The Patriots were already the Steelers’ pet peeve before Tom Brady arrived in New England 22 years ago. And they showed they were still there until proven otherwise, Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Updated yesterday at 10:00 p.m.
In a game where mistakes were likely to decide the winner, that is precisely what happened. If the Pats won 17-14 at Acrisure Stadium, it was because they made fewer mistakes than the Steelers.
As if losing again to the Patriots in their first game since Brady’s departure wasn’t enough, the Steelers saw a former Pats commit the blunder that likely cost them the game. Returner Gunner Olszewski foolishly lost the ball after he was unable to control a punt. Damien Harris scored the game-winning touchdown three plays later, a two-yard run.
It was a “Belichickian” victory for the Patriots. They won the battle of turnovers, 2-1, avoided blunders, and the defense held the Steelers offense well, which had a second straight game.
Mitch Trubisky was generally content to throw short passes, which didn’t sit well with Steelers fans. From 3e quarterback, the crowd chanted “Kenny, Kenny, Kenny” for Kenny Pickett, the club’s first pick in April and future quarterback.
Trubisky completed 21 of 33 passes, but for just 168 yards. He threw a touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth and an interception, completed by Jalen Mills.
The Steelers play their next game Thursday night in Cleveland, so a change at quarterback in a short week is unlikely. But Mike Tomlin will have to seriously consider this option if Mitch Trubisky doesn’t play better against the Browns.
With Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, rookie George Pickens and Freiermuth, Trubisky has a good quartet of receivers around him and the line has given him adequate protection in the first two games. It doesn’t seem so much a question of if, but of when Pickett will replace Trubisky. Pickett shone during the preseason schedule and played five seasons in the NCAA.
Mac Jones was clearly superior to Trubisky, even if his statistics were correct, nothing more. He completed 21 of 35 passes for 252 yards, and threw a touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor, who led the team with 110 yards on 6 catches. Jakobi Meyers grabbed 9 balls for 95 yards, and the ground game was at his best to end the game in the final minutes of 4e quarter.
The Pats offensive line also did a good job as the Steelers recorded no sacks in their first game without TJ Watt. Their record without their excellent quarterback hunter is now 0-5.
The number: 28
PHOTO MITCH STRINGER, USA TODAY SPORTS
WR Tommylee Lewis (85) and Tyreek Hill (10)
The Dolphins trailed by 21 points, 35-14, at the start of the 4e quarterback in Baltimore, but put up 28 points in the final 15 minutes to defeat the Ravens, 42-38. In addition to the Dolphins, the Jets and Cardinals also erased significant deficits to win against the Browns and Raiders on Sunday.
The hero: Tua Tagovailoa
PHOTO JULIO CORTEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tua Tagovailoa (1)
The young Dolphins quarterback had his best game of his career, passing 36 of 50 for 469 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the spectacular comeback of his team. Tagovailoa’s two leading receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, both caught 11 passes and scored 2 touchdowns. Hill finished the game with 190 yards and Waddle with 171.
Zero: Matt Ryan
PHOTO GARY MCCULLOUGH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Matt Ryan (2)
A week after their draw in Houston, the Colts went to get shut out 24-0 in Jacksonville. Although he plays behind a good line and can count on running back Jonathan Taylor, Ryan is having a difficult start with his new team. He completed just 16 of 30 passes for 195 yards against the Jaguars. He also threw three interceptions and was the victim of five sacks.
It will get people talking: Jimmy Garoppolo
PHOTO TONY AVELAR, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Uchenna Nwosu (10)
In our weekly feature in Saturday’s issue, it was about Jimmy Garoppolo’s future with the 49ers. Jimmy G returned to his starting quarterback position on Sunday as youngster Trey Lance suffered an ankle injury early in the game. Garoppolo (13 of 21 for 154 yards) threw a touchdown pass and scored another on the ground in the Niners’ 27-7 win over the Seahawks. Lance meanwhile will have to undergo surgery and his season is over.