Week 3 pits Pittsburgh as 1.5-point road favorites at New England, their first trip to Foxborough since 2008. After a 31-17 Week 2 setback to Seattle, the Steelers must rebound on the road against a Patriots squad fresh off a dramatic win over Miami, their first in Miami since 2019. The betting line hints at respect for Pittsburgh's defense while recognizing New England's home-field edge and the historical context of NE road success against the Steelers.

Two games in, the Steelers face clear roster gaps that could derail their season. They lack a true WR1 beyond Calvin Austin III, need more punch on the defensive line, and their backfield and tackle depth are thin.

With the trade deadline looming, Pittsburgh should target a proven playmaker at wideout, a versatile DL presence, and veteran help on the line or a power back to relieve Warren.

Pittsburgh's defense has spent a league-high 162 million on the cap, yet it has surrendered 31+ points in two straight 2025 games. Talent and schemes aren’t translating into stops, and TJ Watt says the group is too talented to keep failing. The critique targets high-draft payers who aren’t winning blocks or finishing tackles, not just coaching. The Steelers head to New England with little time to fix fundamentals, creating urgency for fantasy managers looming over the matchup.

Two weeks of underperformance raise questions about who to trust in Pittsburgh’s stop unit and whether the upcoming trip to New England becomes a pivot point for lineups. With the defense’s ceiling in doubt, fantasy rosters may lean toward Patriots skill players or avoid Steelers defenders until a real turnaround shows.