The Steelers looked fantastic on their first offensive drive against New England and used running back Jaylen Samuels very effectively. Samuels looked great in the receiving game as well as the ground game. Ben Roethlisberger showed tremendous patience on third down and found Vance McDonald wide open for a Steelers touchdown after an 11 play drive. Steelers get off to an early lead 7 - 0.
Tom Brady made the Steelers defense pay after leaving wide receiver Chris Hogan wide open for a 63-yard touchdown to even the score at 7 - 7.
Roethlisberger looked to bounce back and he looked fantastic hitting nearly every receiver in his arsenal including JuJu Smith-Schuster, Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers, and James Washington. Roethlisberger connected with Brown on a beautifully thrown pass from 17 yards out. Steelers take a 14 - 7 lead over the Patriots.
After some very solid defense from Pittsburgh, the Steelers got the ball back and marched down field with ease. Unfortunately after several big plays by the offense, Roethlisberger gave the ball right back to New England. Duron Harmon came up with the interception on a pass intended for JuJu.
The Steelers kicking woes continue as Chris Boswell missed a 32-yard field goal which would have given Pittsburgh a two-score lead. Boswell was lights out last season and hardly missed, but it's growing very clear the Steelers may be in need of a kicking change.
After the Boswell miss, the Patriots made their way down field in no time and capitalized on a field goal of their own. Steelers lead 14 - 10.
The Steelers gave it right back to Brady as Ben forced a ball to Brown and Harmon came up with yet another interception.
Perhaps the most uncharacteristic thing that could have happened to the Patriots happened. Brady threw a terrible pass under pressure and Joe Haden came up with it to give the ball back to Pittsburgh.
Big Ben made sure to get Jaylen Samuels rolling on this drive and it paid off incredibly for the Steelers offense. On 3rd and 9, Roethlisberger scrambled and managed to come up with a huge connection with Samuels. Unfortunately for the Steelers, they did not score a touchdown however they called upon Boswell for a 48-yard field goal and he converted. Boswell puts the Steelers up 17 - 10.
The Steelers defense was the tale of this game as they held the Patriots offense late in this game and forced a turnover on downs. Pittsburgh closed this game out and what a statement they made by holding the Patriots to 10 points. Steelers win 17 -10.
Steelers Stats Leaders
Ben Roethlisberger 235 Yards 2 Touchdowns
Jaylen Samuels 19 Carries 142 Yards
James Washington 3 Catches 65 Yards
Joe Haden 12 Tackles 1 Interception
