FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The New England Patriots dealt with a lot of injuries during their home opener, but it was the next man up mentality that helped power the team to a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 20-3.
There was some good, but also some bad, as the offense continues to struggle at times. But the defense powered through and made some major plays in big moments, including putting pressure on Aaron Rodgers to force turnovers.
Here are the key takeaways from Sunday's Week 2 win:
1. Welcome back TreVeyon Henderson
After Stevenson's fumble, it was TreVeyon Henderson who took the field for the next drive and had quite a debut for the 2026 season. Maye's first pass to Reggie Gilliam was incomplete, with the quarterback throwing it a bit too high for the fullback. Then,
Henderson took it five yards. On third down, it appeared as if Maye got sacked, but the Steelers were called for offsides, giving the Patriots another opportunity with 3rd-and-1. Henderson bodied his way through for the first down. And then, on the next play, he burst through a sea of Pittsburgh defenders for a 39-yard rushing touchdown.
A lot of credit to DeMario Douglas as well, who had an impressive block to create a gap for Henderson that allowed him to break free. Morgan Moses was on the pull, with some nice blocks by Mack Hollins, Jared Wilson, and Alijah Vera-Tucker as well.
Henderson finished the game with 16 carries for 76 yards, with his longest being the touchdown.
2. Patriots dealt two crushing injury blows
The Patriots suffered a devastating injury blow in the first quarter, as Mike Onwenu went down with an ankle injury. After Drake Maye was sacked, Onwenu appeared to get rolled up, remaining on the ground after the play. Trainers came out, with captain Morgan Moses remaining on one knee beside him. Eventually, the cart came out, and Onwenu was taken off the field.
He was immediately declared out for the remainder of the game with an ankle injury.
Then, in the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers was completely blindsided, took a massive hit, and the ball came loose. What resulted was a chase, with both teams trying to get it under control. Dre'Mont Jones was injured during the play, clearly in a lot of pain and throwing his helmet down on the ground in frustration. He walked off on his own, but couldn't move his right arm, and headed straight to the locker room. He was listed as questionable to return, but was downgraded to out at the start of the second half.
The injuries didn't stop there, with tight end Eli Raridon being ruled as questionable to return with a thigh injury at one point, while safety Dell Pettus was also marked questionable to return with an ankle injury. Safety Craig Woodson was also listed as questionable with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, and it was Jaylen Reed who came on to replace him. All three were downgraded to out in the fourth quarter.
After the game, head coach Mike Vrabel said he "didn't have any updates" regarding the injured players.
3. Edge defenders step up after Dre'Mont Jones goes down
Gabe Jacas and Elijah Ponder did an incredible job of filling the void that was left after Jones' injury. Ponder finished the game with three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery that he ran in for a touchdown. That occurred after Christian Barmore got past the Steelers' offensive line, delivering a hit on Rodgers that knocked the football loose. Ponder was right there to scoop it up, running it in for a 19-yard touchdown, marking the first score of his career.
As for Jacas, after getting his first sack in Week 1, he managed to record the first interception of his career in Week 2 after Rodgers threw the ball to rookie receiver Germie Bernard, but he couldn't hold onto it and it popped out, falling into Jacas' hands.
"These guys have all been practicing and working really hard. I'm just proud of them," head coach Mike Vrabel said after the game. "You look over there, and they got T.J. Watt and (Alex) Highsmith and (Nick) Herbig, and we got Ponder and Jacas and Q. So, I'm proud of our guys for going out there and being ready."
Another moment worth talking about was when Gabe Jacas' sportsmanship was on full display as the rookie edge defender brought down Aaron Rodgers, with the quarterback just narrowly managing to get the ball out to avoid the sack. After the play was over, Jacas immediately stuck his hand out and helped Rodgers get up, checking to make sure he was okay before running back to the defense.
4. Deja vu for Rhamondre Stevenson
Last year, Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled twice against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Sunday's game started similarly. The Patriots were firing off on all cylinders to start, with Drake Maye hitting DeMario Douglas for a nine-yard gain followed by a four-yard run by Stevenson. Then, Maye hit Henry for a gain of 30 yards. But it was the next play when Stevenson tried to do too much, and the ball was punched out, with Pittsburgh recovering it. The Steelers were called for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting) on the recovery, which forced them to start 15 yards back.
Luckily, the Patriots' defense forced another three-and-out, and an impressive Marcus Jones return allowed New England to start their drive on Pittsburgh's 49.
Stevenson bounced back, having some nice runs later in the game. He finished with six carries for 43 yards, with his longest being 24 yards.
5. Drake Maye makes another questionable decision
Drake Maye started the third quarter strong, connecting with Romeo Doubs for a 29-yard deep ball. However, shortly after, he was intercepted by Patrick Queen with 12:59 remaining in the third quarter. On the throw, Maye tried to hit Hunter Henry, who was in double coverage.
Vrabel was asked about his level of concern with the offense as they have managed to only score 10 and then 13 points in back-to-back weeks to start the season.
"We're just trying to win the game," he said. "You're not going to ruin my Sunday, but I'll come back to you tomorrow."
6. Christian Gonzalez vs. DK Metcalf
With Michael Pittman out for the Steelers, it made the secondary's job a bit easier, especially considering Carlton Davis was sidelined. For Christian Gonzalez, he spent the majority of the game shadowing DK Metcalf and kept the receiver from making an impact during the game.
Metcalf was targeted nine times, but finished with just 27 yards. As for Gonzalez, he logged a pass breakup and four combined tackles.
7. Romeo Doubs bounces back
Along with the 29-yard reception, Doubs' best play of the day came during the third quarter, with New England beginning the drive from their own eight-yard line. Maye hit Doubs for a 63-yard gain, with the receiver being left wide open in the middle of the field. However, the Patriots weren't able to get into the end zone, instead settling for a field goal.
"Romeo dropped one ball last week in the first game," Vrabel said, alluding to it being overblown in the media. "We get back to work. People drop passes. People miss tackles."
8. Andy Borregales played a risky game
After Maye's 63-yard pass to Doubs, the drive stalled, and Borregales came on for a 45-yard field goal attempt. The ball floated in the air and appeared to be going wide, but curved in, giving the Patriots a 10-point lead going into the final frame.
And what made this a little scarier is that just before, Borregales missed a 47-yard field goal attempt at 3:55 of the third quarter.
Borregales finished the night going 2-for-3 on field goals as well as making both of his extra point attempts.
9. Christian Barmore wrecks havoc on Pittsburgh
Christian Barmore recorded his first forced fumble since the 2023 season, and it came at the perfect time. The defensive tackle knocked down Rodgers, who fumbled the ball as a result. Elijah Ponder was right there, scooping up the ball and running it into the end zone for a score.
And what made that play even better was on the one prior, Barmore drew a hold, pushing the Steelers further back into their own territory.
10. Other notes
- After signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a Patriot, Stephon Gilmore was in attendance for the home opener and served as the Keeper of the Light.
- Drew Bledsoe was also spotted at the game, seen talking on the sidelines with Robert Kraft pregame.
- WR Mack Hollins was the Patriots' game day captain
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 10 takeaways from Patriots' 20-3 win over Steelers
