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10 takeaways from Patriots’ frustrating 21-14 loss to Steelers
The Patriots were knocked for five total turnovers in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Drake Maye and the Patriots, as New England turned the ball over five times en route to a 21-14 loss to the Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
Here are 10 takeaways from Sunday’s game:
Turnovers punctuate an ugly afternoon for Patriots offense
New England had a prime opportunity to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since 2022 on Sunday against the Steelers.
Maye and the Patriots’ offense out-gained Pittsburgh in yardage, 368-202. New England had 26 first downs to Pittsburgh’s 17, and were 4-for-5 on fourth-down plays.
And yet, New England still left the field at Gillette Stadium with a loss, with five turnovers marring the Patriots’ offensive output in a 21-14 loss.
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It marked the first time that the Patriots have had five turnovers in a game since Nov. 30, 2008, which also came against the Steelers.
New England left multiple points on the board as a result of their lapses in ball security, with two of those turnovers coming on or within the Steelers’ two-yard line.
Maye (28-of-37, two touchdowns) was knocked for a fumble and an end-zone interception, while Rhamondre Stevenson (twice) and Antonio Gibson were also knocked for fumbles.
Sunday’s turnovers squandered a strong game from Hunter Henry (eight catches, 90 yards, two touchdowns) and a Patriots defense that kept Aaron Rodgers (139 passing yards) in check for most of the day.
A brutal start
New England set the tone in an eventual win over the Dolphins last week by scoring touchdowns on each of their first two drives — building a 14-0 lead out of the gate.
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It was clear that Mike Vrabel and the Patriots were looking to carry that momentum into Week 3, considering that New England opted to receive the ball on Sunday after winning the coin toss against Pittsburgh.
But New England’s fortunes were flipped against the Steelers, with Pittsburgh building a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
It was about as poor of a start as the Patriots could have had — with back-to-back, turnover-worthy plays ending with a Stevenson fumble that scuttled New England’s opening drive.
Pittsburgh immediately responded with an eight-play, 48-yard touchdown drive — with New England’s defense allowing 4.7 yards per carry on the Steelers’ first seven rushing attempts.
By the time New England’s second drive stalled out, Maye had the same number of completions as the Steelers had sacks (two), while Pittsburgh once again capitalized on a litany of New England penalties to find the end zone again — making it a 14-0 game after Aaron Rodgers hit DK Metcalf for a 12-yard touchdown.
After two drives a piece, the Steelers had 12 first downs and 118 yards of offense, while New England had just two first downs and 20 total yards.
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Maye and the Patriots finally woke up on their next drive, with New England’s QB capping off a nine-play, 61-yard drive with a TD throw to Hunter Henry to get on the board. Still, it was a sizable hole to claw out of after over a quarter of uninspiring play.
A frustrating second-quarter drive
Even with that brutal start, New England’s offense seemed to settle into a groove as the second quarter progressed.
After New England finally got on the board after Maye hit Henry in the end-zone on a play-action move, Maye once again marched New England’s offense down the field before halftime.
But a 17-play, 92-yard drive that took 7:13 off the clock ended in disaster for New England, with Maye getting knocked for an end-zone interception on a potential game-tying throw to Kayshon Boutte.
It was an ugly sequence all around to close out the drive, as New England was gifted with a 1st-and-5 situation on Pittsburgh’s five-yard line. But Josh McDaniels made the questionable call to throw all three times — ending with Maye’s flat throw to Boutte getting snagged by Brandin Echols.
New England could have entered the second half starting at a whole-new ballgame. But Maye’s throw — one of several shaky pass attempts — led to zero points on the board for the Patriots, along with some boos at Gillette as the players made their way back to the locker room.
A brutal step back for Stevenson
New England’s Week 2 win was punctuated by one of Rhamondre Stevenson’s best games in recent memory, with the veteran back closing out that victory at Hard Rock Stadium with 142 total yards.
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But all of that positive sentiment dissipated in short order Sunday, as Stevenson was knocked for two momentum-shifting fumbles as his snaps dried up down the stretch.
Ball security has been an ongoing issue for Stevenson, who fumbled seven times in 2024.
Those woes reared their collective head once again on Sunday, as he lost the ball on New England’s opening drive — with Pittsburgh capitalizing on an eight-play, 48-yard drive that was capped off by a touchdown.
Stevenson appeared to right the ship as the first half continued — converting on a critical 4th-and-1 play from New England’s own 15-yard while later picking up 23 yards off a rub route.
But Stevenson once again picked a brutal time to lose control of the football, fumbling as he pushed into the end zone on what would have been a game-tying score in the third quarter.
Pittsburgh linebacker Payton Wilson scooped up the ball, securing a touchback for the Steelers.
It marked the second time in as many drives that New England had the ball on Pittsburgh’s two-yard line — and had zero points to show for either opportunity.
