The Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots is just around the corner, but it won't be a walk in the park like last week's game against the Atlanta Falcons — Pittsburgh will face the reigning AFC Conference Champions this Sunday.
To defeat the Patriots, the Steelers need to lean on these three defensive keys to victory, including a game plan focused on Pittsburgh's top defensive player.
Stop the run
With the Patriots without their top wide receiver in A.J. Brown, running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will likely be the focal point of New England's offensive attack. If the Steelers can stop the run and make the Patriots one-dimensional, there's a great chance they'll walk out of Foxborough with the win.
Let T.J. Watt roam
The Patrick
Graham experiment paid off in a huge way, as Watt's versatility to find success at different positions on the defensive line allowed him to take over the game last Sunday. Whether it's having Watt switch sides consistently throughout Week 2, or even having him drop into coverage on occasion, utilizing this versatility will be key.
Bring back Blitzburgh
The Steelers didn't need to blitz in the Week 1 win over the Falcons, but the Patriots are a different beast altogether. Jaquan Brisker, Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen, and Payton Wilson are capable blitzers who should be called upon to pressure Drake Maye in this upcoming matchup.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' defensive keys to victory for Week 2 matchup vs. Patriots
