FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Steelers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Defense was as advertised: Even without one of its best playmakers in Kyle Van Noy (paternity leave), the Patriots' defense picked up right where it left off in the Super Bowl with a completely dominating performance. Before the game got out of hand, the Steelers were forced to punt or had a failed fourth-down attempt on all five of their first-half possessions. The Steelers ran just one play in New England territory (the 47) in the first half and promptly were stopped on 4th-and-1. Pittsburgh was 0 for 2 on third downs in the first half and had just 41 total yards. Whether it was tight coverage in the secondary or a spunky pass rush, Ben Roethlisberger couldn't figure out where to go with the ball and was often throwing off his back foot in the second half.
The offense was just fine without You-Know-Who: The Steelers have begun to play a lot more man coverage, and they've made some nice personnel additions on defense. Anyone notice? Tom Brady did what he always does to the Steelers: he completely ripped them apart. By the end of the third quarter, Brady was 22 of 31 for 325 yards and three touchdowns for a passer rating of 137.2. He completed passes to seven different receivers. Phillip Dorsett and Josh Gordon caught a combined 7 of 8 passes for 168 yards and three scores through three quarters. The Patriots didn't even need the running game, although that was effective outside Sony Michel (8 yards on nine carries). Oh, and some guy named Antonio Brown will sign on Monday.
TURNING POINT
Both teams traded punts on their first possessions and the Patriots were being deliberate getting down the field ... until the Patriots got to their 48-yard line and Josh McDaniels decided to loosen things up with a throwback screen from Julian Edelman to James White. It went for 32 yards and Brady hit Gordon for a touchdown on the next play.
Did someone say DOUBLE PASS?!@edelman11 | @sweetfeet_white pic.twitter.com/H2v7xPC4h3
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
SECOND GUESS
Mike Tomlin elected to kick a field goal from the Patriots' 1-yard line down 20-0 in the third quarter. Yeah, that really sparked the troops.
THREE UP
QB Tom Brady: Looked phenomenal and completely in command. At times he appeared a little rushed in the pocket, but he was surgical in this one.
WR Phillip Dorsett: Caught all four passes thrown to him for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Is that good?
S Patrick Chung: Hard to pick anyone out of that unit because they were all good, but Chung was near the team lead in tackles (as usual) and kept vaunted Steelers TE Vance McDonald to zero targets, let alone catches, until garbage time.
TWO DOWN
RB Sony Michel: Look, this was likely not all his fault — just like his success last year wasn't all his doing — but he had 13 carries for 19 yards at one point while the other running backs were 11 for 71 late in the fourth quarter.
P Jake Bailey: His first career punt was tremendous, 52 yards to the sideline with nearly 5 seconds of hangtime. His second was 32 yards. Need more consistency.
INJURIES
OLB Shilique Calhoun (right foot): Went down with 3:28 left in the first quarter.
RT Marcus Cannon (left shoulder): Potentially serious injury to his left shoulder midway through the fourth quarter. Joe Thuney moved to right tackle and Jermaine Eluemunor was inserted at left guard when play resumed.
Cannon came down hard. He's currenty in the medical tent. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/NYraMO8wbi
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 9, 2019
TOP PLAYS
GROOOOOOOONK.@RobGronkowski | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/dXlgbn0BbJ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
Droppin' banners. pic.twitter.com/xYxlnLrgBe
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
Current weather: clear skies and a flash of lightning. @JOSH_GORDONXII | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/cKEWjf9tx5
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
TD PD! #PITvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/pLEIZTfNF0
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
II for Dorsett II. #PITvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/jEQJvDAha7
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
Lightning strikes.@JOSH_GORDONXII | @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/hnsYskzlQr
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2019
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The Patriots won't get tested until Week 8 against the Browns: Most of us thought this when the schedule came out, but I backed off because you figured a few teams would get up for the Patriots. I don't know now. The rest of the schedule to start: at Dolphins, Jets, at Bills, at Redskins, Giants, at Jets. Did you watch any of those teams this weekend? Holy mackerel.
Adding Antonio Brown will hurt this offense ... momentarily: This whole group has worked basically since the Titans game to find a rhythm and work together. Brady finally figured out who to go to and when, even getting on the same page with guys like Jakobi Meyers and Ryan Izzo. In walks AB and the dynamic will change. I'm sure they'll be productive, but they won't fire on all cylinders for a few games.