The Patriots have an opportunity to win back-to-back video games for the primary time for the reason that 2022 season when the Steelers come to Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
The Steelers are favored on this recreation regardless of getting blown out at residence by the Seahawks 31-17 in Week 2. The Patriots are coming off a hard-fought 33-27 win over the Dolphins in Miami.
Right here’s what we’ll be watching in Week 3:
- All eyes shall be on Drake Maye, as he takes on his boyhood idol Aaron Rodgers. Maye informed the Herald final season that he had a cellphone case with Rodgers’ image on it when he was rising up. He took time to talk to Rodgers final season after the Patriots misplaced to the Jets on the street. However we’ll discover out Sunday if Maye can replicate his spectacular efficiency within the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Dolphins. It was the most effective begin of Maye’s profession and solely his second profession win in a recreation he performed from starting to finish. The Dolphins have the NFL’s worst protection by two weeks, in accordance with EPA/play allowed. The Steelers aren’t too far behind at twenty seventh. In addition they rank twenty seventh in dropback EPA/play allowed and twenty sixth in dropback success price. So, Maye ought to thrive once more in Week 3. We’ll see if he’s up for the duty.
- Let’s see if rookie operating again TreVeyon Henderson can bounce again from Week 2 and if he can begin to persistently flash among the playmaking skill he confirmed within the preseason. Henderson was brutal in blitz pickup final Sunday, permitting one sack and getting flagged twice for holding. He was flagged a 3rd time for holding on a kick return. By means of two video games, Henderson has eight carries for 37 yards and has caught eight passes for 54 yards.
- We puzzled why Rhamondre Stevenson performed a lot greater than Henderson in Week 1. That query was answered in Week 2 when Stevenson was probably the greatest gamers on the sector, and Henderson struggled with penalties. Let’s see if Stevenson can construct on his efficiency towards a protection that ranks twenty eighth in rush EPA/play allowed and twentieth in speeding success price allowed.
- Vast receiver DeMario Douglas performed simply 15 snaps in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins because the Patriots leaned on Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins and extra two-running again and two-tight finish units. One challenge with Douglas receiving extra enjoying time is that it appears the Patriots don’t belief him as a run blocker. Douglas is the smallest of the Patriots’ large receivers and isn’t as skilled as Diggs or Hollins.
- Diggs has been strong by two weeks with 10 catches for 89 yards, however we’d wish to see extra out of the veteran large receiver as he continues to recuperate from a torn ACL suffered final October. One factor we are going to say about Diggs is that he appears totally purchased in primarily based on every part he’s proven off the sector.
- One other powerful check for the Patriots’ offensive line with T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward coming to Foxboro. The Patriots’ cross blocking was a serious vivid spot in Week 2 regardless of going through Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Zach Sieler, Matthew Judon and Chop Robinson. Watt is the Steelers’ finest defender. He primarily performs on the defensive left, which means he’ll be Morgan Moses’ accountability. That also means rookie left deal with Will Campbell and rookie left guard Jared Wilson might want to cope with Heyward. They do catch a break with Alex Highsmith out. Backup outdoors linebacker Nick Herbig has additionally been a productive pass-rusher in his profession.
- Is it time to make a change at linebacker or too early? Robert Spillane, regardless of his missed tackles and points in protection, isn’t going wherever. However Christian Elliss has additionally struggled by two weeks, and head coach Mike Vrabel appears to be a fan of backup linebacker Marte Mapu, who obtained a recreation ball for choosing off Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa within the Week 2 win. Mapu didn’t play on protection in Week 1. He performed seven snaps in Week 2 as he continues to get acclimated at linebacker, the place he transformed from security this offseason. Maybe these snaps improve now.
- The Patriots’ protection, as a complete, has struggled by two video games, however defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore reside as much as their potential. The Steelers’ offensive line ranks twenty first in PFF’s O-line rankings forward of Week 3. There are some weaknesses to assault on the Steelers’ line, particularly at left deal with. They allowed 13 pressures to the Seahawks. Williams, Barmore and Harold Landry III might capitalize this weekend.
- The Steelers solely sometimes play two large receivers at a time of their 12-personnel heavy offense that leans on tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez is proscribed, and Vrabel stated this week that the Patriots would make a dedication on his enjoying standing nearer to gametime. If Gonzalez can’t play, count on Carlton Davis III to cowl DK Metcalf with Marcus Jones on Calvin Austin. Jones and Austin are each undersized gamers, in order that’s a very good matchup for the Patriots. It will be splendid to have Gonzalez to cowl Metcalf, however Davis will not be a foul backup choice.
- Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams is again within the facility, per Vrabel, however they’ll proceed with inside linebackers coach Zak Kurh calling performs. “I simply wish to attempt to get some continuity, and with the state of affairs most likely being fluid, we’ll keep on with the identical plan that we had final week,” Vrabel stated.
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