It came down to the bitter end, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally beaten a Tom Brady-led Patriots squad for the first time since 2004.
The final was 25-17, but the Steelers dominated play much more than the score indicated. Pittsburgh outgained New England 427-213. Brady only threw for 198 yards. The Patriots went 3/10 on 3rd down conversions. The list goes on.
Roethlisberger’s final stat line was much more Brady-esque. Big Ben completed 23 (!!!) passes in the first half alone and finished the game going 36-50 for 356 yards.
What was most encouraging about this win, though, was that the Steelers were able to hang on on for the win even without many of their key players. James Harrison, James Farrior and Hines Ward didn’t play. LaMarr Woodley missed most of the 2nd half. Marcus Gilbert was in and out of the game with injuries.
Young Steelers like Bruce Carter, Stevenson Sylvester, Weslye Saunders and Keenan Lewis played major roles in this win. It wasn’t the old guard of the Steelers figuring out the Patriots as much as it was the fresh-faced, athletic Steelers beating New England at their own game.
Much, much more from this one later on in the week.
Baltimore visits Heinz Field next weekend.
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