3 things Patriots must do even better to get back on track against the Steelers

It may seem hyperbolic to call a Week 2 game a "must-win," but it certainly seems that way for a New England Patriots team that's already down its best receiver heading into a pivotal home opener against the 1-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Obviously, leveling their record at 1-1 should be the Patriots' top priority, since they had a prime opportunity to leave Seattle with a win before Drake Maye literally threw the game away in the fourth quarter.

However, earning a win will only come with better play and better game planning

So, if Mike Vrabel and Co. plan on righting the ship in front of the Foxboro faithful, here are three things that need to happen:

3 things the Patriots need to do if they want to beat the Steelers in Week 2

Get Rhamondre Stevenson rolling

Put the Seahawks game in the past.

No matter how bad the running game looked in Week 1, the Patriots (aka Josh McDaniels) can't let that stop them from sticking to their roots. This offense—especially without A.J. Brown—isn't built for empty sets with Drake Maye in the shotgun.

At its core, this team is built around the run game, which opens up the passing attack.

Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the offense's highest-paid players for a reason—he's that valuable and effective (when given proper blocking). Feeding him early and often will help the offensive line establish a rhythm, force the linebackers and safeties to come downhill, and take pressure off Maye to start the game.

Once that happens, then McDaniels can get creative with play-action and read-option plays, and perhaps sprinkle in some TreVeyon Henderson for good measure.

Plus, let's not forget about Stevenson's confidence. He committed two costly fumbles against the Steelers in last year's matchup, so giving him a chance to exact revenge and build confidence will only help him in the short and long term.

Rhamondre should have at least 20 carries in this contest, and expect him to see plenty of action on third downs, too. When this guy gets going, the rest of the offense will, too.

Let Christian Gonzalez take away DK Metcalf

First-year defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr doesn't need to get cute here. The Patriots didn't make Christian Gonzalez the highest-paid corner in NFL history just to let him play zone.

Robert Kraft agreed to guarantee $102 million to a player who rarely touches the ball so he can keep it out of a No. 1 receiver's hands.

Gonzalez may be at a size disadvantage against DK Metcalf, but who isn't? He has the deep speed to keep up with the big-bodied wideout, and Gonzalez has far better footwork and agility.

You don't pay a corner $33 million a year to let him watch an opponent's best weapon get open against another defender. You pay him to line up across from Metcalf on every snap and let him earn that paycheck.

With the way Gonzalez performed in the postseason and in Week 1, I'm fully on board the "he's arrived" train. Let him prove to the Steelers and any naysayers that he's the best player at his position by sticking him on the two-time Pro Bowler and making him an afterthought.

Seems simple enough, right?

Force Romeo Doubs to step up

Notice a theme here?

The Patriots paid a hefty price to pry Romeo Doubs from the Green Bay Packers, and they got absolutely zero return on their investment in Week 1.

In fact, if not for Drake Maye's disastrous fourth-quarter meltdown, most of the attention would have fallen on Doubs for his inexplicable drop right before Maye's final interception.

Doubs is undoubtedly a talented player, but can he be a reliable target? Can he overcome a critical mistake and focus on the present? Is he mentally tough enough to withstand the scrutiny that comes with playing for the Patriots?

The coaching staff can't wait to find out those answers.

With A.J. Brown out, Doubs has to become Maye's No. 1 option. That means he'll have to get open against No. 1 corners, though thankfully the Steelers won't have Joey Porter Jr. on Sunday.

Doubs could take the glass-half-full approach and see Brown's absence as an opportunity to prove the Patriots right for signing him to a four-year, $80 million deal.

Or, he could let Week 1 linger and allow a lack of confidence to lead to more mistakes and missed opportunities.

For the Patriots' sake, let's hope they get their money's worth in Week 2.

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