Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy coaches his first game with the team against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to edge out a 20-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, but they have a much more difficult task this week as they are set to take on the AFC defending champion New England Patriots.
Former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden isn’t letting that be an excuse, though, and demands the team makes a statement on the road in Week 2.
“We need to dog walk the Patriots,” Haden said on the latest episode of his Deebo & Joe podcast. “Because the first week we had a bye, we had a warmup. Now, we’re playing a legitimate squad. Let’s go out there and whoop their tails. We did what we had to do, we came out victorious versus the Falcons. Now, I’m saying we need to go out here and let the Patriots know what type of timing we’re on.”
That will certainly prove to be no easy task. While the Patriots are entering the game 0-1, they still have a lot of talented pieces on their team.
New England is also set to get back second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson this week after he had missed Week 1 with an ankle injury.
That could prove to be bad news for the Steelers, who allowed Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson to rack up 173 total yards and one touchdown last week.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams last season — Dale Zanine / Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
That isn’t to say Henderson and Robinson are on the same level, but Henderson certainly has elite speed similar to that of Robinson, and the Patriots likely took notice.
On the bright side, the Patriots will be without wide receiver A.J. Brown, who was placed on injury reserve this week after suffering a right high ankle sprain in Week 1. It will not be easy for New England to replicate his presence on the field.
With that said, Haden seems to be strongly on the Steelers side, but there is certainly an argument for both sides in this matchup and that it won’t be one-sided as he may be hoping for.
Mentioned In This Article:Joe Haden New England Patriots Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers