WEEK 2 · Sun 09/20 · 1:00 PM EDT
PATRIOTS: Game Release (PDF) | Roster | Depth Chart | Stats
STEELERS: Roster | Depth Chart | Stats | Roster Flip-Card (PDF)
The New England Patriots will return to the confines of Gillette Stadium for the 2026 home-opener when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. It is the second straight season that the Patriots will host Pittsburgh. Last year, the Steelers beat the Patriots, 21-14, on Sept. 21. Pittsburgh is the second of four straight opponents that New England will face that made the playoffs in 2025. The Patriots opened against Seattle, host Pittsburgh this week, and then travel to face Jacksonville and Buffalo.
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots and Steelers will meet for the second straight season at Gillette Stadium in the month of September. Last season, the Patrtiots hosted Piittsburgh on Sept. 21 and dropped a 21-14 decsion after a five-turnover game (4 fumbles and 1 interception).
Since 2000, New England is 14-5 against Pittsburgh, including the postseason, and the Patriots are 6-2 all-time against the Steelers at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots are 4-1 against Pittsburgh in the postseason.
This week's matchup will mark the 37th meeting overall. Pittsburgh leds the all-time regular season record with a 16-15 mark, but the series is tied at 5-5 in the regular season when New England hosts Pittsburgh.
The teams played in the AFC Championship Game during the 2001, 2004 and 2016 playoffs, with the Patriots winning each time en route to Super Bowl titles. The teams also met in the 1996 and 1997 Divisional Playoffs. The Patriots defeated Pittsburgh, 28-3, at Foxboro Stadium en route to their Super Bowl XXXI appearance. Pittsburgh beat New England the following season, 7-6, at Three Rivers Stadium.
The Patriots' first regular season home game at Gillette Stadium was a season-opening 28-21 win on Sept. 9, 2002, against Pittsburgh.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall Record: 19-17 (includes postseason)
Home Record: 7-5
- Gillette Stadium: 6-2
- Foxboro Stadium: 1-3
Road Record: 12-12
- Heinz/Acrisure Field: 8-3
- Three Rivers Stadium: 4-9
TALE OF THE TAPE
| 2026 REGULAR SEASON | NEW ENGLAND | PITTSBURGH |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Divisional Standings | 2nd (T) | 1st (T) |
| Total Yards Gained | 277 | 264 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 277.0 (22) | 264.0 (25) |
| Rush Offense | 109.0 (17) | 58.0 (32 |
| Pass Offense | 168.0 (24T) | 206.0 (13) |
| Points Per Game | 10 (28T) | 20.0 (22T) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 285 | 238 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 285.0 (13) | 238.0 (3) |
| Rush Defense | 97.0 (12) | 120.0 (18) |
| Pass Defense | 188.0 (16) | 118.0 (2) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 13 (5T) | 13 (5T |
| Possession Avg. | 34:17 | 28:53 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 3/10 | 2/15 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 2/12 | 4/25 |
| Total Touchdowns Scored | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 7/50 | 7/52 |
| Punts/Avg. | 4/44.3 | 4/48.5 |
| Turnover Differential | -3 (31T) | +1 (8T) |
CONNECTIONS
FORMER PATRIOTS
Coaches
- Tight Ends Coach Robert Kugler (2024-25)
- Chief of Staff Steve Scarnecchia (2014-20)
- Defensive Coord. Patrick Graham (2009-15)
FORMER STEELERS
Players
- LB Robert Spillane (2019-22)
Coaches
- Head Coach Mike Vrabel (1997-2000)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
- TE Hunter Henry enters the 2026 season ranked fourth in receiving yards with 2,999. He needs 1 receiving yard this week to join Rob Gronkowski (7,861), Ben Coates (5,471) and Russ Francis (3,157) as the only Patriots tight ends to reach 3,000 receiving yards.
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson entered the 2026 season in fifth place on the team's all-time rushing list and currently has 3,720 career rushing yards. If he gains 80 yards rushing this week vs. Pittsburgh, he will move past Curtis Martin (3,799) into fourth place on the all-time list.
- Stevenson enters this week's game in ninth place on the team's all-time list with 28 rushing touchdowns. If he has 2 rushing touchdowns against Pittsburgh, he will join Jim Nance (45), Sam Cunningham (43), Corey Dillon (37), Steve Grogan (35), LeGarrette Blount (34), Tony Collins (32) and Curtis Martin (32) as the only Patriots players with 30 rushing touchdowns. He has had 2 rushing touchdowns in a game six times, with the last one occurring in the 2025 regular season finale vs. Miami on Jan. 4, 2026.
- Stevenson has 191 career receptions, the fifth-most among all New England running backs. He needs 9 receptions in 2026 to join Kevin Faulk (431), James White (381), Tony Collins (261) and Sam Cunningham (210) as the only New England running backs with 200 career receptions.
- K Andy Borregales connected on a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter at Seattle last week and has now made all five of his career 50-yard field goal attempts. The Patriots record for most consecutive 50-plus field goals is eight by Stephen Gostkowski (2013-15). The NFL record for most consecutive 50-yard field goals to start a career is Brandon Aubrey with Dallas, who made 16 straight 50-yard field goals (2023-24).
ROOKIE WATCH
- 2026 sixth-round draft pick LB Namdi Obiazor became the first Patriots player since at least 2000 to record 3 special teams tackles in his very first NFL game. If he registers 3 special teams tackles this week against Pittsburgh, he will be the first Patriots player with at least 3 special teams tackles in back-to-back games since LB Jack Gibbens had 3 special teams tackles vs. Carolina (9/28) and at Buffalo (10/5) during the 2025 season.
- 2026 second-round draft pick LB Gabe Jacas registered his first NFL sack in his first NFL game when he dropped Drew Lock for a 7-yard loss in the second quarter at Seattle last week. If he records a sack this week against Pittsburgh, he will join DE Chandler Jones (2012) and DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (2017) as the only Patriots rookies to record a sack in each of their first two NFL games.
- 2026 third-round draft pick TE Eli Raridon's first career reception was a 2-yard touchdown pass from QB Drake Maye in the second quarter at Seattle. He is the 13th Patriots rookie to catch a touchdown pass on kickoff weekend. Raridon is the 11th Patriots player to score on his first career reception since 1990.
- If he has a touchdown reception this week against Pittsburgh, he will be the third rookie and first since WR Deion Branch in 2002 to record a touchdown reception in each of his first two career games. Branch scored a 22-yard touchdown vs. Pittsburgh (9/9) and a 49-yard touchdown at the New York Jets (9/15). WR Jim Colclough also caught a touchdown pass in each of his first two games in 1960.
- Overall, four Patriots rookies scored touchdowns in their first two games: Colclough in 1960, RB Sam Cunningham in 1973 (2 rushing touchdowns), RB Robert Edwards (a rushing touchdown in his first six games) in 1998 and Branch in 2002.
BROADCAST INFO
TELEVISION: This week's game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4. Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play duties with J.J. Watt as the color analyst. Tracy Wolfson will report from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Jim Rikhoff and directed by Mike Arnold.
NATIONAL RADIO: This week's game will be broadcast to a national audience on Sports USA. Larry Kahn will call the game with former Patriots kicker and all-time leading scorer Stephen Gostkowski providing analysis.
LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's stations can be found here. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.
For information on how to stream the game please visit our Ways to Watch guide.
