Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: SIT
Aaron Rodgers completed 60% of his attempts and avoided an interception, but threw the ball 40 times and came away with just 221 yards. Not exactly a vintage discount double-check performance. A-A-Ron is too old for rushing production and threw just a single touchdown. He’s a Superflex bye week fill-in, nothing more. Oh yeah, and Christian Gonzalez is on the other team this week.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: FLEX, RB3
Rico Dowdle: FLEX, RB3
We still have no clue what to make of this backfield. Jaylen Warren had 10 carries and six targets, but only played 23.1% of 3rd downs. Rico Dowdle handled carries and four targets, but got the team’s lone red zone carry while also playing 69.2% of 3rd downs. Until things shift in either direction, both are unsexy FLEX options.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR3
Michael Pittman Jr: START, WR3
Roman Wilson: SIT
Yeah, DK Metcalf had 10 targets, nine of which were first-read and five of them deep. But I just can’t get excited about starting a receiver on the Steelers with the crusted shell of Aaron Rodgers under center. Michael Pittman only saw three targets but caught all three of them and added nine yards after the catch per reception YAC. Pittman had 18 more yards than Metcalf on seven fewer targets. You can’t ignore the 10 targets for Metcalf, but this is a situation I’m avoiding if possible.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: SIT
Darnell Washington: SIT
You’re not starting either, but did you see Darnell Washington KILL A GUY?!
Darnell Washington gave Xavier Watts the NASTIEST stiff arm you’ll ever see.
The Steelers TE might be the SCARIEST we have at the position in the game 🤯🔥
(Via Steel_City_Recaps/IG) pic.twitter.com/uE48UbYtNJ
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) September 13, 2026
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers: START
The matchup is a lot less scary with an A.J. Brown-less Pats offense, but the Steelers defense is a start more weeks than not.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
Drake Maye spent the early part of the game trying to avoid pressure, leading to a couple of scrambles, throwaways, and mostly short completions on rollouts. With about nine minutes left in the half, the Pats lined up with two tight ends at the two-yard line, and Maye dropped back and found rookie Eli Raridon for a wide-open touchdown. Maye and Romeo Doubs were not on the same page the entire game, and A.J. Brown hurt his ankle after being targeted on third down. Maye settled for a lot of short outs, though he did connect with Doubs deep off play action once. Or at least he would have if Doubs didn’t let it bounce right off his hands. Maye threw three picks, and the loss of Brown makes that ceiling a whole lot lower. But Maye should stay in borderline QB1 land until AJB returns.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: START, RB2
Treveyon Henderson: SIT
Corey Kiner: SIT
I apologize, Mr. Rhamondre Stevenson, sir. Your 18 carries, six targets, and 100% of third down snaps place you firmly in RB2 range. Although that was without TreyVeyon Henderson active, Mondre is still the guy for the Pats and is startable nearly every week. Henderson returned to practice and looks on track to play, but I’m not ready to risk him in my lineup until we see how the Pats distribute touches.
Wide Receiver
A.J. Brown: IR
Romeo Doubs: FLEX, WR4
DeMario Douglas: SIT
Romeo Doubs and his gigantic helmet are FLEX-worthy only bc he’s pretty much it. DeMario Douglas offers a little more upside, but a floor that’s about as low as the basement. He’s a poor man’s Wan’Dale Robinson, if such a thing exists. Mack Hollins did also earn 5 targets in Week 1, but starting him in Week 2 feels like trying to play four-dimensional chess in a two-dimensional space. He also doesn’t believe in the concept of shoes.
Tight End
Hunter Henry: tHe gLoB
The tight end equivalent of a paper clip. He should see an increased role without AJB, so consider him a Premium Globber for now.
Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots: STREAMER
With a low game total and Pittsburgh’s plodding offense, NE DST is a fine start in Week 2.