The Pittsburgh Steelers will seek to overcome their miserable history in Foxboro against the New England Patriots, and they desperately need to after two lackluster weeks to start the season. Both teams are 1-1, but 2-1 and 1-2 feel distinctly different for the trajectory of a season.
The Steelers’ secondary is still beat up with Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott out for this game, but they are getting first-round DT Derrick Harmon back after a preseason knee injury. They can really use a spark on their defensive line, even if coaches cautioned limited snaps for him in his NFL regular-season debut.
Can the Steelers overcome their biggest issues of stopping the run and committing to the run on offense? It might not be an easy week to do that against the Patriots’ defensive front, but their secondary is vulnerable with star CB Christian Gonzalez out with an injury.
Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense have looked good throughout the first two weeks, with RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Stefon Diggs, and rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson leading the way.
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Steelers’ Inactive Players
CB Joey Porter Jr.
OLB Alex Highsmith
S DeShon Elliott
OL Andrus Peat
DL Esezi Otomewo
Patriots’ Inactive Players
CB Christian Gonzalez
QB Tommy DeVito (3rd)
WR Elijah Ponder
NT Eric Gregory
WR Efton Chism, III
G Caedan Wallace
Kaleb Johnson was taken off the kick-return unit, and the Steelers elevated Trey Sermon from the practice squad. That seemed to suggest the rookie would be a healthy scratch this week, but he is active. Could the Steelers be planning to give him 5-10 snaps on offense? Otherwise, he won’t be doing much if he’s not on kick return.
START OF GAME
The Pittsburgh Steelers start the game on defense. The kickoff was returned to the 27.
1st and 10, Rhamondre Stevenson up the middle for 4 yards. 2nd and 6, Drake Maye sacked by Cam Heyward for no gain. 3rd and 6, Chuck Clark dropped an interception, but illegal contact gives the Patriots a fresh set of downs.
1st and 10, Stevenson fumbled and Darius Slay recovered. The Steelers take over at their own 46. Cole Holcomb forced the fumble.
1st and 10, Jaylen Warren stopped for no gain, but defensive offsides saves the negative play. 1st and 5, Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf on a quick screen for 15 yards.
1st and 10, Warren around the left end for 9 yards. 2nd and 1, jump cut by Warren to gain 11 yards. The run game is already cooking.
1st and 10, Warren up the middle for 6 yards. 2nd and 4, Warren up the middle for 4 yards. That was six straight carries for Warren.
1st and goal, Warren up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and goal, Warren tackled for a 1-yard loss. 3rd and goal from the 2, Washington interfered with on a fade for a fresh set of downs.
1st and goal, Kenneth Gainwell pitch left for an easy touchdown. 7-0 Steelers.
The kickoff was returned to the 28.
1st and 10, TreVeyon Henderson up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, complete to Mack Hollins for 6 yards. 3rd and 1, Antonio Gibson up the middle to convert for 3 yards.
1st and 10, incomplete pass with Patrick Queen’s pressure. 2nd and 10, Maye complete to Henderson for 5 yards. Darius Slay was injured on the play. He walked off on his own with a slight limp. 3rd and 5, Heyward and Derrick Harmon met at the quarterback for a sack. The rookie’s first big NFL play!
The punt went into the end zone for a touchback, but holding called on Brandin Echols to move them back.
1st and 10, Warren tackled for a loss of 2 by Joshua Farmer. 2nd and 12, complete to Pat Freiermuth for 6. 3rd and 6, Rodgers strip sacked by Milton Williams, but Jaylen Warren recovered. The Patriots were called for holding in the secondary to bail out the Steelers.
1st and 10, quick screen to Jonnu Smith on the perimeter for three yards, but a flag on the play. Low block called on the defense for 15 yards. It was the same penalty that Jalen Ramsey got in Week 1.
1st and 10, Gainwell off right tackle for 12 yards. Rodgers’ fakes after the handoff are so elite.
