Patriots-Steelers preview: How Drake Maye can beat Aaron Rodgers in Week 3

It s easy to forget but four of the last five Patriots-Steelers games have been decided by one outcome Sunday should be no different Both teams are - ahead of their first battle in New England since with Pittsburgh slated as a slight road favorite Last weekend Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers dropped a disappointing home opener to the Seahawks because of a couple turnovers and a major special teams gaffe The Pats meanwhile are trying to win back-to-back games for the first time in almost three years following a highlight-laden - win in Miami After topping the -point mark for the first time since that same season will Mike Vrabel and Co end another franchise drought this week Here s what to watch for Sunday When the Patriots run Where is T J Watt That has been the starting point for opponents battle plans thus far against Pittsburgh which has allowed six yards per carry on runs away from Watt through two games according to ESPN The former Defensive Athlete of the Year is not the same elite pass rusher he once was but his run defense still ranks among the best in the league among edge defenders The Patriots will want to stray from Watt who typically aligns to the offense s right even if the Steelers find new solutions to stop runs off the left side After that it s up to Rhamondre Stevenson to continue latest tackles like he did last week Stevenson s six broken tackles at Miami were a single-game high dating back to last October And if the Pats can squeeze more from rookie TreVeyon Henderson rush yards in two games big plays could await against a leaky Steelers defense that s allowing more than points per challenge When the Patriots pass More time and play-action please Drake Maye enjoyed the best start of his young career last weekend against the Dolphins thanks partly to an adjusted battle plan and much improved pass protection The Pats offensive line allowed just two pressures and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels cranked up his use of play-action throws Maye threw his first touchdown after a play fake and should be able to exploit Steelers linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson in the same manner Both rank among the worst coverage linebackers in the league per Pro Football Focus grades New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the huddle during the first half of an NFL football tournament against the Houston Texans Sunday Oct in Foxborough Mass AP Photo Greg M Cooper Watt and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward will be the focuses of the Patriots protection plan with edge rusher Alex Highsmith one sack QB hits last week ruled out Heyward will test rookie left guard Jared Wilson and center Garrett Bradbury in a way they haven t been this season One question how much work will the wide receivers see Former All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey seems rejuvenated through his first two games as a Steeler and no Patriots wideout topped yards last week in Miami Kayshon Boutte did points a first-quarter touchdown but that was the only catch he made all contest Meanwhile Stefon Diggs played just of the Pats offensive snaps in South Florida and has receiving yards on the season When the Steelers run Last week the Patriots missed tackles in Miami If they can fix that for this weekend they should control the Steelers ground battle Jaylen Warren leads Pittsburgh with just rushing yards while Kenneth Gainwell yards is the only other back of note Warren has broken five tackles this season per Pro Football Focus and drew praise from Vrabel this week Overall though the Steelers run offense ranks th by opponent-and-situation-adjusted metric DVOA because of below-average blocking The Steelers offensive line rates as one of the worst run-blocking units in the league by greater part advanced metrics That may change with time but the fact is Pittsburgh doesn t boast great talent around starting center Zach Frazier Look for the Patriots to control the interior of the line through defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore which leaves only questions on the edge and at the second level where Robert Spillane eight missed tackles and Christian Elliss six must wrap up We ll have to tackle much better Vrabel commented Wednesday That ll be a critical part of this championship plan Related Articles New Patriots Get to know center Garrett Bradbury better on and off the field things we re watching in Patriots Week matchup with Steelers Patriots Mike Vrabel recalls starting career with Steelers ahead of Week Mike Vrabel provides injury updates on key Patriots players Patriots top defender Christian Gonzalez practices for third straight day When the Steelers pass Whether or not Christian Gonzalez suits up Sunday D K Metcalf should be the focal point of the Pats coverage plan He is the Steelers clear-cut No receiver a menace at -foot- and pounds with breakaway speed and two Pro Bowls to his resume Metcalf also leads Pittsburgh with targets though Rodgers has spread the ball around The Steelers next top targets are the small and speedy Calvin Austin III five catches yards tight end Jonnu Smith nine catches yards Gainwell six catches yards and Massachusetts native Pat Freiermuth a trusted tight end More than largest part teams Pittsburgh loves to operate from two-tight end personnel fielding Smith and Freiermuth together or one of them with the gigantic Darnell Washington That ought to force the Patriots into plenty of base defense with just four defensive backs which will put pressure on players like Spillane Elliss and safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson to cover -on- However the Steelers line up look for the Pats to force Rodgers to hold on to the ball Through two weeks he s graded out as one of the NFL s worst quarterbacks on throws that take longer than seconds from snap to throw He s completed just of his passes for yards two touchdowns and two picks around seven sacks taken per PFF Match pick Patriots Steelers