The Golden Rule in Foxborough: Win the Turnover Battle, Win the Game

Turnovers will decide Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against Pittsburgh.

Following last week’s loss to Seattle, Mike Vrabel spoke to the media and addressed the importance of winning the turnover battle.

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“We can’t turn the ball over and we have to create more turnovers. There’s a few things we have to eliminate that get you beat in this league,” said Vrabel.

Since taking over the Patriots last season, including the playoffs, when the Patriots win the turnover battle, they are 10-0, and when they tie in turnovers they are 4-1.

With rain in the forecast, turnovers could occur in several ways. A wet football could lead to a perfect throw from Drake Maye being dropped or batted down at the line of scrimmage by one of Pittsburgh’s elite pass rushers.

Rhamondre Stevenson Factor

During last season’s Week 3 matchup, Pittsburgh’s defense made a concerted effort to force turnovers, totaling 5 turnovers in the game, and Rhamondre Stevenson was responsible for two lost fumbles.

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In a game where New England will look to establish the run to open up passing lanes, ball security will be a top priority.

A Conservative Drake Maye

Aside from a running back in Stevenson who has a history of putting the football on the ground, fans will also be monitoring how Drake Maye bounces back from his three-interception fourth quarter.

When Maye is at his best, he is aggressive. After all, you aren’t the runner-up in MVP voting by simply throwing checkdown passes to your running backs. But Sunday’s matchup against a veteran defense and a coordinator who already has the blueprint for how to beat him in Patrick Graham in rainy conditions may change that.

For New England to win on Sunday, Josh McDaniels needs bounce-back games from two of his best offensive players. And while neither may light up the box score when it’s all said and done, as long as turnovers are at least held to a minimum, the Patriots will be in a great spot to be 1-1 on the young season, with two tough road games coming up in the following weeks.

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 10:36 AM.