The New England Patriots dropped their Week 3 contest to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-14 on Sunday.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.
Winners
TE Hunter Henry: The veteran tight end had twice as many targets (11), catches (9), and receiving yards (90) than any other Patriots pass catcher on Sunday. He was also the only one to find the end zone as Henry hauled in a pair of touchdowns, including a fourth-down conversion to tie the game. Henry, who continues to be one of Maye’s most
consistent and reliable targets, also did so after returning from a left leg injury he suffered earlier in the contest.
LB Harold Landry III: In a similar fashion to Tua Tagovailoa last week, Aaron Rodgers was getting the ball out fast on Sunday with an average time to throw under 2.5 seconds. That made it difficult for New England’s defensive front to make a major impact, but pass rusher Harold Landry showed up with a quarterback hit, forced fumble, and tackle for loss on a screen.
LB Robert Spillane: It was a more consistent day in the office for linebacker Robert Spillane. While he had one miss in space on Jaylen Warren, Spillane was better as a tackler as he ended with 15 total tackles. The veteran linebacker was also in the right place at the right time as he intercepted a pass off Rodgers and returned it 37 yards to start the second half.
Losers
RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson: After fumbling the football seven times last season, running back Rhamondre Stevenson put the ball on the ground twice on Sunday — with one coming in the end zone as he looked for the game-tying touchdown near the goal line. With known fumbling issues, defenses have started attacking the football when it’s in Stevenson’s hands.
“We identify opportunities, and certainly he had some fumble issues last year. So, it was an agenda item for us,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said.
Stevenson wasn’t alone, however, as Antonio Gibson then lost a fumble in the second-half. The veteran’s ball security issues opened the door for TreVeyon Henderson to dominate the snaps to conclude the game. But, the rookie also allowed an early pressure in pass protection and managed just 2.5 yards per carry. New England needs Stevenson and Gibson’s skillset as Henderson continues to adjust to the pro game, but the fumbles can not happen.
WR DeMario Douglas: Douglas’ saw an increase in playing time after logging just 15 snaps last week in Miami, but the slot receiver remained largely quiet hauling in just two-of-five targets for seven yards. Douglas then went backwards on the final fourth-down attempt near the line to gain, which drew comments from both Vrabel and Maye post game about getting downhill quicker. Through three games, Douglas has totaled just five catches for 13 yards and a score.
Offensive line: While Pittsburgh did dial up the pressure, the heat on Drake Maye was noticeable throughout live action on Sunday which Pro Football Focus initially charted as a 38 percent pressure rate. In a matchup against an explosive speed rusher, rookie Will Campbell struggled containing Nick Herbig as the left tackle allowed a team-high seven pressures. Campbell and fellow rookie Jared Wilson, who was tabbed with four pressures, also gave up a sack on a stunt by Cameron Hayward.
Elsewhere up front, Morgan Moses gave up a sack to T.J. Watt while New England as a whole averaged just 3.36 yards per carry on non-Maye runs.
Tackling: Another week, another poor tackling effort by New England’s defense despite it being a point of emphasis this week. After missing 12 tackles in Miami last week, the Patriots missed 14 against the Steelers. Their 23.3 percent miss tackle rate was their highest in a game since Week 2, 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. Linebacker Christian Elliss had some noticeable misses before being quickly replaced by Jack Gibbens.
Other performances of note
- New England’s wide receivers combined for 12 catches for 93 yards. Boutte’s 28 yards led the bunch.
- K’Lavon Chaisson had another offsides penalty following two last week, but also logged two QB hits and a tackle for loss.
- Khyiris Tonga and Joshua Farmer had noticeable plays against the runs, while Milton Williams also recorded two TFLs.
- New England had Carlton Davis largely shadow D.K. Metcalf with Marcus Jones taking Calvin Austin. Davis surrendered three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown — to go along with a questionable pass interference penalty — while Jones gave up just two catches but was beat for the game-winning touchdown against Austin.
- Cornerback Alex Austin got off to a tough start with a defensive pass interference penalty and a defensive holding call that negated a third-down strip-sack by Milton Williams. Austin was then replaced by Charles Woods.
- Quiet day for New England’s special teams with Andy Borregales making both extra points.
- Four fourth-down attempts by Mike Vrabel and his staff prior to the final drive. On each, including the fourth-and-1 from their own 15-yard line, Vrabel’s decision to go matched those of standard analytic models.
