FINAL: Patriots 20, Steelers 3 - Henderson (39 yards), Ponder (off Barmore sack) all the TDs NE needs

Game #2 - Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at Patriots (0-1), 1 p.m.
Location: Gillette Stadium.
TV: CBS-4. Jim Nantz (play-by-play), JJ Watt (color analyst), Tracy Wolfson (sidelines).
Radio: 98.5-FM The SportsHub in Boston (Bob Socci and Scott Zolak). **Bedard will be on the postgame show approximately one hour after the game.**
Online: Live Box | Patriots media notes | Steelers media notes | Flipcard
Latest Line: Patriots -5.5, 41.5 o/u

WEATHER REPORT

Cool, rain in the second half, heavy at times.

INJURY REPORT

ROSTER MOVES

Patriots

Elevated P Mitch Wishnowsky to the active roster for the second straight game.

Steelers

Elevated RB Travis Homer and DB Doneiko Slaughter from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. They will revert back to the practice squad after the game.

The team also placed WR Max Hurleman on the Practice Squad/Injured List.

INACTIVES

Patriots

Steelers

STATS

BEDARD'S TOP MATCHUPS, KEYS TO THE GAME AND GAME PICK

TOP MATCHUPS

• LG Alijah Vera-Tucker vs. DT Cam Heyward: This is the one matchup that really worries me in this game. Heyward has the immense strength that has given Vera-Tucker problems. Vera-Tucker had a rough opener. The Patriots need him to do a lot better here.

• LT Will Campbell vs. OLB Alex Highsmith: Morgan Moses has the tougher assignment with TJ Watt but he'll likely get more help, meaning Campbell will be left alone with the underrated Highsmith. This is a big test for Campbell.

• WR Romeo Doubs vs. CB Asante Samuel: I believe Doubs will get most of his snaps at X for AJ Brown, and with Joey Porter out, that could mean a lot of Samuel. Doubs needs to bounce back.

• CB Marcus Jones vs. WR Roman Wilson: Wilson has a ton of speed, and Jones allowed the game-winning touchdown last year. Rodgers was 1 of 3 on third-down targets to him in Week 1.

• CB Christian Gonzalez vs. WR D.K. Metcalf: Metcalf had two big drops in Week 1, while Gonzalez was at his best against the Seahawks. Aaron Rodgers loves to throw to one-on-one matchups. Covering AJ Brown in practice should have Gonzalez ready for the big-bodied Metcalf. Rodgers was 0 for 4 targeting him on third down in Week 1. 

• DT Milton Williams vs. LG Mason McCormick: The third-year guard allowed a team-high 4 pressures in Week 1.

KEYS TO THE GAME

• Win the turnover battle, please. Between both games against the Seahawks and last season's loss to the Steelers, this one is a layup. Maye needs to watch his handle in the expected rain.
• Get Romeo Doubs going early. That guy needs a dose of confidence. Josh McDaniels needs to find him some easy early receptions.
• Pepper the TEs and RBs with passes. The Steelers don't match up well there.
• Get TreVeyon Henderson in space with the football, run or pass.
• Body Aaron Rodgers. He absolutely hates contact at this point. If you make him jittery, his accuracy won't be good enough.
• Shut down TE Pat Freiermuth, especially in the red zone. Rodgers likes the big fella.
• Worry about Cam Heyward, not the outside linebackers. I know this is probably counter to conventional wisdom, but I think Will Campbell and Morgan Moses can handle Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt, respectively. I'm more worried about Alijah Vera-Tucker against Heyward. He could ruin the gameplan.

BEDARD'S GAME PICK

Season: 1-0 straight up, 0-1 spread.

Line: Patriots -5.5. O/U: 41.5.

This is pretty simple. Maye usually rebounds (he was outstanding in Miami after the opening stink bomb against the Raiders last year), and I'm sure he'll double down on his ball security after the fourth quarter in Seattle.

This will be a bit of a rock fight, but the Patriots will eventually pull away.

Patriots 24, Steelers 16.