Mother Nature isn't doing the New England Patriots any favors ahead of their Week 2 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The forecast for Sunday at Gillette Stadium is looking wet, with AccuWeather projecting a 90% chance of rain and temperatures dipping to 62 degrees. If you're heading to Foxborough, pack a poncho — it's going to be a soggy afternoon.
Rain tends to be the great equalizer in football, and this matchup could hinge on which offense handles the slippery ball better. The Patriots, coming off a heartbreaking 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, are desperate to avoid an 0-2 start. But facing a Steelers defense that thrives on disruption, wet conditions could amplify their problems.
New England head coach Mike Vrabel knows exactly what his team is up against. He's already warned his players about the havoc T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh front seven can create.
“They’re going to be big inside, they’re going to be long and active on the edges,” Vrabel said, via Athlon Sports. “Defensively, if you better don’t take care of the edges, it’s going to be an issue. Strip sacks, interceptions, um, [Cam] Heyward and [T.J.] Watt have probably 64 PBUs in the last five years, and that’s pass rush PBUs. Their ability to create ball disruption even if they don’t get there. Great length, sound. They tackled well. They caused some turnovers.”
That's a scary thought for a Patriots offense that already turned the ball over in Week 1. Quarterback Drake Maye threw a game-losing interception in the red zone against Seattle, and the unit struggled to find any rhythm. Now they're facing a Steelers defense that feeds on mistakes, and the rain only increases the odds of fumbles and errant throws.
New England's injury report doesn't help either. Wide receiver A.J. Brown was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain, and he's expected to miss at least six weeks. That's a significant blow to a passing attack that needed all the weapons it could get. The Patriots will need someone to step up, but in a downpour against T.J. Watt, it won't be easy.
For Pittsburgh, the wet conditions might actually be a blessing. Their defense is built to pressure quarterbacks and force turnovers, and a slippery ball plays right into their hands. If the Steelers can rattle Maye early, they could turn this into a long day for the home crowd.
This isn't the first time weather has impacted a big game this season. Just last week, a lightning delay halted the No. 6 Oregon vs. Oklahoma State matchup, showing how quickly conditions can alter the course of a contest. Sunday's forecast may not bring lightning, but the rain could be just as disruptive.
Patriots fans are already on edge after that brutal Week 1 loss, and the thought of another disappointing performance in the rain isn't sitting well. The pressure is mounting on Maye and the offense to bounce back, but facing a defense like Pittsburgh's in these conditions is a daunting task.
Will the Patriots find their first win of the season, or will the Steelers' pass rush and the weather prove too much? One thing's for sure: Sunday's game is shaping up to be a gritty, grind-it-out battle where every possession matters.
