Five turnovers. Honestly, if you told any New England fan before kickoff that the Patriots would cough the ball up five times and still be in a position to tie the game in the fourth quarter, they’d have called you crazy. But that was the reality of the Week 3 matchup at Gillette Stadium. The score patriots vs steelers ended in a 21-14 victory for Pittsburgh, but the box score barely scratches the surface of how weird this game actually felt.
It was Drake Maye’s first real taste of this historic rivalry. On the other side? Aaron Rodgers, looking every bit the seasoned vet in a Steelers uniform, doing just enough to navigate a Pittsburgh offense that struggled to find any real rhythm on the ground.
The Numbers That Defined the Score Patriots vs Steelers
Pittsburgh came into Foxborough as slight underdogs, which isn't surprising given their historical struggles in that stadium. