Steelers' Mike Tomlin Fires Off Strong Words About Patriots QB Drake Maye

The Pittsburgh Steelers bounced back with a 21-14 road win against the New England Patriots in Week 3. The game started off nicely for the Steelers, with the defense setting the tone early, while the offense also showed signs of rhythm. However, momentum quickly stalled as the offense struggled to sustain drives. 

The defense, while bending at times, came up with the big plays when it mattered most, forcing five turnovers against the Patriots' offense. Even though the Steelers’ offense failed to fully capitalize on those opportunities, the defense’s efforts were enough to grind out an ugly but valuable win. In the NFL, Mike Tomlin will gladly take a road victory in any form.

After the game, Tomlin spoke to the media and didn’t hold back when discussing the defensive approach against Drake Maye. He revealed that the Steelers had circled the young quarterback's fumbling issues on the scouting report and made it a priority to attack his ball security. 

"It was, but it is every week," Tomlin said while speaking to the media after the game about Maye’s fumble issues. "We identify opportunities, and certainly, he had fumble issues last year. It was an agenda of ours."

The strategy worked, as Maye and his team coughed up the football multiple times under heavy pressure from the Steelers’ front seven. Tomlin credited his pass rushers for staying disciplined and sticking to the game plan, emphasizing how important it was to force Maye into uncomfortable situations. 

Maye fumbled the football one time, while running back Rhamondre Stevenson coughed it up two times. Antonio Gibson also fumbled the football once. All four of those footballs were lost by the Patriots and recovered by Pittsburgh. Maye threw an interception while completing 28 of his 37 passes, for 268 passing yards, and two passing touchdowns.

The win may not have been pretty, but it gave Pittsburgh a much-needed jolt after a rocky Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The turnovers carried the Steelers' win, with multiple playmakers contributing to the takeaway spree. While the offense still has questions to answer, the fact that Tomlin’s game plan specifically targeted and exposed a young quarterback shows the coaching staff’s ability to adapt and exploit weaknesses. 

For Steelers fans, it was a reminder that under Tomlin, the team will always find a way to fight, even if it means winning ugly.

Steelers' Fans Likely Not Impressed With Week 3 Win Over New England

While going on the road and getting a win in the NFL is typically a cause for celebration, that’s not the feeling back in the Steel City. Steelers fans have come to expect greatness, and many believe the five turnovers bailed the defense out rather than proving dominance. At least, that’s the overwhelming sentiment flooding social media in the aftermath of this game.

It’s a fair evaluation from Steeler Nation. The defense looked sharp early, but as the game wore on, cracks began to show. Two red-zone takeaways were massive momentum swings, yet fans know those kinds of turnovers can’t always be counted on. Without them, the outcome might have looked very different.

Steelers fans will gladly take the win that moves the team to 2-1, but they aren’t sugarcoating it. This was an ugly performance, one where luck and opportunistic plays carried the win. In their eyes, Pittsburgh escaped Foxborough rather than dominated, and they know future opponents won’t be so forgiving.

What are your honest thoughts after watching the Steelers' 21-14 victory over the Patriots on Sunday? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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