Patriots Preview: Week 3 vs Steelers

Matt Hylen
4 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel running down the sideline while Running Back Antonio Gibson returns a kickoff. Credit to the New England Patriots YouTube page via youtube.com.

They're in the win column!!

After a huge win against a division rival, the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots head into Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers with huge momentum. The offense looked great, both the offensive and defensive lines looked new and improved, and the playcalling took a huge leap from Week 1.

This week, the Pats have another good test in the Steelers. Pittsburgh, coming off a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, is a decent team led by Ben Roethlisberger. Though they are off to a rough start, the biggest X-factor will be the Steelers' defense, as they are bound for a turnaround performance soon.

With that said, let's get into what Sunday will look like.

Injury Report

New England Patriots Cornerback Christian Gonzalez taking the practice field this week for the first time in months. Credit to Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub via 985thesportshub.com. — New England Patriots Cornerback Christian Gonzalez taking the practice field this week for the first time in months. Credit to *Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub via* *985thesportshub.com*.

As of Friday's injury report, the bill of health for the Patriots looks the best it has all season long. Multiple key players have come off the injury report, with star corner Christian Gonzalez officially practicing this week. This is the injury report as of Friday.

QUESTIONABLE:

CB Christian Gonzalez (Hamstring)

FB Jack Westover (Hamstring)

DE Keion White (Illness)

Patriots DT Christian Barmore was limited on Friday but holds no Injury designation. DE K'Lavon Chaisson, CB Carlton Davis III, DE Harold Landry III, LB Marte Mapu, OT Morgan Moses, and OG Jared Wilson were all full participants on Friday and hold no injury designation for Sunday's game.

As for the Steelers, their injury report includes:

OUT

CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring)

S DeShon Elliot (Knee)

LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle)

OG Max Scharping (Knee)

QUESTIONABLE

DT Derrick Harmon (Knee)

3 Keys to the Game

The Patriots' Defense celebrates a good play in the first quarter of the game against the Dolphins. Credit to Sam Navarro-Imagn Images via 985thesportshub.com.

My biggest key to victory for the Patriots is the secondary. The safety play has been abysmal. Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa were able to pick them apart all game long, which is a major red flag against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. However, I do think the biggest reason why the secondary has been as bad as it has been is because of Christian Gonzalez's absence.

If Gonzo is able to play on Sunday, that allows acting defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr and Head Coach Mike Vrabel to game plan their defensive scheme a lot differently. I am looking forward to seeing how improved the secondary looks, if at all, with Gonzalez's possible return.

The second key to victory is the pass rush. In order to rattle Aaron Rodgers and stop his momentum, the pass rush has to maintain the form in which they are playing right now. The defensive line, highlighted by Milton Williams and Harold Landry, has been one of the best in football through two weeks, and a big reason why the defense isn't the worst in football.

My third and last key to victory is that New England needs to keep spreading the ball around. It may not be the most lethal or talented, but Drake Maye has some weapons that can make plays. Vrabel needs to put together another balanced scheme that gets everyone involved if they want to keep the Steelers' defense guessing.

Who Wins?

Patriots QB Drake Maye (left) and Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right). Credit to NBC Sports Boston via nbcsportsboston.com.

This is yet another gritty game that the Patriots will have to survive. However, I don't know if the secondary is good enough not to get picked apart by Rodgers. Even if Gonzalez returns this week, it is hard for me to see a Patriots defense that gives up less than 20 points right now.

The offense, I think, will look solid again, but the Steelers' defense is much better than Miami's. They have not played like it as of the first two weeks, but it is only a matter of time before the Steelers remind everyone of the talent they possess on the defensive end. I think the O-line is banged up, causing me to believe the pass rush will get to Maye early and often.

With all this in mind, I think the Steelers will come away with a 30-20 win on Sunday. I hope I am wrong, and I would not be surprised if I am, but I feel that the Pats are a little too banged up to compete with Pittsburgh this week.