3 Bold Predictions for Steelers at Patriots in Week 2
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Foxborough for their first road game of the 2026 season, looking to build on their Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. While there were plenty of positives in Week 1, Pittsburgh will face a different challenge against a New England Patriots team that is eager to avoid an 0-2 start.
Week 2 could also provide a few opportunities for the Steelers to make a statement on both sides of the ball. From Aaron Rodgers taking more shots downfield to T.J. Watt continuing his dominant start, here are three bold predictions for Pittsburgh’s matchup with the Patriots.
Aaron Rodgers Throws for 300+ Yards
Rodgers finished Week 1 with 221 passing yards, but one thing is clear: Mike McCarthy is going to stretch the field. National media pundits spent the entire offseason insisting that wouldn’t happen, but Rodgers is taking more time to throw than he did last year and targeting deeper areas of the field. This week, the Steelers will take shots downfield once again.
Roman Wilson got off to a strong start in Week 1, consistently creating separation, and Pittsburgh has other weapons capable of making plays downfield.
The Steelers were only a few plays away from making Week 1 a much wider margin on the scoreboard. If not for a few defensive pass interference penalties and drops, there’s a very good chance Rodgers would have surpassed 300 yards last week. He will reach that mark this week.
T.J. Watt Has 3+ Sacks
National pundits said Watt was washed and that Pittsburgh overpaid him. Watt must not have gotten that memo, as he put on a show in Week 1. Even after his performance against Atlanta, plenty of doubters remain about whether he can continue to be effective.
His ability to time the snap and win at the line of scrimmage hasn’t gone away, as he showed on Sunday.
Watt is going to have another big day against a Patriots offensive line that has improved but still has some questions. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham used Watt in more ways than simply lining him up in a wide-9 outside the right offensive tackle. He will continue putting Watt in positions to win, and Watt will capitalize.
Rico Dowdle Runs for 75+ Yards
This prediction doesn’t seem particularly “bold,” but it is still a stout Patriots defense that shut down a better Steelers ground game last season. Pittsburgh needs to find a way to get its rushing attack going, and what better way to do it than on the road against the defending AFC champions?
The Steelers don’t need to rush for 200 yards per game, but they do need an effective ground attack. Averaging four to five yards per carry, or better, should be enough to keep the offense balanced. Dowdle is a physical, grinding back who has thrived under McCarthy before.
Read more Paige Spiranac Appears To Come To The Defense Of Sydney Sweeney
This week, he shows why the Steelers went out and signed him in free agency.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
Post Comment