Week 1 matchup against a third string Quarterback and middling team in the Falcons. Winning by a score of 20-13, the Steelers' gameplan was to move the ball 3 to 5 yards per play, try not to turn the ball over and let their defense smother the opponent.

T.J. Watt was the true standout in this game, with 4 tackles, 2 sacks and a Pick-6 to take home Defensive Player of the Week. Alongside Watt was Alex Highsmith who himself got a pair of sacks as well.

It's hard to say the defense played an elite game because the Falcons starting Cooper Rush kind of puts a veil over them. They also allowed Bijan Robinson to have a monster, Week 1 game but we are also talking about one of the very best in the league. Robinson had 29 touches for 173 yards and a receiving TD against the Falcons as he out touched the next Falcons' playmaker 29-9. Robinson was CLEARLY the Falcons best option and almost their entire gameplan on offense, with Drake London being targeted five times and Kyle Pitts only once.

This means that even though the Steelers' pass rush got home 4 times and caused 2 interceptions, they clearly have a weakness against top end Running Backs. With Tre'Veyon Henderson trending towards being ready to go for this matchup, he could be an integral part of the Pats gameplan.

As for the Steelers' offense, their game is going to be a few yards at a time. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle almost split carries last week and should again in what I would assume to be a more run-focused attack. Last week we saw the Steelers run the ball 21 times to 41 pass attempts, this week should be a lot closer to even. Rodgers had a very mid day, with connections to Michael Pittman and Pat Freiermuth seeming legit but also not worthy of any special attention.

Photo Credits to Eric Canha via Imagn Images

Patriots-Steelers Predictions

So what happens this Sunday? The Patriots are favored by 5 points in the game and at home I'd have to say the bookies have this one right.

The biggest factor in this game will be how the Patriots' O-line stands up to the Steelers' pass rush. If Will Campbell and Morgan Moses can give Drake Maye some time, he should be able to move the chains well and both Henderson and Stevenson will be able to exploit the play action and get chunk plays.

The Steelers will have to run the ball with more success because they won't be able to do anything through the air against the Pats' D. Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis should be able to take Pittman and Metcalf out of the game besides maybe 4-5 slants or ins throughout. The Seahawks were able to have some success on the ground last week but I don't believe either Warren or Dowdle have as much explosion as the rookie Jadarian Price.

So the Steelers won't be able to move the ball consistently and the Patriots' O-line may be crumbling most of the game. Combine that with a forecast of a hot, humid and rainy day in Foxborough and this game has a low-scoring, single drive margin victory written all over it.

I think Maye will be pressured most of the game but at most give up 1 INT. He should be able to spread the ball around with the help of Tre Henderson coming back both to split carries and get the ball to his check downs. Maye having a better day should make the Patriots win likely if not a sloppy one. I'd say the Patriots win 17-10 with Henderson and Stevenson both getting a Touchdown, while both teams have a few turnovers and a lot of sacks.