A 20-13 Week 1 victory against the Atlanta Falcons was a positive step for Mike McCarthy’s new regime. It gave the seasoned head coach his first win as the leader of his hometown franchise. But it wasn’t convincing enough to change the Pittsburgh Steelers underdog status heading into an upcoming matchup against New England.
According to ESPN, the Patriots are 5.5-point favorites for Sunday afternoon’s festivities. The odds are not insurmountable. But the line should be a warning for Pittsburgh as they prepare for the first road game of the new campaign.
The surprise isn’t that Pittsburgh is an underdog. It’s that the Steelers remain one despite everything working in their favor. Especially considering Drake Maye’s Week 1 performance didn’t signal an “incoming threat.”
Last Thursday, the former first-round pick threw three interceptions during a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. His decision-making and timing with receivers were poor. It resulted in multiple turnovers and the first loss of the season.
To make matters worse, A.J. Brown also left the game early with a right ankle injury. New England placed the All-Pro on injured reserve. So, he will not take the field against Pittsburgh this weekend.
Without Brown, Romeo Doubs will lead the charge as the lead target. In Week 1, he was targeted three times but failed to haul in a reception. Carlton Davis, their boundary corner opposite Christian Gonzalez, is also out.
I expect Patrick Graham’s defense to take advantage of New England's offensive instability. Josh McDaniels’ offense will be short-staffed, making it easier for Pittsburgh to impose its will. It will allow the group to zero in on making Maye as uncomfortable as possible. Extra pressure in the pocket and simulated blitz packages will surely rattle the young gunslinger.
But it will take more than a stout defensive performance to capture a consecutive win.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must fire on all cylinders against the New England Patriots in Week 2
Protecting the end zone doesn’t appear to be an issue for Pittsburgh right now. Sure, they took on a third-string quarterback to begin the campaign. But the secondary’s performance surpassed expectations.
And they did so without Joey Porter Jr.’s participation.
A consecutive disruptive performance isn’t too much to ask for from Graham’s unit. But they will need assistance from McCarthy’s offense to ensure the final scoreboard reads in their favor.
It’s impossible to win without scoring points. Luckily, T.J. Watt assisted Pittsburgh with six points last week. Without his interception return, the game could’ve ended differently.
The truth is that McCarthy cannot expect Watt to erase offensive mistakes every Sunday. Last weekend, his offense rushed for only 58 yards and converted 3-of-13 third-down attempts. A repeat performance in Foxborough would instantaneously relieve pressure from Maye’s shoulders.
He would no longer need a perfect outing. Instead, he would need to outlast a struggling offense.
I do expect the Steelers offense to improve. Aaron Rodgers played well in Week 1. He looked fluid, agile, and excited to be on the gridiron. But his 40 passing attempts only resulted in one offensive touchdown.
That’s not enough offensive production to win football games. Especially with a future Hall of Fame quarterback leading the charge.
Rodgers eventually connected with Pat Freiermuth on a six-yard touchdown pass. Still, the offense’s struggles were noticeable, and opportunities were missed. Incorporating a balanced run game with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will keep defenders like Christian Gonzalez on their toes throughout the afternoon.
Offensive efficiency must be McCarthy’s main focus heading into the second week of the season. Yes, the Steelers are showing signs of improvement when compared to last year’s results. But they must elevate their performance to overcome underdog odds.
Rodgers doesn’t need to throw 40 times again. Instead, he needs Pittsburgh to turn possessions into touchdowns. Against a Patriots offense missing its best receiver and coming off a three-interception performance, another defense-led escape would raise more questions than answers
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