In a game that had the opportunity to be a blowout, Landry Jones was able to step in and keep it close. The offense moved the ball well without Ben Roethlisberger, but failed to convert on big opportunities. Defensively, the Steelers were able to hold Tom Brady to 222 yards, the first time a defense has kept him under 300 yards all year. However, for the second week in a row the running game is what killed the Steelers in a 27-16 loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers Week Seven Takeaways
Cam Heyward was out again for the Steelers. This allowed the Patriots, much like the Dolphins last week, to run right at Pittsburgh without much resistance. LeGarrette Blount got the workload for the Patriots offense, and made the most of it. Blount carried the ball 24 times for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
This focus on the run allowed the Patriots to find big plays via the pass later in the game. Brady found Rob Gronkowski in the third quarter for a 36-yard touchdown pass. On the next Patriots drive, Gronk again found a hole in the Steelers defense and picked up 37 yards, leading to Blount’s second touchdown on the next play. Although they weren’t scorched for an absurd amount of yards or points, the Steelers defense still allowed New England to execute and produce enough points to win.
The story of the game offensively was missed opportunities. Early on, the Steelers had a chance to take a hold of the momentum. On New England’s first play from scrimmage, Jarvis Jones recovered a fumble and gave Pittsburgh the ball back after a three and out. Landry Jones then found Antonio Brown for 25 yards, to get the Steelers into the red zone. On third and six, Jones decided to take a shot at the end zone. The shot was another pass to Brown, but Jones vastly under threw his star receiver and the pass was intercepted by Patriots corner Malcolm Butler in the end zone. This mistake cost the Steelers at least three points.
After a Darrius Heyward-Bey touchdown, the Steelers defense forced the Patriots to go three and out. With the ball back, Jones led Pittsburgh back into the red zone and appeared to find Heyward-Bey for his second touchdown of the half. However, a holding call on Chris Hubbard (his second of the game) negated the touchdown and moved Pittsburgh back ten yards. After a failed third down, Chris Boswell missed a 42 yard field goal. Yet again, a costly mistake prevented the Steelers form coming away with points.
Down by seven late in the third quarter the Steelers had three costly penalties, and the drive resulted in yet another field goal.
A quick touchdown from New England and the offense went three and out. On the punt however, Julian Edelman fumbled, and the ball was recovered by long snapper Greg Warren near midfield. With the time perfect to capitalize on the turnover, the offense again stalled. On fourth and three from the 35, down by 11, coach Mike Tomlin chose to kick another field goal. Boswell missed the 54 yard attempt, and again the Steelers squandered an opportunity to turn the tide of the game.
On a positive note, Jones did seem to find himself a favorite target. Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, who last week caught his first touchdown pass after being signed off the practice squad, emerged on Sunday for the Pittsburgh offense. Hamilton made three catches on the previously mentioned drive at the end of the third quarter, two of which came on third down. Hamilton could very well turn out to be yet another weapon to add to the already dangerous Steelers offense. At the very least, he is another piece to help hold down the ship while the team heals from its many injuries.
The Steelers are approaching a much needed bye week. They will need to use it in order to get healthy and game plan for a showdown with the division rival Ravens.
