10 Key Takeaways from the New England Patriots’ Win Over the Pittsburgh Steelers

The New England Patriots are into the win column for the first time in the 2026 regular season and the 600th time in franchise history, but it may have come at a steep cost.

New England hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in the home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and while the 20-3 final scoreboard tally looked lopsided by the game’s end, it was anything but smooth for the Patriots throughout. Two turnovers, a missed field goal, and a host of mounting injuries were masked by a suffocating defensive performance that was the highlight of the day at each level.

Here are 10 key takeaways from New England’s win over Pittsburgh:

Those looking for a bounce back performance from quarterback Drake Maye were presented with another mixed bag against the Steelers on Sunday.

In the first half, Maye’s statline looked efficient — seven completions on nine attempts, 89 passing yards (9.9 yards per attempt), and a passer rating of 107.9 — but the box score didn’t tell the whole story. Akin to his Week 1 performance, Maye’s Average Depth of Target (ADoT, 4.4 yards per throw) was significantly lower than his aggressive downfield performance from a year ago, and his EPA/play (-0.37) spelled trouble.

Maye was sacked three times in the first half, and was victim to holding onto the ball for far too long on those plays. Right tackle Morgan Moses had his hands full with superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt, who recorded 1.5 sacks in the first half himself — both with drive-altering ramifications. 

Watt’s first sack pushed the Patriots’ offense behind the sticks in a first quarter goal-to-go situation that resulted in a 30-yard field goal by kicker Andy Borregales; the second negated any momentum New England could generate in a two-minute drill before the halftime break. On the latter, Maye had an open Romeo Doubs running a crossing route over the middle of the field, but didn’t pull the trigger and was wrangled up by Watt after drifting back and into the pressure for a 12-yard loss.

On the first drive of the third quarter, Maye’s turnover woes returned. Following a 29-yard scramble drill gain to Doubs, Maye was pressured by a looping edge rusher Jack Sawyer and short-armed a pass deep to Hunter Henry that was intercepted by linebacker Patrick Queen. The veteran linebacker was lurking underneath the throw, and it appeared as if Maye didn’t see him undercutting the play before he snagged the ball out of mid-air.

Maye would find success shortly after his one critical error in the game, connecting with Doubs on a rollout to his right deep in New England territory later in the quarter. The 63-yard gain was the Patriots’ longest of the afternoon, and helped the team extend their lead to two possessions.

By the game’s end, Maye completed 14-of-22 passes with 208 passing yards, no touchdown passes, one interception, and a passer rating of 75.6. He added four rushes and 17 rushing yards and was sacked three times — all in the first half. New England’s passing offense accounted for an EPA/play of -0.26 against Pittsburgh in an up-and-down showing for the second straight week.

Replacing A.J. Brown’s production was set to be a by-committee approach for the Patriots entering Sunday, and in large part, it became just that. Maye spread the ball around to nine different targets in the contest, but none had as notable an impact as Romeo Doubs.

Primed for a boost in production after a difficult Week 1 outing, Doubs tied for the team-lead in receptions (three) and recorded a game-high 96-yards receiving on those catches. The majority of his production came on the 29-yard and 63-yard connections with a scrambling Maye in the third quarter, but everything around that was questionable at best.

On Doubs’ first catch of the game, he fumbled out of bounds just short of the first down marker. Later in the fourth quarter, he dropped a slant route on a would-be third down conversion. Maye’s pass was slightly behind him on the play, but his disgruntled reaction to the miss was all the confirmation needed to describe it as a play he should have come down with.

The free agent addition took steps forward in his on-field chemistry with the quarterback, but still leaves room for future growth. New England will need more consistency from Doubs as the top receiving option out-wide for several weeks before Brown returns to right the ship.

Shades of the early part of 2025 were apparent to begin the game for Rhamondre Stevenson, who turned the ball over on a fumble forced by edge rusher Nick Herbig on New England’s opening drive. 

In last year’s Week 3 contest against the Steelers, Stevenson lost two fumbles and took several weeks to regain confidence. Yesterday’s blunder was his 18th fumble since entering the league in 2021 — the most by any non-quarterback in the NFL.

Through Stevenson’s early-season fumbling woes in 2025, head coach Mike Vrabel was reluctant to move away from him as a contributor in the weekly offensive gameplan — a divergence from the traditional Bill Belichick “ball security is job security” mantra, but a shift that was effective in keeping the back engaged through the stretch run of the season.

That didn’t appear to be the case on Sunday, however. After Stevenson’s early fumble, he received just one carry throughout the remainder of the first half while TreVeyon Henderson took over as the lead-back for a spell.

Stevenson began to see more run when the second half got underway, and he made the most of his opportunities on the Patriots’ second drive. He broke free on a 24-yard gain over Alijah Vera-Tucker, then followed that up with a nine-yard rush behind Will Campbell on a zone-toss to the left side on the next play. His consecutive impact plays put New England in position to extend their 10-3 lead to two possessions, but kicker Andy Borregales missed the 47-yard field goal that would have done so.

