The [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) will not play Sunday, but one game should receive considerable attention inside Gillette Stadium.
Pittsburgh visits Atlanta at 1 p.m. ET before traveling to New England for the Patriots’ home opener Sept. 20.
That gives Mike Vrabel and his staff an unusually useful live evaluation of their next opponent. Pittsburgh will reveal its Week 1 personnel groupings, protection plan and defensive approach while New England receives additional time to prepare. The Steelers also face an unexpected quarterback.
Atlanta announced Friday that Cooper Rush will start because Tua Tagovailoa has a right oblique injury. Michael Penix Jr. remains unavailable while recovering from knee surgery.
Patriots Can Study Pittsburgh’s Defensive Plan
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New England’s greatest interest should be how Pittsburgh attacks Rush. The Steelers know Atlanta will attempt to simplify the game around Bijan Robinson. Pittsburgh consequently could load the line of scrimmage, create confusing pressure looks and force Rush into obvious passing situations.
That approach could provide an early preview of the plan awaiting Drake Maye.
Maye threw three fourth-quarter interceptions against Seattle after becoming impatient against zone coverage. The Patriots also lost A.J. Brown to a high ankle sprain, leaving Maye without his best receiver for at least four games.
Pittsburgh will have every reason to test his patience.
New England should pay particularly close attention to how the Steelers disguise pressure before the snap and which defenders they trust in coverage after sending additional rushers.
**MORE**: [Patriots 2025 Draft Pick Put Under Pressure After AJ Brown Injury](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots/news/patriots-draft-pick-put-under-pressure-after-aj-brown-injury/237f5648170388f0b3d20da8)
Extra Preparation Must Become Advantage
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The Patriots have more than a normal week between games because they opened the season Wednesday night. That time matters only if they use it well.
Vrabel’s staff can begin its Pittsburgh preparation immediately, then adjust after Sunday’s film becomes available. Josh McDaniels also can evaluate how Atlanta creates opportunities for Robinson and determine whether similar concepts fit Rhamondre Stevenson or TreVeyon Henderson.
The Patriots cannot change what happened in Seattle.
They can make certain the mistakes produce useful corrections before Pittsburgh arrives.
Sunday’s opener will provide New England with three hours of fresh information about its next opponent. A team attempting to rebound from a painful loss should treat every snap like an ear
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ly part of Week 2 preparation.