BSJ Game Report: Patriots 20, Steelers 3 - Defense helps NE survive shaky Maye, Stevenson

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Steelers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots didn't need any offense in this one: I mean, that's a little bit of hyperbole, but the Patriots' defense did outscore the Steelers 7-3 thanks to Christian Barmore's strip sack of Aaron Rodgers and Elijah Ponder's return for a touchdown to make it 20-3 early in the fourth quarter.

Part of it was the pathetic state of the Steelers' offense, which has scored one offensive touchdown in two games and averaged 2.9 yards per play on Sunday until garbage time (not to mention D.K. Metcalf continuing to drop passes in big moments).

But give a lot of credit to the Patriots' defense, especially since they started the game without CB Carlton Davis, then lost safeties Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus, and edge Dre'Mont Jones during the game.

Christian Gonzalez continued his strong play by locking up Metcalf; the Steelers couldn't run the ball (Jaylen Warren averaged 3.8, Rico Dowdle 3.1 before garbage time), and the Patriots were able to regularly make Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket with well-timed pressure.

Stevenson fumbles against Steelers again, but Henderson bails him out: A year after fumbling twice in a loss to the Steelers, Rhamondre Stevenson had deja vu as he ended a promising drive with another fumble. He went to the bench for a while, but TreVeyon Henderson picked him up by doing what he does: using his speed to exploit a huge hole, thanks to great blocking from Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson and DeMario Douglas.

Injuries are becoming a real concern: After a charmed season in which the Patriots didn't see one regular starter placed on season-ending injured reserve, the team's injury luck is going in the wrong direction. A week after WR A.J. Brown was lost for at least four weeks (and CB Carlton Davis was inactive on Sunday), RG Mike Onwenu's season appears to be over with what looked like a broken lower right leg. Greg Van Roten replaced him.

And that was just the beginning. Edge Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), TE Eli Raridon (thigh), S Craig Woodson, and S Dell Pettus (ankle) all left the game and did not return.

Before the season, guard, edge, and tight end were three of the team's thinnest positions.

Drake Maye still out of sorts: The final score will hide it, but the conversation will continue this week how Maye is completely out of sorts to start this season. He made a couple of plays, mostly on the run, but he again threw the ball terribly, ran into sacks when receivers were open, and threw a terrible interception to Hunter Henry.

Maye finished 14 of 22 for 208 yards, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. 

As everyone knows, this team isn't going anywhere without Maye getting back in a groove. 

TURNING POINT

It was probably the earlier Malachi crunch of Rodgers by Christian Elliss and Robert Spillane, but Barmore's sack and Ponder's touchdown ended the game.

SECOND GUESS

I don't really have much. The offense stunk because of Stevenson's fumble, Maye not hitting open receivers, and his brutal turnover. The defense held the Steelers without an offensive touchdown for the first time since 2010. Andy Borregales missed a field goal, but special teams was fine.

It was not a pretty win, but the score looked pretty.

THREE UP

DE Elijah Ponder: Got the touchdown thanks to Barmore's sack, but he seemed to be all over the place against the run and pass.

CB Christian Gonzalez: Another week, another game where Gonzalez made it tough on the opponent's top target. Metcalf had nine targets for 4 catches and 27 yards.

WR Romeo Doubs: He did have a drop late in the game on a ball behind him, but Doubs did rebound with 3 catches for 96 yards, including a 63-yarder.

THREE DOWN

QB Drake Maye: If the Steelers were competent, the Patriots might have lost this game again, and it would have been on the quarterback. 

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: Ran really well overall, but he just can't keep fumbling.

LT Will Campbell and C Jared Wilson: The second-year players each allowed three pressures, which accounted for half the pressures.

INJURIES

RG Mike Onwenu (ankle): Got rolled up on a Maye sack and appeared to sustain a very serious injury that will likely put his season in jeopardy.

Edge Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder): Did not return.

TE Eli Raridon (thigh): Was questionable to return. Did not return.

S Dell Pettus (ankle): Was questionable to return. Did not return.

S Craig Woodson (shoulder): Was questionable to return. Did not return.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

• It's no secret, Maye has to get going and that's largely on him with the plays he's leaving on the field.

I asked Vrabel how they get him going, and he's pretty critical of the QB, and Maye was of himself later.

"Well, the same way that we did," Vrabel said. "You know, I mean, we got to hit some plays, and again, you just got to go out and play, have fun, compete, but make great decisions. You know, this is ... I can only imagine what it's like being a quarterback in the National Football League. Again, he's the one that's going to orchestrate and conduct everything that we do, and make sure that everybody believes that the play that we're running is going to be the one that's successful, and not all-not every time it is-but he has to be able to take that demeanor and spread it to the football team, throw to the guy that's open, and again make great decisions. And so, I'm always going to trust his decision. I'm going to trust every player's decision that has the football, and we'll continue to keep working. And I thought there were some really great throws down the field and some opportunities. And then, you know, I mean, if he doesn't feel it, then he doesn't feel it."

• Now the Patriots are in it, with the injuries and schedule.

The Patriots didn't face much adversity last season after starting 1-2, but they are now. Between Maye's ineffective play, the mounting injuries (especially at thin positions), and with road trips to Jacksonville and Buffalo coming up, the pressure is on now for the Patriots to ramp up their play quickly.