Steelers fall to Patriots, 27-16

In a game the Steelers went into compromised due to injuries–specifically the meniscus tear suffered by quarterback Roethlisberger last Sunday that forced him out of action at least for this week–it was missed opportunities that did them in in a 27-16 loss to the Patriots at Heinz Field on Sunday.

Starting for just the third time in his NFL career, quarterback Landry Jones could only guide the offense to a quick three-and-out on the game’s first series.

However, on the very first play of New England’s initial possession, receiver Chris Hogan fumbled following a short reception, after being hit by linebacker Jarvis Jones, who immediately recovered the football. It was unclear whether or not Hogan’s knee was down before the football came loose. And upon further review the referee upheld the call on the field, and Pittsburgh had possession at the Patriots 45.

Jones immediately responded by hitting receiver Antonio Brown for a 25-yard strike over the middle down to the New England 20. Unfortunately, three plays later, Jones tried for Brown once more in the back corner of the end zone, but his pass was intercepted by cornerback Malcolm Butler, and Pittsburgh came away with nothing.

The Patriots took advantage by going on a 13-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to running back James White to make it 7-0.

Following another three-play drive by the Steelers that netted one yard, New England responded with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount and a 14-0 advantage for the visitors.

But just when it looked like the game would turn into a rout, Jones seemed to come to life on a 51-yard strike to Brown that set Pittsburgh up at the Patriots 20. Three plays later, on third and four, Jones connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 14-yard touchdown in-which the receiver got both feel down as he was being driven out of bounds and, just like that, it was 14-7.

Following a three-and-out by the Patriots, Pittsburgh appeared to have all the momentum and briefly a tie, when Jones connected with Heyward-Bey–again for 14 yards–but the score was overturned due to a holding call on right tackle Chris Hubbard. To rub even more salt in the wound, Chris Boswell missed from 42-yards away, and for the second time in the first half, the Steelers came away with no points after marching inside the 20.

AROUND COVER32

QB Rankings Brees, Stafford on the rise

Five Questions: Are the Vikings really the best team in the NFL?

NFL Mailbag: What’s going on with the NFL?

Bell vital weapon: Steelers can lean heavily on Bell this week

Steelers QB situation typical: Steelers quarterback situation typical in the NFL

Preview of Steelers and Patriots: Previewing the Steelers and Patriots Week 7 match-up

With less than two minutes left in the second quarter, Jones led the offense on a 10-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a 32-yard field goal by Boswell to make it 14-10 at the half.

Pittsburgh cut the lead to one early in the third quarter, when Boswell connected from 46 yards away to make it 14-13.

But the sleep-walking Patriots woke up on the next possession and marched 75 yards on a five-play drive that was highlighted by 36 rushing yards by Blount and was finished off by a 36-yard touchdown pass from Brady to tight end Rob Gronkowski that made it 20-13 (Stephen Gostkowski’s extra point was no good).

The Steelers sliced into the lead once more on their next possession, thanks to Boswell’s third field goal of the day–this time from 44 yards away–to make it 20-16 early in the final period.

But the Patriots essentially put the game in a stranglehold on their next possession, thanks to a 75-yard drive that ended when Blount crashed home from five yards away to make it 27-16 with 11:44 remaining.

The Steelers could do nothing on their final three offensive possessions, and New England walked away with an 11-point win to improve to 6-1, while the home team fell to 4-3 after a second-straight loss.

For the day, Jones completed 29 of 47 passes for 281 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

As for Brady, while he was his usual efficient self (19 of 26 for 222 yards and two touchdowns), it was the Patriots ground game that starred, as Pittsburgh’s run defense was gashed for a second-straight game. New England finished with 140 rushing yards–including 127 and two scores by Blount.

At the end of the day, it was those missed opportunities that did Pittsburgh in. Coming away with zero points on two trips inside the 20? Not good. Depending on how you look at it, the Steelers either left six points or 10 points on the field, points that could have changed the complexion of the game.

Instead, Pittsburgh was forced to play catch-up for most of the evening, and being out-manned at three key positions (in-addition to the absence of Roethlisberger, defensive end Cam Heyward and right tackle Marcus Gilbert were also out of action), that was not a sound strategy–especially against a Bill Belichick coached team.

The Steelers have a bye next week, before heading to Baltimore for an AFC North clash with the Ravens on November 6.

The post Steelers fall to Patriots, 27-16 appeared first on Cover32.