Jabrill Peppers’ revenge game
Regardless of New England’s shifting defensive scheme, the decision to release Jabrill Peppers — as an established veteran and hard-hitting safety — stood as a head-scratcher for a Patriots roster still short on talent in the secondary.
Peppers — who eventually signed with Pittsburgh last week — made his former team pay on Sunday.
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After those back-to-back turnovers from Maye and Stevenson, New England turned to Antonio Gibson in search of steadying presence in the run game. It didn’t work, as Gibson was walloped by Peppers — who lost the football.
Peppers ultimately recovered the fumble himself in what marked the fourth turnover of the afternoon (at that point) for New England.
Why can’t the Patriots get guys like that?
Robert Spillane steps up
It was looking like another long afternoon for New England’s defense after relinquishing 14 points on Pittsburgh’s first two drives of the game.
But as New England’s offense struggled to capitalize in a turnover-heavy stretch, it was the Patriots’ defense who kept the team afloat and allowed them to stay in the contest.
In particular, veteran linebacker Robert Spillane took a major step forward when his team needed it.
Spillane had underwhelmed through the first two weeks of the season — especially in a Week 2 showing against Miami where he whiffled on five tackles.
But he bounced back against Pittsburgh, recording 15 tackles while also picking off Rodgers in the third quarter.
In total, New England only allowed one yard of offense to Pittsburgh in the third quarter — and forced a punt or turnover on five of the Steelers’ final six drives of the afternoon.
A fourth-quarter letdown
For all of New England’s miscues, Maye and the Patriots still had a prime opportunity to come out of this game with a win.
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Staring at a 4th-and-2 situation at the start of the fourth quarter, Maye hit Henry up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown — tying the game up at 14-14.
After New England’s defense forced yet another punt, Maye and the Patriots were seemingly in control of the contest — with the Patriots gaining 44 yards off of eight plays and moving the ball into Pittsburgh territory.
But after converting on yet another fourth-down opportunity, Maye committed his second turnover of the day — and New England’s fifth overall — after getting strip-sacked by Nick Herbig while trying to scramble out of danger.
That latest lapse by New England was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Pittsburgh’s lackluster offense finally woke up by way of a nine-play, 67-yard drive that was capped by a touchdown throw from Rodgers to Calvin Austin III.
Rodgers’ 17-yard TD throw gave Pittsburgh a 21-14 lead with just 2:16 left on the clock — securing a lead that they would not relinquish.
Offensive line regresses
New England’s stout play in pass protection has been one of the top surprises for the Patriots’ through the first two weeks of regular-season play — especially when it comes to the performances of rookie linemen in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson.
But some of that regression finally manifested itself on Sunday.
Pittsburgh entered Sunday with just three sacks in two games, but managed to sack Maye twice on the QB’s first five dropbacks of the afternoon.
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In total, Maye was sacked five times and knocked for eight QB hits. One scary sequence popped up near the end of the second quarter, with the back of Maye’s head hitting the turf hard after getting knocked down by T.J. Watt.
Despite those optics, Maye remained in the game without any restrictions.
New England’s offense — turnovers aside — still managed to move the ball with some authority as the game progressed. But as evidenced by the various bumps and bruises sustained by Maye, it should be expected that New England’s young offensive line is going to trudge through its fair share of growing pains this year.
Penalties continue to hinder Vrabel’s club
After coughing up 75 yards off 12 penalties in Week 2 against Miami, New England once again made life easier for the opposition on Sunday.
New England was knocked for seven penalties against Pittsburgh, with a slew of them coming in the first quarter.
It was a rough showing from cornerback Alex Austin in particular. A defensive pass interference call against Austin on a 3rd-and-2 from New England’s second-yard line gave Pittsburgh new life en route to a touchdown, while a strip-sack from Milton Williams on the very next defensive drive was also negated off of holding call against Austin.
Austin’s holding call kept Pittsburgh on the field, leading to yet another Steelers touchdown. Christian Gonzalez’s return to the gridiron can’t come soon enough.
Edelman honored at halftime
A day after he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame alongside Bill Parcells, Julian Edelman was honored during a halftime ceremony at Gillette Stadium.
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Edelman, who helped win three Super Bowls in New England, addressed the crowd as part of the festivities.
“Getting drafted here to New England — I didn’t really know what to expect. Being from a blue-collar, working-class family from Northern California, I soon realized this was the perfect fit for me to be in this region,” Edelman said. “We had some really long days during the week, but you guys made the Sundays worth it. Some of the most memorable memories I’ll ever have in my life with my family have come right here in Foxborough on this field.
“So Patriot Nation, I just want to say thank you for bringing in me, my family, and making this our home. Foxborough will always be my home, 12 years, nowhere else. And we all got to remember one thing — tough times don’t last. Tough people do. And you always got to believe. Foxborough Forever.”
