The Patriots have had time to stew over their Week 1 loss to the Seahawks and now have a chance to rebound Sunday in their home opener against the Steelers.
Here are 10 things we’re watching on Sunday at 1 p.m., when the Patriots take on the Steelers in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium.
• How will Drake Maye respond to perhaps the worst performance of his NFL career and a five-game stretch when he hasn’t played up to his standard from the 2025 regular season? Maye has been under the spotlight this week for his poor decision-making late in last Wednesday’s 13-10 loss to the Seahawks, when he hucked three interceptions in the fourth quarter, including a game-clinching pick with under 30 seconds left on the clock. If Maye looks like last year’s MVP runner-up, then he’ll quiet a lot of doubters. If he struggles, then the spotlight will only get brighter.
• Who steps up for A.J. Brown? Brown suffered a high ankle sprain that will keep him out for at least four weeks. Based on the second half of last week’s contest, Mack Hollins will likely start in place of Brown in the Patriots’ X receiver role. Hollins has been leading off positional drills all week for the Patriots over players like Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas.
Maye will likely need to spread the ball around to replace Brown, however. The Patriots are likely hoping that Doubs, who signed a four-year, $68 million deal this offseason, can live up to that contract and produce in Brown’s absence. Doubs had a bad drop in Week 1 and was held catchless on three targets. He has to be better.
Efton Chism will also likely be active after being a healthy scratch in Week 1. Perhaps he could find an offensive role. Finally, Kyle Williams wasn’t targeted in limited snaps. It might be asking too much for Williams to become a starter, but he can at least use his speed as a decoy to free up space for other wide receivers. If the Steelers don’t respect his speed, then maybe Maye can connect with him on a deep ball for an explosive play.
• Will TreVeyon Henderson fix the run game? Henderson missed Week 1 with an ankle injury. He declared himself good to go on Thursday after being a full participant in practice Wednesday. Henderson adds a big-play threat to the Patriots’ backfield, which struggled to find room against a stout Seahawks defense. The Steelers’ defense is good, but they’re not quite on the same level as Seattle’s.
• This is another big test for the Patriots’ offensive line, which held up relatively well in pass protection against the Seahawks. Offensive tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses will be matched up against edge rushers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Interior offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson and Mike Onwenu must neutralize Cameron Heyward. Vera-Tucker, who was a prized free-agent addition, has to play better than he fared in Week 1.
New England Patriots offensive lineman Will Campbell is pictured during warmups begore an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
• Hunter Henry went off for eight catches on 11 targets for 90 yards and two touchdowns against the Steeles last season. So, that could be a matchup that the Patriots continue to try to exploit. Rookie tight end Eli Raridon, who caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in Week 1, could also be a factor. The Steelers did hold Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts catchless in Week 1.
• The Steelers’ wide receivers could present some mismatches for the Patriots, depending on the availability of cornerback Carlton Davis III. Steelers wideouts DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman are both 6-foot-4 and weigh over 220 pounds. That would be fine on paper if the Patriots had Davis and Christian Gonzalez on the outside. But if Davis, who is questionable with a neck injury, can’t play, then 5-foot-11 Charles Woods is next in line on the depth chart unless the Patriots call on rookie fifth-rounder Karon Prunty, who’s 6-foot-1 and was a healthy scratch in Week 1. Metcalf and Pittman have Aaron Rodgers throwing to them. Rodgers has not been the same player since 2021, when he won NFL MVP. He hasn’t produced a QBR over 44.7 since that campaign.
• The Patriots’ pass rush was actually a pleasant surprise against the Seahawks, generating 19 total pressures, per PFF. Veteran Dre’Mont Jones had a solid Patriots debut with a sack and three quarterback hits. Rookie Gabe Jacas got in on the action with his first career sack. And interior defenders Christian Barmore and Milton Williams provided consistent pressure as well. The Patriots will need more out of starter Elijah Ponder, too.
• The Patriots’ defense must play more fundamentally sound to prevent big plays. Safety Craig Woodson and linebacker Christian Elliss both missed two tackles against the Seahawks. Safety Dell Pettus also missed a tackle while playing as the Patriots’ box safety in their big nickel.
• Will Jaylen Reed take on a bigger role? The Patriots acquired Reed in the Kayshon Boutte trade, but he only played on special teams in Week 1. Reed might be more suited as the Patriots’ third safety once he gets acclimated to the defense.
• The Patriots’ run defense certainly could have been worse against the Seahawks, but they did allow 5.2 yards per carry against rookie running back Jadarian Price. The Steelers have a two-headed attack with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle coming out of the backfield. Warren was the more efficient runner in Week 1.