Steelers vs Patriots: Expert Picks and Week 3 Showdown
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are set to clash this Sunday in what feels like one of the more intriguing early matchups of the season. Both teams sit at 1–1, so this Week 3 game carries extra weight as each side tries to establish momentum. The meeting will be held at Acrisure Stadium, and it marks the 36th time these two franchises have squared off. Historically, the Patriots have the upper hand with 19 wins to Pittsburgh’s 16.
Now, let’s take a step back and look at how both teams got here. The Steelers opened their season on a high note with a thrilling 34–32 victory over the New York Jets, led by Aaron Rodgers making a strong statement in his debut. But that excitement came crashing down in Week 2 when they were handled by the Seattle Seahawks, falling 31–17 in a performance that exposed some major defensive concerns. On the other side, the Patriots began their season with a disappointing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders but bounced back with an impressive 33–27 win over the Miami Dolphins. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye looked steady, giving New England fans reason to be hopeful.
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What makes this matchup so compelling is how evenly flawed both teams have looked through two weeks. Pittsburgh’s defense, usually the calling card under coach Mike Tomlin, has been gashed on the ground, ranking near the bottom of the league in stopping the run. Meanwhile, New England’s defense has been the worst in the NFL against the pass, which could spell trouble against Rodgers if he gets into rhythm. Both sides have issues that can be exploited, which is why this game is being labeled by many experts as a toss-up.
Predictions from analysts have been pouring in, and while opinions are split, the majority are leaning slightly toward Pittsburgh. Vinnie Iyer and Bill Bender of The Sporting News both predict the Steelers will edge out the Patriots, citing Rodgers’ experience as the difference-maker. CBS’s Pete Prisco also favors Pittsburgh in a close shootout, pointing out that while neither defense has impressed, Rodgers is more likely to deliver late. ESPN’s panel of experts is heavily tilted toward the Steelers as well, with only a couple siding with the Patriots. NFL.com’s predictions were more mixed, with some writers taking New England in another nail-biter.
All in all, the expert tally shows 16 picking the Steelers and nine picking the Patriots. That gap isn’t massive, but it does reflect a small confidence boost in Pittsburgh’s ability to rebound. Still, New England is not being counted out, especially with Maye showing poise and the Pats defense proving stout against the run.
So, what should fans expect on Sunday? Likely a back-and-forth battle where neither team pulls away easily. The Steelers will rely on Rodgers’ arm to attack New England’s weak secondary, while the Patriots may look to pound the ball and let Maye manage the game. With both defenses struggling, a higher-scoring affair could be in store, and the outcome may simply come down to which quarterback makes the final big play.
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