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