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.

Warren piled up 134 yards from scrimmage and a 65-yard burst, single-handedly keeping the Steelers in the game as Seattle pulled away. Herbig provided a timely lift with a 41-yard interception return after stepping in for the injured Highsmith. Pittsburgh’s offensive line lingered in trouble, Kaleb Johnson muffed a crucial kickoff, and the defense slipped to 30+ points allowed again. The 1-1 start leaves fantasy managers weighing Warren’s workload, Herbig’s pass-rush upside, and the Steelers’ volatility going forward.

Steelers must clamp Seattle’s two-headed backfield, dial up pressure on Sam Darnold, and win third downs to keep drives off the field. After a rough showing vs Jets, Pittsburgh leans on T. J. Watt to spark the pass rush, while stout run defense and timely stops shape fantasy upside—Watt’s sack ceiling and Seahawks’ balanced attack.

From a fantasy lens, Watt becomes the primary catalyst if the Steelers can collapse the pocket. Seahawks RBs Charbonnet and Walker III are workload bets in a game-script that could tilt on efficiency in short-yardage and third-down scenarios. Monitor game flow and substitution patterns for optimal lineups.

Micah Parsons is expected to be on the field for the Cowboys in Week 1 against the Eagles, per coach Brian Schottenheimer, despite ongoing contract stalemate and Parsons’ hold-in. Dallas hopes to line up against Philadelphia with its game-changing edge rusher ready to go in about two weeks, a critical factor for fantasy managers eyeing Dallas’ defense and Parsons’ IDP upside. The business side will sort itself out, Schottenheimer said with a smile. Parsons remains under a $24 million fifth-year option, and his next contract is shaping up to be the league’s top payday for a non-quarterback, surpassing even TJ Watt’s $123 million deal over three years. Clarifying the outlook, the report notes Parsons has not practiced in training camp as the sides stay at an impasse.

The pricetag and trade request headline the situation, but Parsons’ resolute presence could drastically shift Week 1 projections. If he suits up, Dallas’ defense immediately gains ceiling in sacks and tackles for loss, while the offense must account for Philadelphia’s ferocious front. Fantasy players should monitor his health status, potential ramp-up time, and how the Cowboys rotate him in early downs versus the high-octane Eagles offense. The broader implication: Parsons’ availability could swing defensive streamer decisions and adjust dynasty-league valuations as we approach the opening weekend.