The Patriots and Steelers will meet for the first time since the Patriots traveled to Pittsburgh for a Thursday Night Football game on Dec. 7, 2023, a 21-18 Patriots win. Pittsburgh will travel to Gillette Stadium for the first time the opening day of the 2019 season when New England took a 33-3 victory on Sept. 8, 2019. Since 2000, New England is 14-4 against Pittsburgh, including the postseason, and the Patriots are 6-1 all-time against the Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
This week's matchup will mark the 36th meeting overall. The series is tied, 15-15, in the regular season, while New England leads 4-1 in the postseason. The Patriots are 5-4 in home games against Pittsburgh and 2-0 in home postseason games against the Steelers.
The teams played in the AFC Championship Game during the 2001, 2004 and 2016 playoffs, with the Patriots winning each time en route to Super Bowl titles. The teams also met in the 1996 and 1997 Divisional Playoffs. The Patriots defeated Pittsburgh, 28-3, at Foxboro Stadium en route to their Super Bowl XXXI appearance. Pittsburgh beat New England the following season, 7-6, at Three Rivers Stadium.
The Patriots' first regular season home game at Gillette Stadium was a season-opening 28-21 win on Sept. 9, 2002, against Pittsburgh.