The stakes could not be higher for either team entering Sunday’s Week 3 matchup between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the Patriots, all eyes are on Christian Gonzalez to hopefully make his season debut. For the Steelers, their own version of Gonzo, third year corner Joey Porter Jr., has already been ruled out for the second straight week.
Porter won the team’s award for rookie of the year in 2023. But then went on to take a step back last season, posting a disappointingly low PFF grade despite making more than 70 tackles in 16 games. Now the starter will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury suffered Week 1.
Additionally, high profile edge rusher Alex Highsmith has been axed for Sunday’s contest. Highsmith, who has recorded nearly 30 sacks over the last three seasons, started the year strong with an eight tackle performance against the New York Jets in Week 1. He was able to get to Fields once in the season debut, bringing him down for a sack. He was injured in last week’s loss to the Seahawks and the Patriots are fortunate that the duo of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith will not be active.
Other Injuries In Pittsburgh
The safeties are the strength of this Pittsburgh defense but their depth will take another hit as DeShon Elliott will miss his second straight game with a knee injury. Elliott balled out Week 1 making six tackles, including five solo.
Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was a full participant at the team’s final practice of the week, despite rumors saying that he was trending towards missing the game at New England. He has earned a questionable designation so time will tell if last year’s first round pick will be good to go Sunday.
Finally, cornerback Darius Slay and linebacker Patrick Queen were also beat up in Seattle. I believe both players will be active, but they will undoubtedly not be 100% in this battle between to wild card hopefuls.
Patriots Are Underdogs At Home
Foxboro has not been kind to New England in recent years. A place that was once a feared destination for every team in the league is now just another road spot. With one team coming off a win, and one coming off a loss, Vegas is giving the nod to the latter with Pittsburgh laying -1.5.
It is safe to say the crowd should be rowdy this week coming off it’s first win of the season, and against an opponent that became a rival during the Golden Age of Patriots’ football.
Additionally, the Steelers are beat up coming off of allowing 30+ points in back to back games to start the year. They did so only twice all season last year.
The Pats haven’t been able to stop a nose bleed, surrendering a league high 315 passing yards a game. However, with Christian Gonzalez’s return on the horizon and entering Week 3 in a brand new system, there are plenty of signs pointing towards improvement in the Patriots locker room. While those same signs can be used to draw concern from a Steelers team that was supposed to hang it’s hat on the D.
ESPN’s newest match-up indicator is giving the Pats the slight edge, with a 50.0 win probability to the Steelers’ 49.6.
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