FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots fell into a quick 14-0 hole to the Steelers but found a way to claw their way back into the game, tying it up 14-14 early in the fourth quarter. But their fifth turnover of the day would be the one that caught up with them, as Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers broke out of their offensive funk and capitalized on a Drake Maye fumble, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes to play.
Pittsburgh held on for the 21-14 win as Maye and the Patriots offense couldn't mount a game-tying drive at the end of the game.
Turnovers were the story of the game for the Patriots, with Maye throwing an interception and losing a fumble, Rhamondre Stevenson fumbling twice and Antonio Gibson fumbling once. Two of the giveaways came in Pittsburgh's end zone, as New England left at least two scores on the table.
After a slow start, the Patriots defense forced four-straight punts and grabbed a takeaway, but couldn't get the last stop late in the fourth quarter. All in all, the Patriots should feel like they let one get away, as penalties once again hurt at some key moments.
Here's how it all went down in the Rapid Recap!
1. Steelers Capitalize on Patriots Giveaway
The Patriots were unable to replicate their hot start in Miami when they raced out to a 12-0 lead. Instead, Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled on the opening possession and the Steelers wasted little time going down the field to establish a 7-0 lead. It took just eight plays for Pittsburgh to go 48 yards into the end zone, and they faced just one third down, which came from the two-yard line. Alex Austin was flagged for pass interference on the play, giving the Steelers a new set of downs. They'd capitalize on the next play.
Pittsburgh had gains of 15, 11 and nine on the drive as there was lots of space for running back Jaylen Warren (32 rushing yards on six carries on the first drive), as well as receiver D.K. Metcalf, who delivered a big play off a wide receiver screen.
2. Pats Penalties Aid Second Steelers Score
New England came into the game tied for second in penalties and those problems continued into the early going against the Steelers. Alex Austin's holding penalty offset a third-down sack from Milton Williams that would've gotten the Patriots off the field with good field position. Then, a Marcus Jones unnecessary roughness penalty cost them another 15 yards. K'Lavon Chaisson would add a holding penalty later in the drive, the third call on New England of the possession.
The big plays continued to haunt New England as well with Aaron Rodgers completing a 21-yarder to Jonnu Smith on 3rd-and-long to keep the Steelers second drive alive. In all, Pittsburgh converted three third downs on the 12-play, 90-yard drive, with 20 of the yards coming via New England penalties. Rodgers hit Metcalf for a touchdown to close it out, giving the Steelers a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
3. Pats Offense Comes Alive
After falling into a 14-0 hole, the Patriots offense started to get going on their third drive of the game, beginning with a 10-yard carry by Antonio Gibson on the first play of the drive. Maye added in a 16-yard scramble, while also connecting with Hunter Henry to convert a 3rd-and-6. The Pats would get some help on their next third down, as Kayshon Boutte drew a pass interference penalty that set the Pats up on the Steelers five-yard line. Maye would hit Henry for the touchdown on the next play, closing the gap to 14-7.
It was a huge drive for New England's offense as they finally got on the scoreboard and got themselves back into the game. The Patriots defense would respond with some complementary football, forcing their first punt of the game.
4. Mistakes Adding Up
It was tough sledding for the Patriots to get off their 6-yard line after a great Steelers punt, but they got overtly aggressive and found a way. After Stevenson picked up 11 yards on a 3rd-and-12, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel went for it on 4th-and-1 from his own 15-yard line. Stevenson picked up the first down with a 10-yard run, then picked up another first down three plays later with a 23-yard catch and run on 3rd-and-10.
After his initial fumble, Stevenson delivered some key plays to keep New England's offense on the field, while Vrabel made a critical coaching call and was rewarded for it.
Maye took the next third down into his own hands, completing a 20-yard dime to Boutte on a dig route to convert a 3rd-and-13. There was great pass protection, giving Maye the time he needed to make the throw as the Patriots continued to build momentum at the two-minute warning.
Maye kept dealing as the second quarter wound down, hitting Diggs for a first down on 3rd-and-5, then finding Henry up the seam for an 18-yard gain, setting the Patriots up for a potential game-tying score to end the half.
But that's where Maye's luck ran out as his third-down throw into the end zone was tipped and picked off. That ended the first half. It was both a thrilling and disappointing drive as New England converted three third downs and a fourth down and travelled 92 yards but still came away empty-handed.
Pittsburgh took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
5. Trading Turnovers
It didn't take long for Maye and the Patriots offense to get another crack at the end zone, with Robert Spillane intercepting Rodgers on the first third down of the second half and running it all the way back to the Steelers 11-yard line. After allowing sustained touchdown drives on the first two possessions, the Patriots defense stepped up, forcing a three-and-out and then an interception to help the Pats get back into the game.
But the Patriots turnover problems reared their ugly head for a third time with Stevenson fumbling for the second time in the game and Pittsburgh recovering in their own end zone for a touchback.
The Patriots defense continued their strong play after the second Stevenson fumble, forcing another three-and-out and giving the ball back to Maye and the offense. But three plays later, it was Antonio Gibson's turn to put the ball on the ground. His fumble gave New England their fourth turnover of the game.
Less than five minutes into the second half, both teams combined for three turnovers.
6. Patriots Tie It
Even after Gibson's fumble, the Patriots defense again forced a three-and-out. Their strong play after the first two drives of the game helped offset the four giveaways and keep the game within a one-score difference.
For the third time in the game, Maye and the offense took over inside their own 15-yard line and for the third time they were able to claw their way toward midfield. Mack Hollins had an 11-yard catch, while TreVeyon Henderson picked up a fourth-down conversion to keep the drive alive as they entered Pittsburgh territory.
The drive would stall, facing a fourth down at the Steelers 21-yard line but Vrabel stayed aggressive, going for it instead of settling for the field goal. The offense would reward their coach, with Maye finding an uncovered Henry up the seam for a game-tying touchdown. It was an epic 15-play, 83-yard drive that included two fourth-down conversions.
After falling into an early 14-0 hole and piling up four turnovers, the Patriots stayed on course and tied the game up early in the fourth quarter.
7. Another Patriots Giveaway
After a third-straight punt by the Steelers offense, the Patriots offense once again put together a strong drive, getting into Steeler territory with a balanced attack that was nearly unstoppable through the air. But that's when the turnover problems once again popped up. Maye scrambled around the pocket with no one open and was strip-sacked. It was the fifth turnover of the day for the Patriots offense, the only thing keeping the Steelers in the game.
Pittsburgh hadn't moved the ball since the first quarter, but they were given too many chances to break out of their funk. Pittsburgh converted a 3rd-and-2 at the Patriots 25-yard line, then faced a critical 3rd-and-6 from the 18. Rodgers hit Calvin Austin for the go-ahead touchdown as Pittsburgh took a 21-14 lead with 2:16 to play. It was a nine-play, 62-yard drive that took up over five minutes of game clock.
It left Drake Maye and the Patriots offense with one final chance to tie the game up.
8. Steelers Close Out a Win
Maye and the offense wasted little time getting over midfield, with the quarterback's 15-yard scramble getting them to the Steelers 37-yard line. But Maye would take a sack that would set them back, and force them into a game-deciding 4th-and-1 from the 28-yard line. Maye completed the pass to Pop Douglas, but Douglas came up short, turning the ball over to the Steelers, who closed out the win.
It was a frustrating loss for the Patriots as there were just too many mistakes to overcome. Five turnovers is too many in any game and the fact that New England hung around as long as they did is a testament to the fight they showed in this game.
New England will be back at home next Sunday at 1 pm to face the Saints.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
