Seven Storylines To Follow During Patriots-Steelers Clash

The New England Patriots are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in three seasons…

Yes, that’s a real statistic.

Mike Vrabel’s squad bounced back following their season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, breaking another notable streak by securing a road victory against the Miami Dolphins. It’s time to carry that momentum for the first time in a long time, however, which starts with renewing an old rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

It’s time for another installment of seven storylines:

1. ESTABLISH THE RUN

New England showed competence on the offensive side of the football for the first time in several seasons last weekend, receiving a career-best performance out of quarterback Drake Maye.

It’s still tough sledding on the ground, though.

Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson have combined for 136 rushing yards on 32 carries through two weeks, and though they’ve already taken a step forward, there’s some room for improvement as it pertains to controlling the clock when they start fast — which is the unit’s singular focus at this point.

Pittsburgh is a tremendous opponent to do that against, as they’ve been gashed in back-to-back weeks to open the season by New York Jets running back Breece Hall (107 rushing yards in Week 1) and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker (105 rushing yards in Week 2).

It’ll be more of a collective effort this time around, but expect there to be a running-game focus by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

2. CB1 FACES IMMEDIATE TEST

Christian Gonzalez returned to practice on Wednesday, and though his status remains murky, there’s some optimism that he could make his season debut on Sunday.

Good.

DK Metcalf would be his primary assignment should he return to the fold.

Bad.

Metcalf’s entire calling card is the fact that he’s bigger, faster and stronger than just about everyone else on the field. Gonzalez is nursing a hamstring injury that was bad enough to keep him out of practice for six weeks, so that isn’t exactly a great first test. The Patriots might consider keeping those two away from one another, and if it’s still too early for their star defender to return, will have to get quite uncomfortable coming up with that assignment.

3. EXPANDING THE LEAD

The Patriots have more sacks (9.0) through two weeks than any other team in the NFL.

I was surprised to hear that, too.

New England finished at the bottom of the pack in sacks last season, with their 28 being three fewer than the next closest team (Atlanta Falcons; 31) and less than half of the most productive team (Denver Broncos; 63). I’d say their offseason focus of bringing in pass-rushers has worked out so far, with Harold Landry III (3.5), Milton Williams (2.0) and K’Lavon Chaisson (1.5) all leading the way.

Pittsburgh hasn’t done a great job protecting Aaron Rodgers, so there’s an opportunity to keep expanding that lead.

4. DOUGLAS’ DIMINISHING RETURNS

DeMario Douglas, the franchise’s leading wide receiver in each of the last two seasons, has been a non-factor in 2025.

Douglas was on the field for only a quarter of available snaps last weekend, and has three catches through the first two weeks of the season. Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins have clearly supplanted him on the depth chart, with the former feeling like a better fit in the slot within this offense.

Maye doesn’t seem too worried about it.

“Pop has done such a great job since training camp, since the spring, learning the offense, being in different roles,” Maye explained. “It’s going to find him… I think sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way in the game plan some weeks, and you’ll get some bigger personnel and things like that to run the football.”

I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but I have my doubts.

Diggs, and perhaps even Efton Chism III, could start taking away more of the third-year wideouts playing time.

5. FORCING MISTAKES

The Steelers have fallen victim to more than a few major defensive mistakes early in the season, with their communication seeming to have taken a hit with the departures of Elandon Roberts and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

McDaniels is going to take advantage of that.

McDaniels uses pre-snap motion more effectively than perhaps any play-caller in football, and has opened up quite a few big plays with it over the years — think flea flickers, double passes and running back screens. The Patriots will almost certainly toss one of those into the game plan for Sunday.

6. NOT-SO SPECIAL TEAMS

The Patriots returned a kickoff for a touchdown last week, exactly one play after allowing a punt return touchdown. The Steelers just watched the football bounce around in the end zone before being recovered for a touchdown — by the other team.

It’s been a tough start to the season for the not-so special teams units around the league…

I can’t prove it, but I think something wacky is going to happen in this game.

7. KEAGAN’S BETTING CORNER

Maye hasn’t been afraid to tuck the ball and run, totaling 14 attempts across two games this season and 5.25 attempts per (full) game for his career. The Steelers, as we mentioned earlier, have been horrific against the run.

I’d like to go 2-0 on these picks this season, so let’s all put some good vibes into the universe and will this one to victory.

The Pick: Drake Maye 25+ RUSH YDS (-115 at BetMGM)

What will you be watching for? Let us know in the comments, or send a note @KeaganStiefel on X!