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LIVE UPDATES
3:53: Patriots can’t convert on 4th and 1. Pittsburgh is going to win this one, 21-14.
What a frustrating showing from New England in a very winnable game. Five turnovers says it all.
More to come on Boston.com.
3:41: Rodgers hits Calvin Austin for a touchdown. It’s 21-14 Steelers with 2:16 left in the game. That Maye fumble might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
3:30: Stop if you’ve heard this before. The Patriots have turned the ball over. Maye is strip-sacked, and the Patriots now have five turnovers.
3:21: That DPI call doesn’t haunt New England, as the Patriots force another punt.
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3:18: That’s a pretty tough pass interference call against Carlton Davis. It was looking like another 3 and out for the Steelers.
3:13: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. New England finally finds the end zone again, as New England converts on a 4th and 2 with a Maye TD throw to Henry.
It’s 14-14 with 14:56 left in play.
3:11: New England’s defense gave up just one yard of offense in the third quarter.
3:10: Don’t look now, but New England is back in the red zone. But they’re staring at a 4th-and-2 from the 16.
2:58: A return to form for New England’s defense is the only reason why this hasn’t been a blowout. Another 3-and-out for Pittsburgh. They’re keeping a turnover-prone offense in this one.
2:54: Jabrill Peppers returns with a bang. He forces a fumble off a strong hit against Gibson and then recovers it.
Three fumbles and four turnovers in total for New England.
2:49: New England’s defense once again bails out that turnover, as they force a punt. Patriots take over at their 46.
2:43: A big ‘ol YIKES. Stevenson fumbles in the end zone, and it’s recovered by Pittsburgh for a touchback.
New England has the ball twice on the 2-yard line — and has zero points to show for it.
2:38: Robert Spillane with quite the bounce-back game. He picks off Aaron Rodgers and New England takes over at Pittsburgh’s 11-yard line.
Spillane has nine tackles already.
2:35: Maye is out on the field for the start of the third quarter. He took a nasty shot after getting pressured by Watt on that red-zone sequence.
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2:21: That’s brutal. A potential tying touchdown for Maye is picked off in the end zone by Brandin Echols. It’s going to be 14-7 Steelers going into the half.
That’s a gut-punch after it looked like New England’s offense was waking up. Three straight throws there was also an interesting choice for New England.
2:07: 23-yard pickup from Stevenson. He’s had a nice bounce-back since that initial fumble.
2:04: Maye almost throws a brutal interception to Chuck Clark, but it’s ruled incomplete.
2:03: A gut-check play for New England, who opt to run a play on 4th and 1 from their own 15. Stevenson converts on a 10-yard run.
1:58: Nice response for the Patriots defense, who force a 3-and-out.
1:52: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. New England has some life after Maye hits Hunter Henry on a play-action fake for a touchdown.
Borregales’ XP is good. It’s a 14-7 game.
Nine plays, 77-yard drive for New England.
1:42: 14-0 Steelers. Rodgers hits DK Metcalf for a 12-yard touchdown. A brutal start for New England on both sides of the ball.
1:40: This about sums it up.
1:30: Brutal start for Alex Austin. A holding calla against him negates a strip-sack from Milton Williams that could have ended Pittsburgh’s drive.
1:24: New England gains a first down, but the drive stalls out after Maye is sacked on a 3rd and 5. Patriots are punting.
1:13: Touchdown Steelers. Kenneth Gainwell runs it in from 1 yard out.
New England did have a 3rd & 2 at the 2-yard line, but Alex Austin was whistled for pass interference.
Not a good start for New England.
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7-0 Pittsburgh.
1:06: Rhamondre Stevenson fumbles and the Steelers recover. First of the season for Stevenson — comes at a brutal time after his great showing in Week 2. Pittsburgh on their own 46 to start.
1:05: Patriots catch a break after a potential 3-and-out is extended by illegal contract from Pittsburgh.
1:03: Old friend Jabrill Peppers gets a starting nod on Pittsburgh’s defense.
1:00: Patriots win the coin toss. They opt to receive. Offense is up first.
12:50: Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman rings the bell atop the Gillette Stadium lighthouse.
12:23: No changes to New England’s offensive line:
12:17: A few celebrities are here in Foxborough for today’s game.
12:11: A closer look at the Patriots throwbacks.
12:10: Warmups are underway.
11:55: Fresh off his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Julian Edelman is on the field at Gillette.
11:41: Drake Maye is warming up. New England going with the throwbacks today in Foxborough.
11:39: Inactives for both the Patriots and Steelers just dropped.
Christian Gonzalez, Caedan Wallace, Efton Chism, Elijah Ponder, Eric Gregory, Tommy DeVito (3rd QB) are New England’s inactives. Patriots fans will have to wait a bit longer for Efton Chism’s NFL debut.
Keion White — who was questionable entering the game due to illness — will play.
11:00: Greetings from Gillette Stadium!
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