The Steelers’ offense was overwhelmed by the New England Patriots yesterday in a 20-3 loss in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Aaron Rodgers and the offense could gain only 235 total yards and they turned the ball over twice, including a fumble on a sack that was returned for a touchdown by the Patriots’ Elijah Ponder. The other turnover was an interception in the end zone that should have been a touchdown, but Germie Bernard bobbled the ball into the air and it was swiped by linebacker Gabe Jacas.
Rodgers was 23-39 passing for 187 yards and was sacked four times, fumbling twice. The run game could muster only 91 yards, and the Steelers were only 2-of-12 on third down conversion attempts. They punted the ball eight times.
The defense wasn’t exactly stellar despite giving up only thirteen points. They surrendered huge chunks of yardage on key plays, including a 39-yard touchdown run through the middle of the defense by TreyVeyon Henderson and a 63-yard Drake Maye pass from the Pats’ 9-yard line to a wide-open Romeo Doubs.
Chris Boswell kicked a 56-yard field goal on the final play of the first half for the Steelers’ only points but he also missed a 57-yarder, and even when the defense made a big play, they messed up. Jalen Ramsey was given a 15-yard taunting penalty after Nick Herbig forced a fumble that the Steelers recovered in the first quarter.
Coach Mike McCarthy says he’s frustrated and his team should be too.
McCarthy says he noticed that something wasn’t right with the Steelers in midweek, and he should have done something about it.
Aaron Rodgers was well aware of how off the Steelers were.
Linebacker TJ Watt says the defense gave up too many big plays.
The injury report for the Steelers included running back Rico Dowdle, who suffered a toe injury but returned to the game. Guard Mason McCormick was briefly injured at the end of the third quarter, but stayed in the game.
Tackle Troy Fautanu played the whole game despite a gimpy ankle. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. sat out again for a second straight game.
The Steelers play their next two games against AFC North foes, starting with the Bengals on Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, then the Browns in Cleveland next Thursday night.
The Bengals are 2-0 after beating the Texans, 20-6 yesterday. The Browns are 1-1 after shocking the Tampa Bay Bucs, 23-19 in Tampa. The other AFC North team, the Ravens, are 1-1 after being stunned by the Saints, 24-17.
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