TreVeyon Henderson TD Beats Steelers

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson broke a 29-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and the Patriots rolled to a 20-3 home win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at rainy Gillette Stadium. Henderson's crease through the line was the first real stamp on a defensive afternoon that never let Aaron Rodgers settle.

Christian Barmore later strip-sacked Rodgers, and Elijah Ponder returned the fumble 19 yards for a touchdown with 13:37 left. New England outrushed Pittsburgh 137-91 and held a 327-235 edge in total yards. The Patriots finished with four sacks. Gabe Jacas added a late interception of Rodgers to seal it.

Rodgers completed 23 of 39 for 187 yards with his first interception of the season. Jaylen Warren managed 43 rushing yards on 11 carries plus two catches for 34. Chris Boswell missed a 56-yard try. Pittsburgh went 2-for-12 on third down and opened with consecutive three-and-outs. Mike McCarthy called the offensive day not good enough and started the blame with himself.

Fantasy rooms that started Henderson just cashed an early long touchdown in a game that stayed low-scoring. Do not invent a 100-yard day from one 29-yard burst without the full box. Do treat New England's run game as real when the pocket collapses around Rodgers. Steelers skill players left Gillette quiet.

Rodgers said nobody on the Steelers side had an exceptional game and blamed the missing rhythm after early three-and-outs. Germie Bernard led Pittsburgh receivers with four catches for 35 yards. Derrick Harmon paced the defense with eight tackles. Herbig added seven with three for loss. Watt's line after the loss was simple: you play to win, and they did not. Henderson's early burst made sure New England never had to chase.

Steelers defense without the ball

T.J. Watt had 1.5 sacks. Alex Highsmith added another. Nick Herbig forced a fumble. Patrick Queen picked Rodgers once. None of that mattered once the offense stayed stuck on third down and the fumble bounce turned into Ponder's score. Pittsburgh also lost snaps to attrition on both sides of the ball in a physical, wet game.

Henderson's early touchdown set the tone. New England never trailed. For Week 2 road travelers, that is a cold Gillette stamp. Keep Henderson in the weekly mix when the Patriots script early runs.

Gillette final

Patriots 20, Steelers 3. Henderson from 29. Ponder's scoop seal.

Early burst. Late takeaway. New England stays home happy.