5 takeaways from Patriots’ win over Steelers as defense dominates Aaron Rodgers

September 21, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

FOXBOROUGH – It wasn’t always pretty, but the Patriots will take it.

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After losing their season-opener in Seattle, Mike Vrabel’s team played their home opener on Sunday in front of a packed crowd looking for something positive to root for.

As the afternoon in Foxborough unfolded, it was a mixed bag for fans in attendance.

The Patriots started the game with a turnover before taking the first lead of the game. The first half was ugly with a mixed bag from Drake Maye and his offense. It was a good thing that Vrabel’s defense was stout and had little issue slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense.

During the game, the Patriots dealt with a worrying amount of injuries. Over four quarters, the team saw Michael Onwenu (ankle), Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder), Eli Raridon (thigh), Craig Woodson (shoulder) and Dell Pettus (ankle) depart the game with injuries.

Their depth was tested but they hung on for four quarters in this 20-3 win over the Steelers. The Patriots improve to 1-1 as they head into a tough stretch of their schedule with two road games in a row in Jacksonville and Buffalo.

Here are the top takeaways from Sunday’s win:

One RB fumbles, another breaks through

For Rhamondre Stevenson, playing the Steelers brought up bad memories. Last year, the running back fumbled twice against Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately, that trend continued on Sunday.

Stevenson fumbled in the first Patriots series with the Steelers recovering the ball. The turnover happened at 11:32 of the first quarter following a 29-yard pass play from Drake Maye to Hunter Henry at the 34-yard line.

That put the Patriots in field goal range, but the ball was knocked loose by Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig, who also recovered the ball. Last season, Stevenson had three fumbles total - two against Pittsburgh and another in Week 5 before finishing the season clean.

The Patriots defense held strong and the Steelers didn’t score any points off the first turnover of the game.

Following Stevenson’s fumble, TreVeyon Henderson started the Patriots’ second drive at running back. Five plays later, it paid off with the first touchdown of the game.

Henderson scored a 39-yard touchdown at 8:29 of the first quarter to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead. The running back’s first carry went for 5 yards. Following a defensive offside penalty, Henderson picked up the first down on third-and-1.

On the next play, he hit a hole and never looked back, burning the Steelers defense in the process. This marked Henderson’s first game of the season after sitting out last week with an ankle injury.

Rookie shines but Patriots lose starter

Eli Raridon made quite the first impression inside Gillette Stadium.

The rookie tight end made a ridiculous 30-yard catch at 1:31 of the first quarter. Raridon also drew a defensive pass interference penalty on the play but did a great job jumping up and holding onto the ball. The tight end suffered a thigh injury on the play and was ruled questionable to return.

That set up the Patriots at the 6-yard line. Unfortunately, the offense ended up going backward and also lost a starting offensive lineman.

Michael Onwenu suffered an injury to his right ankle at 1:08 of the first quarter. It looked like T.J. Watt slammed into the side of Onwenu’s leg. The right guard was taken off the field by a cart and replaced in the lineup by Greg Van Roten.

The Patriots immediately ruled Onwenu out of the game.

Andy Borregales finished this drive with a 30-yard field goal at 14:14 of the second quarter and the Patriots led 10-0.

Defense held strong

The Patriots defense did a good job stopping Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in the first quarter. The unit held Pittsburgh to a three-and-out to open the game. Following the fumble, the Steelers went three-and-out, again.

Pittsburgh moved the ball, picking up two first downs, on their third drive. Their kicker, Chris Boswell, missed a 57-yard field goal at 4:15 of the first quarter.

In the middle of the second quarter, it looked like the Steelers would get on the board as they were 22 yards away from the end zone. However, at 7:35 of the second quarter, things got wild.

On this play, Christian Elliss nailed Rodgers, crushing the quarterback and forcing a fumble. After that, several players looked like they were playing hot potato with the ball before Steelers tackle Troy Fautanu recovered it for a loss of 36 yards. That set up a fourth-and-43 and Pittsburgh punted.

Patriots veteran edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones suffered a shoulder injury on the play and was ruled questionable to return.

The Steelers got on the board for the first time with a 56-yard field goal from Boswell as time expired in the first half. The Patriots led, 10-3.

Offense started slow in the third quarter

Drake Maye giveth and Drake Maye taketh away.

That summed up the start of the third quarter for the Patriots.

Maye started the second half with a 29-yard-deep ball to Romeo Doubs, setting up the offense at the 33-yard line. The positive momentum didn’t last long. Maye was intercepted by Patrick Queen on the next snap at 12:59 of the third quarter.

Maye tried to connect with Hunter Henry, but the tight end was double covered. The decision led to an easy interception for the Steelers.

Unfortunately for the Patriots offense, it didn’t get much better in the third quarter.

The offense looked good in its next drive. Kyle Williams hauled in a 10-yard pass on third-and-6. Rhamondre Stevenson then ran for a gain of 24 yards. The back’s next carry went for 9 yards, setting up a second-and-1.

The Patriots failed to pick up 1 yard on the next two downs – Henderson was stuffed and Efton Chism’s screen pass lost 2 yards. Next, Borregales missed a 47-yard field goal attempt at 3:55 of the third quarter.

The next Patriots drive started at the opposing 7-yard line. Maye made quick work to get downfield, hitting Romeo Doubs for a 63-yard pass play. That set the group up at the 29-yard line.

The offense didn’t move much closer to the end zone, but this time, Borregales hit a 45-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 13-3 lead with 43 seconds left in the third quarter.

Defense closes it out

The Patriots played complementary football on Sunday as their defense dominated.

That was evident in the start of the fourth quarter.

Christian Barmore strip-sacked Rodgers with 13:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. As the ball bounced on the turf, Elijah Ponder picked it up and ran 19 yards for the touchdown. That gave the Patriots a commanding 20-3 lead.

In an instant, this once-close matchup looked like an easy win for the Patriots.

Later in the fourth, the Steelers got all the way to the 4-yard line. However, Ponder sacked Rodgers for a loss of 13 yards. On the next play, Gabe Jacas intercepted Rodgers, sealing the Patriots’ victory.

That marked the first interception of the rookie’s NFL career.