The Patriots game today carries a different kind of weight than the season opener. New England is coming off a 13-10 loss to the Seahawks, but the Steelers offer a more realistic chance at payback after last season’s 21-14 defeat in Week 3.
That earlier meeting was especially frustrating for the Patriots because they turned the ball over five times. In a one-score game, that kind of self-inflicted damage usually decides everything, and it is a big reason this rematch feels important now.
Why this matchup feels different
The Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, but that does not make this week’s game any less meaningful. If anything, the Steelers matchup is the cleaner revenge spot because it points back to a game New England had a real chance to win before the mistakes piled up.
The passing game is still a central concern. Against the Seahawks, Drake Maye had a hideous fourth quarter, and Hunter Henry finished with three catches for 26 yards. Henry has been a trusted target for Patriots quarterbacks since signing as a free agent before the 2021 season, so his role remains worth watching even when the offense is uneven.
What to watch against Pittsburgh
Last Sunday, Aaron Rodgers threw for 221 yards in the Steelers’ 20-13 win over the Falcons, showing that Pittsburgh can still lean on veteran quarterback play. Rodgers, the 42-year-old who is in between spewing conspiracy theories on podcasts still plays a little quarterback, remains capable of directing an offense that can punish mistakes.
For New England, the answer is simpler: stay on schedule, protect the football and avoid repeating the turnover problems that decided the Week 3 loss. The Patriots’ passing game is also in flux because A.J. Brown is out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain and Romeo Doubs had a poor debut, which only adds pressure on the rest of the offense to stabilize quickly.
If the Patriots are going to turn this into a real rebound game, they need cleaner quarterback play, better ball security and more from the passing attack. Compared with the loss to the Seahawks, this one feels like the better chance to show progress.
