You are lying to yourself if you call yourself a Patriots fan and seriously saw this one coming. Yes, Tom Brady is now 6-1 in his last seven games against the Steelers (playoffs included). But after the previous week's pathetic performance against Eric Mangini's Cleveland Browns, a 39-26 New England blowout win against one of the best AFC teams is hardly what anyone expected.
In fact, I expected the Steelers to win a close, low-scoring game. Had I been made aware beforehand that the Pats under Bill Belichick were 22-2 in games following a loss since 2003, I might have thought differently. In the end, I'm glad I was (and am sure plenty of other New England fans were) wrong.
The score and final stats were hardly indicative of how the Pats dominated most of this game Sunday night, especially up front on both sides of the ball. Guard Stephen Neal was out but with Logan Mankins back for his second game (after sitting out the first seven), Tom Brady had all the protection he needed as he threw for 350 yards (spread out to eight different players), three TDs and emphatically ran one into the end zone himself for one more.
It was the first 300-yard game of the season for Brady but more noticeably, his most emotional game in years. Maybe he didn't like the way Steelers players were hitting him under the pile, or maybe their cheap shots over the years (Lee Flowers) were still sealed in his mind. Or perhaps he just wanted perfection, meaning no dropping easy throws (Wes Welker) or poor blocking on unsuccessful third-and-short situations. Whatever it was, he extra furious at his teammates when things went wrong, and all smiles when success went his team's way.
Rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski made up for his worst week as a pro against Cleveland last week (when he caused two game-changing turnovers), by catching all three of Brady's TD passes. That set a record for Patriots rookies and tight ends in the process.
The only knucklehead in this game also helped seal the victory with a 32-yard interception return for a TD courtesy of a Ben Roethlisberger pass midway through the fourth quarter: James Sanders. Being the heir to hard-hitting safety Rodney Harrison, he made the careless move early in the game of leading with his helmet in a tackle of Steelers veteran receiver Hines Ward, who left the game for good with a (mild) concussion. Ward is one of the most physical receivers in the game, so he kind of got a taste of his own medicine. But it's likely that Sanders will be fined for that hit, even though no penalty was called on the play.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
This is seriously impressive win, Charlie, in contrast to the Jets win over the Browns which is nothing to crow about.
2 - El Bicho
Considering The Browns just beat NE, the Jets do have something to crow about
3 - Victor Lana
You know, I want to agree with you, but I think they lucked out in this game and the one with the Lions too. They've got to stop giving up leads and going into overtime. No matter how dramatic these last two wins have been, they were ugly games.
4 - Chaz
I really don't see the Patriots losing any more games. This unit has finally clicked and as long as injury stays out of the equation, we are all set. The next game will prove it out. There's no way that clown of a q back for Indy is going to get his sneaky quick passes in... Can you just hear the call after the game? "seven sacks today for the Patriots"... I can dream can't I?
5 - Demi Keller
Why did Tom Brady beat it up the steelers team that's my father favortie football players I like the patriots is my favortie team I want to married Tom Brady he is the guy for me if I don't not married I need go back to work with my father at his work and i want to date Tom Brady I love him
6 - Demi Keller
I what a tickets to see the patriots team play