The New England Patriots moved to 1-1 on Sunday, beating the Steelers 20-3 in an unimpressive offensive affair.
Drake Maye’s struggles continued into Week 2, but the team still managed a win despite his poor interception and AJ Brown.
The win marked the first time Mike Vrabel had beaten the Steelers in his coaching career, and the defense made sure their coach ticked the box against their AFC North foes.
Christian Elliss forced a fumble that led to a comedy of errors, pushing the Steelers back from field-goal range to a 4th-and-43 punt. Christian Gonzalez had DK Metcalf’s number all day, holding him to just four catches on 9 targets for 27 yards.
A strip sack by Christian Barmore led to an Elijah Ponder scoop-and-score, while rookie Gabe Jacas intercepted a juggled Germie Bernard pass to seal the game.
While most of the happenings in defense were positive, injuries were a major drawback. One of those injuries sidelined starting safety Craig Woodson, a potentially critical blow to the secondary.
Missing out of Craig Woodson is a major blow to the secondary
Woodson had a strong rookie season that culminated in a fantastic playoff run. Against the Texans in the Divisional Round, he recorded an interception and a fumble recovery after going all season without a takeaway.
While his safety partner Jaylinn Hawkins departed in free agency, Woodson has played alongside three-time All-Pro and 2025 interceptions leader Kevin Byard. With his apparent injury, New England’s secondary could be in trouble.
Aside from Woodson, safety and core special teamer Dell Pettus also left the game. Brenden Schooler isn’t much of a defensive contributor, but he's also on PUP. The Patriots missed Carlton Davis against the Steelers, and his status for Week 3 against the Jaguars remains up in the air.
If Woodson, Pettus, Schooler, and Davis all miss Week 3, the Patriots will be in a difficult position. Charles Woods saw time in place of Davis in Week 2, but the Patriots will need to replace Woodson ahead of next week. Jaylen Reed will inherit that responsibility.
Jaylen Reed will be expected to take the starting safety reins
The Patriots made the somewhat controversial move of trading Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans last month. In exchange, they received a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft and second-year safety Jaylen Reed.
Reed, originally a sixth-round pick out of Penn State, saw extensive defensive action for the league’s newest organization during the latter half of the season. That included 53 defensive snaps against the Patriots in the Divisional Round, a career high.
He was primarily deployed as a special teamer in the first game and a half, but saw his first defensive action in the second half after Woodson went down. Overall, he logged 28 defensive snaps against Pittsburgh.
Reed has Big Ten experience and a year of NFL football under his belt. While he may not be an elite, starting-caliber player yet, one of the best defenses in football last season trusted him to fill in when their season was on the line.
Additionally, New England could opt to make a practice squad elevation or two. The top candidate is likely Mike Brown, who spent time with Vrabel in Tennessee before being signed in the spring. They also have Elliott Davison stashed on the practice squad, a second-year player out of UTSA.
Woodson's eventual return will be a massive boost to the defense, but Reed filling in as a serviceable safety would be the glue the secondary needs to remain elite.
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