Steelers vs. Patriots: Early defensive numbers leave room for doubt, but no clear bet
Pittsburgh's opening defensive performance deserves attention, but its offensive limitations complicate the case against favored New England.
One week offers an incomplete picture
The Pittsburgh Steelers visit the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT in Week 2 of the NFL season. Pittsburgh enters 1-0 after beating Atlanta 20-13; New England is 0-1.
The Patriots' official game preview lists Pittsburgh with 238 yards allowed, including 118 passing yards, and four sacks in its opener. New England allowed 285 yards and recorded two sacks. Turnovers also favored Pittsburgh's opening performance: the Steelers finished plus-one, compared with New England's minus-three. Those results give Pittsburgh an encouraging defensive starting point, but one game cannot establish how consistently either team will perform.
Pittsburgh's offense supplies the counterargument. The Steelers converted 3 of 13 third downs, while Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle combined for 61 rushing yards. Aaron Rodgers completed three passes of at least 20 yards to wide receivers and a 19-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth. That combination shows some passing production alongside difficulty sustaining possessions. New England finished its opener with 277 total yards and 10 points.
Availability complicates the matchup
Pittsburgh's injury report says Patriots receiver A.J. Brown is out for at least four games with an ankle injury. New England cornerback Carlton Davis III and tackle Dametrious Crownover missed Thursday's practice.
The Patriots' report also lists Pittsburgh receiver Michael Pittman Jr., tight end Darnell Washington and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward as Thursday nonparticipants. Tackle Troy Fautanu and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. were limited. Those practice designations leave availability questions; they do not establish that those players will miss Sunday's game.