| Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1) | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, September 21, 1 p.m. EST | |||
| Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA | |||
| Where to Watch: FOX |
In a tale of two teams trying to find their footing early in the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Foxborough to take on a New England Patriots team that is finding new life under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. Both squads sit at 1-1, but they arrive at this Week 3 showdown from very different places.
The Patriots are riding high after a thrilling 33-27 road victory over the Miami Dolphins, a win that snapped a five-game losing streak in Miami and broke a 46-game stretch of scoring under 30 points. It was a signature moment for rookie quarterback Drake Maye and a statement that this isn’t the same old Patriots offense.
Conversely, the Steelers are looking to rebound from a deflating 31-17 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The offense struggled to find a rhythm, and the typically stout run defense showed cracks. Now, facing a disciplined Patriots squad, Pittsburgh is desperately searching for an identity and a way to right the ship before the season slips away.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | -1.5 | -130 | Over 44.5 |
| New England Patriots | +1.5 | +110 | Under 44.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| 25.5 | Points Per Game | 23 |
| 206.5 | Passing Yards Per Game | 243.5 |
| 62.5 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 91 |
| 31.5 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 23.5 |
| 240 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 315 |
| 149.5 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 58.5 |
Key Details
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers arrive in New England with more questions than answers. The offense, led by the 41-year-old Rodgers, has yet to establish a consistent identity. Rodgers was sacked three times and hit nine times against Seattle, raising legitimate concerns about his protection. The passing game managed only three chunk plays in that contest, and the coaching staff is facing pressure to find a spark. One potential solution could be featuring running back Jaylen Warren more heavily after his explosive 65-yard reception. Defensively, the injuries are the dominant storyline. With two key players out on the defensive line, stopping the run will be an even greater challenge.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are significantly banged up on the defensive side of the ball. Key defensive linemen Isaiahh Loudermilk and Alex Highsmith are both expected to be out until after the bye week with high ankle sprains. Safety DeShon Elliott is also out, while the statuses of cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon remain uncertain, thinning out an already stressed unit.
New England Patriots
The Patriots may be a team on the rise. The Vrabel era got its first victory in dramatic fashion, and the offense looks respectable. Maye is quickly showing signs of improvement, completing 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards and three total touchdowns against Miami. His connection with running back Rhamondre Stevenson is becoming a cornerstone of the offense. Stevenson was a dual-threat monster, turning a screen pass into a 55-yard game-changing
Prediction
Aaron Rodgers should move to fourth place in NFL career touchdown passes with number 509. Normally, fourth place is not much of a storyline, but in this case, he will move past Brett Favre. Maybe it will be the juice Rogers needs to help the Steelers get past the Patriots. If nothing else, it will be fun to see.
