National Football League

Week 7: Patriots - Steelers Game Review

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:27 p.m. ET

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quarterOct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talk after their game at Heinz Field. New England won 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In what was supposed to be a great game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers (pre-Roethlisber injury) turned out to be a pre-decided game before the game.

The Steelers weren’t given much of a chance, and it is understandable why: Landry Jones was at QB and there were plenty of issues with the defense.

However, it wasn’t the blowout that most predicted. It was fairly close until the second half of the game. The Steelers played relatively well, that is until it really mattered.

It wasn’t a perfect game from the Patriots, but the most important thing is they escaped Heinz Field was a win.

Positives

Next: Negatives

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) recovers a fumble against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Negatives

Next: Play of the Game & Things to Improve On

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) scores a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Robert Golden (21) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Patriots won the game, 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Play of the Game

Gronkowski TD in the 3rd QTR

After the Steelers kicked a FG that made the game 14-13, the Patriots offense were looking to kill their momentum. On 3rd-and-7 on the Steelers side of the field, Brady found Gronkowski down the seam for a 36-yard TD pass. This put the Patriots 20-13, and they never looked back.

For some strange reason, the Steelers, who had limited Gronkowski from really having a huge game up to the point, elected to put a safety on him in single coverage down the seam. Primarily when Gronkowski is running down field, one would think that opposing teams would elect to double cover him or have a box coverage on him, but the Steelers have yet to learn their lesson in five games played against him.

Something that may go unnoticed however is that Edelman was open coming across the field on an in-route, so regardless the third down would have likely been converted, and the drive would have continued.

Things to Improve On

Third Down/Redzone Defense

This will be something that the Patriots can always improve on going forward, especially with how they played on third down at times this season. The defense seems to be trending upward now as they now rank 22nd on third down percentage (42%) and 21st in redzone scoring percentage (61%). Hopefully this continues.

Pass Defense

Aside from Butler and Ryan (at times), Patriots cornerbacks have looked shaky during this season, and this was the case again when they faced the Steelers offense. Ryan and Rowe didn’t have their best games against the Steelers WRs.

Stephen Gostkowski

Gostkowski will also be another thing to monitor as he missed another PAT this season. Heinz Field is not one of the easier places to be a kicker, however, this is the second straight week Gostkowski has missed a PAT. Again, it’s not time to panic, but his performance will monitored closely for the rest of the season.

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick takes notes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Patriots won the game, 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Final Thoughts

Tom Brady now improves to 9-2 vs the Steelers (5-1 vs. Mike Tomlin-coached Steelers). In his last 7 games against the Steelers he has thrown 19 TDs and 0 INTs.

Insane.

The Steelers had a smart gameplan that could have worked, had their execution been better. But it is strange they elected not blitz at all. Brady has gotten better vs. the blitz, but he still isn’t perfect, especially with pressure up the middle.

The defense did catch a break against the Steelers as they were without Ben Roethlisberger (who may be out a couple more games) and Brown for some periods of the game. One would think that this would have been one of their biggest tests of the season to see where they stand, but unfortunately they got robbed of the opportunity, and improve to 6-1 without much of a fight.

Many Patriots fans are unsatisfied with the way the offense and defense performed (and there are issues to be addressed), but they continuously forget this team is much better during the second half of the season. It has been the case while Bill Belichick has been head coach, and will likely continue.

Certain matchups and personnel dictate the way the defense approaches a team, and the Patriots have yet to face a team with a lethal air attack and ground game. It was clear the gameplan during this game was to stop Bell on the ground, and force Landry Jones to beat them with his arm. It wasn’t executed perfect, but they escaped with a win. To think the gameplan wouldn’t have been different if Roethlisberger was playing would be non-sense.

Upcoming Schedule

10/30at Buffalo Bills11/13Seattle Seahawks11/20at San Francisco 49ers11/27at New York Jets12/4Los Angeles Rams

Next Week

Before the much needed bye week, the Patriots have the pleasure of traveling to New Era Stadium to take on the Buffalo Bills in what will be seen as a revenge game for New England.

The Bills shut out the Patriots at home and won 16-0. New England would certainly love to return the favour.