Neither team has played a snap yet this season, so form here means last year's tape, not a hot streak. New England closed 2025 winning 4 of its last 5 before running into the Seahawks buzzsaw in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh's stretch run was uglier — a 6-30 no-show against Houston to end the year is a big part of why the Steelers overhauled both their coaching staff and receiver room this offseason.
That last-5 card tells two different stories: a Patriots team that proved it belongs and a Steelers team trying to prove last year's exit was a fluke. Pittsburgh's offensive line adds another layer of uncertainty — left tackle Broderick Jones is working back from a spinal fusion with no clear timeline, which is exactly the kind of thing that can undercut a shiny new receiver room fast.
Pittsburgh's injury report doubles as a roster reshuffle — Rico Dowdle now shares work with Jaylen Warren, Darnell Washington got paid to stay with a four-year extension, and Nick Herbig's four-year, $100 million deal signals the Steelers still view their front seven as this team's identity no matter who's under center. New England's list leans more on camp battles than actual injuries: Terrell Jennings is fighting for a No. 3 running back job, and Eli Raridon is trying to lock down a real role behind Henry at tight end.
Betting markets aside, this is a measuring-stick trip for two franchises headed in opposite emotional directions — Pittsburgh betting on a legend's last lap, New England betting last year's magic wasn't a one-off. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET at Gillette.