Patriots Game 12: Patriots 10 – Steelers 33
Sorry, this weeks review really should be titled the Ugly, the Uglier, and the Ugliest! This game was the tale of two halves! The Patriots looked like they had control of the game, right up until three minutes before the half. After that, it was all Steelers, as the Patriots just kept turning the ball over...and over...and over!!!
The Good:
Considering the Patriots were playing the #1 Defense, the running attack was not too bad. RB Kevin Faulk led the team in rushing (73 yards, 6 carries) and receiving (48 yards, 7 catches). RB Sammy Morris was strong on the goal line (2-yard TD run) and finished with 45 yards on 10 carries (4.5 avg.).
On a 9-yard reception in the third quarter, Kevin Faulk moved past Irving Fryar into sole possession of fourth place on the Patriots’ all-time receptions list.
Linebacker Mike Vrabel showed solid hands with a first-quarter interception that setup the Patriots' only touchdown of the game.
The Bad:
WR Sam Aiken, whose primary role is on special teams, was flagged for two penalties in the kicking game, which hurt the team's field position.
QB Matt Cassel looked to be back to his old form, finishing 19 of 39 for 169 yards, with two interceptions and FIVE sacks
CB Deltha O'Neal cannot win the man-to-man match-up on two Steelers touchdowns, a 19-yard pas to Santonio Holmes and an 11-yard pass to Hines Ward.
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a 27-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter.
The Ugly:
Amid dropped passes and turnovers, the Patriots could never get in a rhythm on offense. They finished 1-for-13 on third-down tries.
Leading receiver Wes Welker left late in the third quarter after being leveled by safety Ryan Clark. There was no update on his condition.
In the third quarter, Matthew Slater fumbled away a kickoff, setting up Roethlisberger's 11-yard scoring pass to Ward. Slater filled in for Ellis Hobbs, who sat out that play after suffering cramps.
QB Matt Cassel fumbled on a strip-sack by Steelers linebacker James Harrison and linebacker LaMarr Woodley recovered at the New England 26.
Steelers linebacker James Harrison registered his second strip-sack of the game by forcing Matt Cassel to fumble with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter and James Farrior recovered for Pittsburgh.
QB Matt Cassel was intercepted by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu with 9:13 remaining on a pass intended for Benjamin Watson.
Lawrence Timmons intercepted a Matt Cassel offering with 3:27 to play and returned it 89 yards to the Patriots 1.
Final Thoughts:
Pittsburgh had not won in New England since a 24-21 overtime victory in 1997.
"You can't beat Pop Warner teams doing that." – New England Patriots left guard Logan Mankins
We had a lot of opportunities out there today. We weren’t able to take care of some of the ones we had. Pittsburgh took advantage of those. That was really the difference in the game, the turnovers.” – New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick
“Rain is rain. Snow is snow. Sun is sun. It is all about who takes care of the football better out there and who is able to force turnovers better out there. They did a better job of that than we did.” – New England Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi
“I always say as a wide receiver your job is to get open, catch the ball and score touchdowns. … I put a lot of blame on myself because I think this team really looks to me to do my job week in and week out. – New England Patriots WR Randy Moss
NOTE: The Patriots (7-5) remain a game behind the New York Jets in the AFC East. They are tied with Miami in the division and trail Indianapolis and Baltimore by one game in the wild-card race.
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