Two of the most successful NFL franchises in history face off this Sunday as the New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams enter the game with 1-1 records, but the Steelers are the betting favorites, even on the road.
Pittsburgh is still riding the high of their Week 1 offensive explosion against the New York Jets, where Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock.
One player could completely flip the script. If Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III is at the top of his game, this matchup could turn into an unexpected blowout.
Carlton Davis III could earn Patriots a massive win in Week 3
New England spent big on its defense this offseason, making multiple big-money signings. Two weeks into the season, they haven't exactly seen a return on their investment. They've given up at least 20 points in each of their games this year, including a lackluster performance against a spiraling Miami Dolphins team.
If the Steelers' offense is as competent as it seems, they could be set to make the Patriots' spending look like a major mistake. But if Davis proves himself worthy of his new contract, this defense could finally start to look like what it was built to be.
The veteran cornerback thrives by using his physicality and sticky man coverage ability to erase the player lined up across from him. His big frame and sneaky footwork make him one of the most underrated defensive backs in the league. He and Christian Gonzalez form a dominant cornerback duo, capable of shutting down even the best passing attacks.
But with Gonzalez at risk of missing his third consecutive game, the burden is on Davis to slow down the Steelers' receivers.
He'll likely spend plenty of time Sunday lined up opposite D.K. Metcalf. Pittsburgh's top wideout can be a dangerous weapon, especially down the field. To make matters worse, he excels at beating the exact kind of coverage Davis depends on. Metcalf's strength allows him to consistently beat press coverage, and his speed leaves defensive backs in the dust. In fact, PFF has graded him as one of the best receivers in the league against press coverage looks. If Davis isn't up for the task, this game could quickly get ugly.
The Patriots' cornerback will need to have one of the best games in his career to shut Metcalf down. If he does, it could lead to a crucial New England victory.