5 takeaways from Patriots’ win over Steelers as defense dominates Aaron Rodgers

1. The Patriots secured a 20-3 victory over the Steelers, showcasing a strong defensive performance led by Mike Vrabel. Despite dealing with several injuries, their depth held strong throughout the match.

2. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who had previously fumbled two times against Pittsburgh last year, suffered another fumble in the first quarter, resulting in the Steelers recovering the ball. This turnover occurred after a 29-yard pass play from Drake Maye to Hunter Henry, which put the Patriots in field goal range.

3. Rookie tight end TreVeyon Henderson made a significant impact, scoring the first touchdown of the game with a 39-yard run in the first quarter. He started the drive after the Steelers' first turnover, where he ran for 5 yards after initially gaining 1 yard on a third-and-1.

4. Despite a slow start to the offense, the Patriots' defense continued to hold the Steelers back. They held the Steelers to a three-and-out twice in the first half, only allowing them to pick up two first downs on their third drive. However, the Steelers missed a crucial 57-yard field goal, keeping the Patriots in control.

5. The Steelers managed to score for the first time in the second half with a 56-yard field goal from Chris Boswell. However, the Patriots' defense remained strong, stopping Pittsburgh's offense multiple times. Despite the injuries and challenges faced, the Patriots improved to a 1-1 record heading into their next challenging road games in Jacksonville and Buffalo.