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Patriots Host Steelers With Payback and Pressure on the Line
By @sharedot · · 6 pages
New England's home opener brings a chance for measured revenge after last season's five-turnover loss, with the Patriots favored by 5.5 points.
What happened: a rematch with history
The New England Patriots welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Gillette Stadium for their home opener, kicking off at 1 p.m. in Foxboro. The matchup carries a specific grudge: when these teams met in Week 3 last season, also at Gillette, the Patriots turned the ball over five times, including four lost fumbles, in a 21-14 loss. CBS News notes the two teams played nearly to the day one year ago. Both sides enter off opening-week stumbles — New England fell 13-10 in Seattle, while Pittsburgh beat Atlanta 20-13 behind a T.J. Watt pick-six.
Why it's surprising: a bad game, not a referendum
The Boston Globe pushes back on the discourse after Drake Maye's three-interception fourth quarter against the Seahawks, calling the reaction absurd. The Globe notes Maye was an MVP runner-up in his first full season as a starter, led New England to a Super Bowl clinched with a bootleg in Denver snow, and won three more playoff games last season than Justin Herbert has in his career. Coach Mike Vrabel's framing: be "aggressive, but not reckless."
Players to watch on both sides
According to The Boston Globe, tight end Hunter Henry had arguably his best 2025 game against Pittsburgh — eight catches on 11 targets for 90 yards and two touchdowns — and becomes more important with A.J. Brown out 4-6 weeks on a high ankle sprain. The Globe also flags Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, fresh off the ninth Defensive Player of the Week honor of his career, and safety Kevin Byard, who has never intercepted Rodgers despite 36 career picks. CBS News reports Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt are on the CBS call.
The stakes and what comes next
According to CBS Sports, the Patriots are favored by 5.5 points at home with the total set at 43.5 despite the opener loss. The Globe argues the game is a must-have with trips to Jacksonville and Buffalo looming, predicting Patriots 20, Steelers 13 if New England keeps mistakes to a minimum. Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 221 yards against Atlanta per CBS News, remains the opposing variable. The Globe's nostalgia note: Gillette Stadium opened against Pittsburgh on September 9, 2002, with a 30-14 win — Vrabel, then a player, had an interception.