5 Takeaways From the Patriots 28-21 Win Over Pittsburgh
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
5 Takeaways From the Patriots 28-21 Win Over Pittsburgh
"It was a pretty special night, I was excited, our whole team was excited, we haven't had one of these games in a long time so it was fun night," said Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the game.
Closing Out the Game
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Patriots led 21-3 early in the third quarter before the Steelers scored 11 straight points, cutting their deficit to just one score after a Josh Scobee field goal found its way through the uprights.
However, only giving up a field goal on that drive gave the Patriots momentum as the Steelers were on the goal line and could not push it across and then took penalty that pushed them back.
The Patriots offense came out on their next drive and drove the ball down the field, helped by a 30 yard catch and run by Dion Lewis. Lewis fumbled near the endzone but it was recovered by Rob Gronkowski on the six inch line. The touchdown was Gronkowski's third of the game.
Tom Brady found Rob Gronkowski in the endzone to put the Patriots up 28-14. The Steelers would get a touchdown with just seconds left in the game to make the final score 28-21.
Getting it Going
After the first quarter ended scoreless, the Patriots scored 14 points in the second quarter to go up 14-3 at the half.
Gronkowski scored a touchdown off a pas from Tom Brady with just over 11 minutes to play in the half to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead.
After Steelers kicker Josh Scobee missed his second second field goal, Tom Brady and Gronkowski connected again in the second quarter to put the Patriots up 14-0 with four minutes left in the half.
In the third quarter with 10:30, Tom Brady found tight end Scott Chandler in the endzone to put New England up 21-3. On the play, Chandler lined up as a full back and then shifted to tight end on the same side as Gronkowski.
The touchdown was Chandlers first as a Patriot.
The Patriots never trailed in the game.
On to Buffalo
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, September 20 when they visit the AFC East rival Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills. Kick off is set for 1 p.m.
For More on This Game, See the 5 Takeaways Slideshow Below
5 Takeaways From the Patriots 28-21 Win Over Pittsburgh
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers, in fact he was so dominant that the Steelers didn't even want to cover him.
Gronkowski had five catches for 94 yards and three touchdowns.
Gronkowski loves playing against Pittsburgh, in four career games against the Steelers, Gronkowski has 26 catches for 403 yards and seven touchdowns.
Run Defense
First round pick Malcolm Brown had a quiet game and the Patriots defense really struggled stopping the run.
Pittsburgh running back DeAngelo Williams carried the ball 21 times for 127 yards, averaging six yards per Carry.
The Steelers as a team ran for 133 yards.
The Patriots run defense after the first game of the season is a bit of a concern.
Malcolm Butler
The big matchup of the game was Pittsburgh's top receiver Antonio Brown against the Patriots new top corner Malcolm Butler.
Antonio Brown had nine receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown in the game.
However, the touchdown came in garbage time and on the majority of his receptions were well covered by Butler.
Malcolm Butler had a good showing for the Patriots tonight, despite the stats from Antonio Brown, one of the best receivers in the league.
Offensive Line
Prior to the game we learned that Ryan Wendell was on the inactive list meaning the Patriots were going to start three rookies on the offensive line, including Dave Andrews who started at center.
"We worked pretty hard getting him (Andrews) up to speed and I think he did a phenomenal job, I think all three of those guys did a great job, it's tough getting them up to speed," said Tom Brady after the game.
The Patriots used alot of quick plays, quick passes, to help the offensive line out in the game but the line did really well. They were a huge concern coming into the game.
Tom Brady
After an offseason of court rooms and trips to New York and a preseason which was less than stellar, except for one drive, Tom Brady came out on fire against the Steelers.
Brady went 25 of 32 for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 148.
At one point, Brady completed 19 passes in a row.
It's amazing how things change when Gronkowski and Edelman are on the field with him, which they were not in the preseason.
