The Steelers’ defense forced five turnovers, two of them in the end zone, helping them overcome a stagnant offense and beat New England, 21-14, in Foxboro yesterday.
Aaron Rodgers threw for only 139 yards, but he clicked with DK Metcalf for a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and with Calvin Austin III on a 17-yard game-winning score in the fourth. The Steelers jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first fifteen minutes, but then struggled until the final drive, when they scored after their fourth fumble recovery of the day.
In addition to creating five turnovers, the Steelers’ defense had five sacks, including the first two of the season by TJ Watt and the first of the season by Cam Heyward. Heyward also deflected a pass in the first half that was intercepted by Brandin Echols, stopping a 17-play New England drive.
Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t mind that it was an ugly win.
Tomlin says getting two red-zone turnovers was big for the Steelers.
The coach says the Steelers’ offense struggled, but came through in the end.
Rodgers says the game-winning drive was keyed by a screen pass to running back Kenneth Gainwell.
Rodgers passed former teammate Brett Favre for fourth place on the NFL’s all-time touchdown passes list, connecting for number 509 to Metcalfe. With 510 touchdown passes, he trails Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571) and Payton Manning (539).
Heyward says the Steelers knew the Patriots were turnover-prone, so they were hunting for loose balls.
The Steelers will travel to Dublin, Ireland to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Kickoff will be at 9:30 AM Eastern. They will follow that up with their bye week in the first week of October, followed by their first AFC North game, at home against Cleveland on October 12th.
In the AFC North for Week Three, the Browns upset the Packers, 13-10 yesterday. The Vikings blasted the Bengals, 48-10. The Ravens host Detroit tonight.
NFL
Former Steeler James Connor is done for the season after suffering a “very serious” ankle injury yesterday in the Cardinals’ loss to the 49ers. Connor is headed to surgery.
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