TreVeyon Henderson exploded onto the scene, New England’s defense dominated, and Drake Maye showed flashes of MVP potential in the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. We take a closer look in this week’s All-22 Review.
The All-22 Review is back for Week 2.
In this week’s edition of our previous Patriots Roundtable Podcast segment, we take a closer look at standout performances in the New England Patriots’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. TreVeyon Henderson’s explosive 39-yard touchdown run, a dominant defensive showing that culminated in a fourth quarter touchdown, and Drake Maye’s 63-yard strike to Romeo Doubs are our subjects today.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of each play:
Henderson Breaks Free
Game Situation: NE 0, PIT 0; 8:22 - 1st; 1st & 10 at PIT 39
Following a Rhamondre Stevenson fumble on New England’s opening possession of the game, second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson assumed duties as the lead-back for the Patriots for the vast majority of the first half. It didn’t take long for him to make his impact felt on a 39-yard touchdown run on New England’s second drive. Henderson’s first game action of the 2026 season also featured his first explosive touchdown run — a staple of his game from his collegiate days with the Ohio State Buckeyes through his rookie season with the Patriots in 2025.
On this run, New England’s offensive line executed a “pin and pull” power concept to perfection, with left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker holding his block on defensive tackle Sebastain Joseph-Day long enough for right tackle Morgan Moses to slide down the line of scrimmage and clear a runway through linebacker Payton Wilson and into the second-level for Henderson. From there, a key block from wide receiver DeMario Douglas took out safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Jaquan Brisker and sprung the speedy running back into the open field. The score gave the Patriots’ an early lead, and they wouldn’t look back for the remainder of the contest.
Scoop & Score
Game Situation: NE 13, PIT 3; 13:37 - 4th; 2nd & 21 at PIT 30
New England harassed Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh offensive line with a 39.1% blitz rate and 41.3% pressure rate on Sunday afternoon (per SūmerSports). Their pressure came from multiple angles, and created communication issues along the Steelers offensive line even when additional rushers didn’t come.
That was the case on Elijah Ponder’s scoop-and-score to put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter. With just a four-man rush, Ponder and defensive tackle Christian Barmore — who starred with a 16.0% pass-rush win-rate in Week 2 — collapsed the pocket around Rodgers for the initial pressure. Barmore walked right guard Spencer Anderson right back into the quarterback’s lap with a strong bull rush, wrangled Rodgers up, and knocked the ball out of his hands. Ponder, who was engaged with right tackle Dylan Cook, quickly identified the loose football and returned it for the score.
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. Through two weeks of the regular season, Barmore ranks third among all NFL interior defensive linemen with an 87.5 pass-rush grade (per PFF). Since the start of 2025, Ponder’s three fumble recoveries are tied for the league-lead.
Maye Goes Deep
Game Situation: NE 10, PIT 3; 2:12 - 3rd; 1st & 10 at NE 8
Explosive plays in the Patriots’ passing game have been few and far-between through the first two weeks of the regular season, but Drake Maye’s late third quarter strike to Romeo Doubs was just that. The 63-yard strike stands as their largest offensive gain of the year, and flipped field position when the team started the possession from the shadow of their own goal post.
On the “dash-pass” concept, the play was designed for Maye to roll out of the pocket and relocate his launch point for the throw. Edge rusher Jack Sawyer tried to beat tight end Hunter Henry to the inside, allowing Maye the time and space he needed for Doubs’ deep corner route to develop. The receiver angled his route toward the middle of the field before breaking back outside, losing safety Rayshawn Jenkins and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to fill the open space left in the Cover 2 invert zone deep.
The massive chunk play led to a New England field goal that extended the lead to two possessions, and is Doubs’ biggest contribution to the offense since signing as a free agent this spring. He finished the game as the Patriots’ leading receiver with three catches on four targets and 96 yards. Hopefully a sign of what’s to come as he and his quarterback continue to build more chemistry.
Looking Ahead
Led by an outstanding defensive performance, New England won their home opener against Pittsburgh in dominant fashion — but there are still obvious areas where growth is needed, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They’re into the win column for the first time in 2026, with challenging road trips at the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills on the horizon.
How do you think the Patriots performed in their Week 2 win over the Steelers? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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