The Patriots return home to Foxborough in Week 3 for a matchup against a 1-1 Pittsburgh Steelers team led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Patriots are fresh off a gritty win in Miami and looking to keep the momentum going against a Steelers team that fell apart late against the Seahawks last week after starting their season off with a win over the Jets.
Pittsburgh has the veteran leadership and talent, but injuries are adding up and the Steelers defense is 29th in both points and yards. That could mean opportunities for Drake Maye and the Patriots offense, but the Patriots have some defensive concerns of their own; they've allowed the most passing yards in the NFL through two weeks.
It's an intriguing matchup between two AFC foes trying to get a conference win and move to 2-1. Here are the three things to watch.
1. Pressure Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers is still deadly from the pocket. He's completing 62.5% of his passes and has five touchdowns to two interceptions. However, his ability to avoid the rush isn't what it once was. Rodgers has taken seven sacks through two games, and those kinds of hits can add up at 42 years old.
The Patriots must keep the pressure on Rodgers. Last week, their pass rush didn't truly come alive until the fourth quarter in Miami, but when it did, it closed out the game with authority. They'll need a full 60-minute effort from the pass rushers this week to help contain the future Hall of Famer.
New England now ranks first in the NFL with nine sacks and ninth in pass rush win rate. Harold Landry (3.5 sacks) and Milton Williams (2 sacks) lead the charge, while Christian Barmore (9 QB pressures) and K’Lavon Chaisson (1.5 sacks, 9 pressures) have been disruptive. If the Patriots can get home with that potent front four, they'll be in great shape.
2. Attack the Steelers with a Balanced Offense
The Steelers defense has plenty of familiar names, but they've allowed almost 400 yards of offense in each of their first two games. Their rushing defense ranks 28th in EPA, while their passing defense is 27th, giving the Patriots plenty to consider when putting together their game plan. Reproducing last week's balanced attack against Miami would be ideal.
But that might go against historical wisdom. Josh McDaniels took to the air early and often against Steelers teams of the past, even with their constant array of potent pass rushers that continues to this day with T.J. Watt. Is Drake Maye ready for that kind of approach? The smartest bet is to continue to ride the surging running backs like Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson to open up the big plays in the passing game.
The Patriots can't let the Steelers talented defense get on track this week.
3. Sync Up Coverage
Similarly, the Steelers will want to target the Patriots pass defense, which currently ranks 28th in EPA, 31st in DVOA and 32nd in passing yards. Communication breakdowns and soft zone coverage, often in the middle of the field, have led to explosive plays, and that's a concern against D.K. Metcalf, who has seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown so far this season and can change the game in an instant.
Former Patriot Jonnu Smith (team-leading nine receptions) and running back Jaylen Warren (18.0 yards-per-reception on six catches) might be even bigger concerns as the Steelers look to target New England's linebackers and safeties with quick, easy throws underneath for Rodgers. Getting the coverage married with the pass rush is critical for the Patriots going forward.
The Patriots completely changed their defensive approach from Week 1 to Week 2 and a similar change could be forthcoming against Pittsburgh. Will they stick with the heavy zone coverage and limited blitzing like they did in Miami? Or will they go back to a more aggressive approach with more man coverage like they ran vs. the Raiders? It will be hard for Pittsburgh to figure out any tendencies and that's an advantage that New England should make the most of.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