By the game’s end, Stevenson carried the ball just six times, gained 43 yards rushing, and recorded one reception on two targets for a gain of three yards — he fumbled on that reception.

After Stevenson’s first quarter fumble, second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson received the lion's share of the backfield snaps in his first action of the regular season. He quickly made his presence felt, kicking off the game’s scoring with a signature 39-yard touchdown run.

Blocks to create open alley from a pulling Morgan Moses and Alijah Vera-Tucker gave Henderson the space he needed to burst into the second-level of the defense. From there, DeMario Douglas parted the seas deep with an impact block that took safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Jaquan Brisker out of the play, springing Henderson for the score.

That was the extent of Henderson’s impact on the game — and mirrored much of his production trends from his rookie campaign. He finished the game with 16 carries, 76 rushing yards, and the touchdown scamper and did not record a reception. Aside from his explosive touchdown run, he totaled 15 carries for 37 yards (2.5 yards per carry).

In his first season as a professional, Henderson tallied 361 yards (39.6% of his total rushing yardage, third in the NFL) on “breakaway runs” of 10-plus yards, but his yards per carry average dipped to just 3.23 without those included in his total. That looked to continue in his first appearance this season, and will need to find more level ground for him to continue seeing a large workload.

Even still, there are very few players more electrifying in open space around the league — and he showed that again on Sunday.

Applying pressure was a key part of New England’s defensive gameplan against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense, and it was perhaps their most effective pathway to victory on Sunday afternoon. 

The Patriots held the combination of head coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers without a touchdown for the first time since Dec. 12, 2010 (a 7-3 loss at the Detroit Lions), and did so with another high-percentage of blitzes that rattled the quarterback and created confusion along the Pittsburgh offensive line.

New England attacked from multiple angles, but it was a pair of edge rushers and linebackers that had the most consistent impact on the game. 

After a quiet season-opener, second-year edge rusher Elijah Ponder was the star along the Patriots’ defensive line against Pittsburgh. He racked up five tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and recovered a fumble on a scoop-and-score at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Ponder set a good edge to contain outside rushes, and ranked second on the team with a 74.9 defensive grade, per PFF.

Ponder’s fourth quarter touchdown occurred on a Christian Barmore strip sack with 13:37 remaining in the game and all-but sealed the win by extending the lead to 20-3. His sack later in the fourth quarter pushed the Steelers’ offense back to the 17-yard-line in a goal-to-go situation. New England’s defense created another turnover on the following play, as rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas intercepted a screen pass that was bobbled and tossed up into the air by wide receiver Germie Bernard.

Off-the-ball, both Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss made their presence felt in the pass rush and in coverage. Late in the first quarter, a Spillane pressure forced an errant third down throw from Rodgers, and Pittsburgh missed a 57-yard field goal attempt on the next play.

The Steelers’ next chance at points came in the second quarter, when they advanced the ball to the Patriots’ 22-yard-line. On 3rd-and-7, Christian Elliss negated that opportunity with a blindside hit on Rodgers that forced a fumble, resulting in a massive loss of 36 yards and a Pittsburgh punt on the ensuing 4th-and-43. Elliss blitzed 11 times in the game and recorded the highest pass-rushing grade (83.1) and pass-rush win-rate (30.1%) on the team's defense.

New England’s 39.1% blitz rate helped the four-man rush later in the game, as they were able to generate pressure on 41.3% of dropbacks (per SūmerSports). Even when the Patriots would show pressure pre-snap and drop out, the Steelers’ offensive line had difficulties communicating assignments and identifying the stunts that the defensive front was running. That was apparent on Joshua Farmer’s fourth quarter sack of Rodgers that stalled Pittsburgh’s drive after the Barmore strip sack.

On the season, New England ranks fifth in the NFL in both pressure rate (46.6%) and blitz rate (41.1%), continuing their aggressive approach from the 2025 playoffs into the early portion of the 2026 regular season.

Without cornerback Carlton Davis III and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in the lineup for either squad, all eyes turned to a premier matchup on the boundary between Christian Gonzalez and D.K. Metcalf — and it was one that tilted heavily in the Patriots’ favor.

Gonzalez shadowed Metcalf for the vast majority of Sunday’s contest— aligning to the boundary, the field, and in the slot on 26 snaps featuring the head-to-head competition between two of the NFL’s elite. It was one that Gonzalez won in lopsided fashion. On seven targets in direct coverage, Gonzalez allowed two catches and eight receiving yards to Metcalf with one pass breakup. Both of Metcalf’s receptions came behind the line of scrimmage.

Overall, Gonzalez was targeted nine times on the day and allowed four receptions,12 yards, and registered two pass breakups. Another lights-out performance from New England’s 135 million-dollar-man in what’s become a weekly expectation for the 24-year-old superstar.

From an effective pressure package to lockdown coverage in the secondary, the Patriots’ most impressive metric of success may have been their third down defense — but that wasn't to be outdone by their forced errors.

In the first half, New England held Pittsburgh to 2-of-8 on third down. In the second half, the Steelers’ were rendered without a conversion in four attempts. In total, that left the Patriots’ defense with a 2-for-12 showing from the opposition in attempts to move the chains.

