How to watch Steelers vs. Patriots NFL Week 2 for free today

The New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The game will air on CBS, which you can stream free on DIRECTV.

Tonight’s matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots

When: Sunday, Sep. 20, 1 p.m. ET

Stream: DIRECTV (free trial), FuboTV (free trial)

DIRECTV (free trial) and FuboTV (free trial) both offer CBS for virtually the same price. Fubo’s “Pro” package costs $88.99, while DIRECTV’s “Entertainment” package is $89.99. Both options offer a free trial and money off the first month of subscription. Your free trial will start once you create an account.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots will meet Sunday, Sept. 20, in a matchup featuring two franchises trying to establish early-season momentum behind young talent and improving defenses.

Pittsburgh enters the game looking to build on an encouraging Week 1 performance that showcased its offensive upside. The Steelers have surrounded Aaron Rodgers with more playmakers than in recent seasons. The bigger question is whether they can maintain balance against a Patriots defense that traditionally excels at taking away an opponent’s primary strength.

The Patriots will need more consistency from Drake Maye and their offensive line, however, against a Steelers front led by T.J. Watt and one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass-rushing units. Pittsburgh’s ability to pressure quarterbacks without heavy blitzing often allows its secondary to capitalize on mistakes.

One of the most intriguing battles will be New England’s rushing attack against Pittsburgh’s run defense. If the Patriots can stay ahead of the chains and avoid obvious passing situations, they can limit Watt’s impact and keep the game on their terms.

For Pittsburgh, winning on early downs will be critical. If the Steelers force New England into third-and-long situations, their pass rush could dictate the game. With both teams still defining their identities in 2026, Sunday’s matchup could hinge less on star power and more on which offense handles pressure and situational football more effectively.

Joey Aliberti is a Sports Commerce Reporter for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, covering sports, TV, streaming and tickets for teams including the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, New York Giants, New York...

This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Syracuse.com staff.