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20252026NFLWeek 2

Marquee NFL Matchup This Sunday Could Get Bombarded With Brutal Weather

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Rain at NFL game.
Rain at NFL game. (Photo via Reuters Connect)

Sunday in Foxboro already looks messy. The New England Patriots-Pittsburgh Steelers clash is at 1 p.m. at open-air Gillette Stadium. AccuWeather’s Foxboro afternoon page doesn’t show the best forecast for the game.

The Boston Globe’s weekend desk still gives the first half a chance. Sunday morning looks dry. Showers rise through the afternoon. Mid-60s under clouds. The Globe said the game could stay dry into the fourth quarter, then lose that bet after sunset. WeatherBug’s Foxborough card for September 20 lists a 70 percent chance of showers and a 62/54 split.

Patriots-Steelers Forecast Leaves Kickoff Dry and the Second Half in Doubt

Mike Vrabel in practice
Mike Vrabel (Photo via Imagn Images)

Those numbers sit under AccuWeather’s wetter afternoon read. It shows a 90 percent chance of precipitation Sunday afternoon and a high near 62.

Boston Weather Consulting did not soften it.

“Looks like Sunday is pretty close to a complete washout,” the account posted. “Eastern areas may get lucky and not see steadier rain until the afternoon, but overall a pretty crappy day.”

Gillette has no roof. It sits on the same outdoor stadium list as Acrisure. New England already sold a playoff snow game this calendar year, but this is not that. It is September rain on turf, slick balls and special teams. If the front holds, Patriots-Steelers becomes a handling contest more than a skill contest.

Patriots-Steelers Puts Drake Maye Against Watt in the Wet

Drake Maye.
Drake Maye. Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Mike Vrabel already pointed at Pittsburgh’s edges before anyone mentioned rain.

“They’re going to be big inside, they’re going to be long and active on the edges,” he said. “Defensively, if you better don’t take care of the edges, it’s going to be an issue. Strip sacks, interceptions. Heyward and Watt have probably 64 PBUs in the last five years, and that’s pass rush PBUs. Their ability to create ball disruption even if they don’t get there.”

Drake Maye just threw three picks in a 13-10 Week 1 loss to Seattle. The home opener could present more challenges for the passing game. A wet football does not help a quarterback who lost patience last week.

The AccuWeather Foxboro afternoon forecast can still slide. Thursday models love drama. Sunday tailgates do not. Pack a jacket. Expect the ball to get heavy. Patriots-Steelers may be decided by whoever keeps it dry enough to throw.

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