Whether it was by air or by land, Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense was unable to solve the enigma of New England’s multiple approach. Pittsburgh was held to 235 total yards of offense on 67 plays (3.5 yards per play), and Rodgers was contained to 23-of-39 passing with 187 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, four sacks, and a passer rating of 60.5. 

The passing attack was limited to -0.58 EPA/play and held a success rate of just 38.6%, but the ground game wasn’t much more productive. The Steelers gained 91 rushing yards on 23 carries (4.0 yards per carry), but gained 78 of those after contact. They registered an EPA/play of -0.14 and a success rate of just 34.8%. Of all teams in action on Sunday, Pittsburgh’s -0.43 EPA/play offensively ranked second-to-last around the NFL.

Sunday afternoon wasn’t a smooth ride in the kicking game for the Patriots, either. 

After making his first attempt from 30-yards out, kicker Andy Borregales missed a 47-yard field goal wide right in third quarter. He appeared to slice his next field goal attempt to the left from 45-yards out, but it cut back inside for the make.

The 2-for-3 showing on its own isn’t cause for concern for Borregales, but compounds on a preseason-opening performance at Gillette Stadium that saw him miss three kicks against the Indianapolis Colts. Each of those misses (55, 56, and 49 yards) came from a similar range on the field, and generated an emphatic reaction from Vrabel post-game and extensive work on the skinny goal posts in the next week of practice. 

Borregales has since rebounded from his tough outing, but his long-range inconsistencies are a rarity among long-tenured modern-day NFL kickers. Last season, Borregales finished 4-of-4 from 50-plus yards, but was just 7-of-11 from 40-49 yards — something to monitor moving forward for the sophomore.

New England’s second and third round picks made a notable impact on Sunday’s outcome for the second straight week.

Rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas received his most extensive run on the defensive side of the ball through this point of his young career after Dre’Mont Jones exited the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. On 33 pass-rushing snaps, he registered two pressures, one quarterback hit, and one hurry on a play-action boot on the second drive of the game. 

Jacas’ greatest highlight, however, came on an interception that punctuated the victory with 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. His first-career pick snapped a streak of 311 Rodgers' passing attempts without an interception that dated back through the final seven games of 2025 regular season (Nov. 9, 2025, at the Los Angeles Chargers). On the play, Jacas commented post-game:

“"The ball was up and I just got it. It was just surreal because I never had a pick before in my career...It was pretty cool to get the first pick against Aaron Rodgers."”

After a quiet preseason, Jacas recorded his first professional sack in the season-opener, and followed that up with his first-ever interception — at any level of playing experience — in Week 2. A loud start to his rookie campaign, and at a vital position of need for the Patriots’ defense. 

On offense, rookie tight end Eli Raridon recorded a 30-yard reception over Payton Wilson in the first quarter — who was penalized for defensive pass interference on the play. The 95th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft fought through the contact and corralled the ball at the Pittsburgh 6-yard-line to push the Patriots deep into Steelers’ territory.

Last week, Raridon hauled in his lone reception for New England’s only touchdown of the game. His role within the offense seems to be growing on a weekly basis following an impressive training camp, but his performance was cut short with a first half thigh injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the contest.

The Patriots’ mounting injuries were a storyline entering Sunday and were only amplified during the course of the action.

Near the end of the first quarter, reliable starting guard Mike Onwenu was carted off the field after being rolled up on by T.J. Watt, who sacked Maye on the play. Onwenu was engaged with defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and appeared to have his right leg caught underneath the pile of bodies. He was quickly ruled out with an ankle injury, and has since confirmed to have suffered a broken right ankle.

Since being drafted by New England in 2020, Onwenu had started 91 of a possible 99 games and hadn’t missed a game since 2023. Onwenu’s future in Foxboro is uncertain, as he’s set to become a free agent this offseason. Training camp addition Greg Van Roten substituted into the game at right guard in relief, and may see extended playing time in future contests as a result of Onwenu's extensive absence. He allowed a pressure to Sawyer on Maye’s third quarter interception after not picking up a defensive line stunt that penetrated his gap along the offensive line.

On Elliss’ second quarter hit on Rodgers that flipped field position, edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones was driven to the ground by Steelers’ guard Spencer Anderson while trying to recover the loose football and was escorted back to the locker room by the team’s medical staff with a shoulder injury. He did not return.

Star cornerback and special teams ace Marcus Jones also left the game late in the first half after diving to make a tackle, but returned to action at the beginning of the second half. Raridon (thigh) and safeties Dell Pettus (ankle) and Craig Woodson (shoulder) also exited and were unable to resume playing. Woodson was spotted in an arm sling post-game.

For the second time in two weeks, the Patriots’ performance was defined by an outstanding defensive showing and offensive inconsistencies. While that was enough to best Pittsburgh, the lasting ramifications of injuries may overshadow the game’s result on the scoreboard, leaving New England with more questions exiting the game than they had before the win. 

The Patriots will head back on the road next Sunday, as they’re set to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1:00 p.m. ET.

What were your takeaways from New England’s win over the Steelers in the home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sunday? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.

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