The New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-3, in the home opener at Gillette Stadium this afternoon. We react on today’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast.
A win is a win, but it was anything but pretty.
This afternoon, the New England Patriots returned to Gillette Stadium to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2’s 2026 regular season home opener. Through offensive ups and downs, turnovers, and several mounting injuries, New England emerged victorious for the first time this year with a 20-3 win over Pittsburgh.
On today’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast, hosts Eddie Marotta and Tyler Geis react to the Patriots’ bounce back performance, examine what areas still need improvement, and identify how New England’s win could have lasting ramifications in the coming weeks.
Offensively, the Patriots’ running backs were central figures in the team's success throughout an overcast and damp contest. On New England’s first offensive drive, Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling woes returned, and opened the door for more contributions from TreVeyon Henderson — who quickly responded with a 39-yard touchdown run when the Patriots regained possession. Henderson’s scamper was the Patriots’ only offensive touchdown of the game.
Through the air, Drake Maye (14-of-22, 208 passing yards, no touchdowns, one interception, three sacks, 20 rushing yards) shrugged off another interception and spread the ball around to a litany of pass-catching options. Romeo Doubs led the way with three catches and 96 receiving yards, but also fumbled early and had a drop in the fourth quarter. A much more productive mixed bag showing from the free agent addition in Week 2 after a three-target, one-drop, no-catch showing in his debut.
On the defensive side of the ball, New England’s pressure-packed approach returned. After blitzing on 44.4% of plays in Week 1, defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr dialed up blitzes at a high rate yet again (39.1% blitz rate, 41.3% pressure rate), rattling Aaron Rodgers (23-of-39, 187 passing yards, no touchdowns, one interception, four sacks) in the pocket and displacing the timing of the Steelers’ pass and run concepts. That constant pressure led to four sacks and the game-sealing score, as Christian Barmore stripped the ball away from Rodgers at the beginning of the fourth quarter and Elijah Ponder converted on the scoop-and-score. Rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas put the icing on the cake late with an interception on a screen pass that was tipped into the air by Pittsburgh wide receiver Germie Bernard.
The injury bug continued to rear its head, as guard Mike Onwenu was carted off in the first quarter after getting rolled-up on in the pocket. Edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones, tight end Eli Raridon (thigh), and safeties Craig Woodson (shoulder) and Dell Pettus (ankle) also left the game and were unable to return.
New England will be back on the road in Week 3, with a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars slated for Sunday, September 27.
What were your initial takeaways from the Patriots’ win against the Steelers? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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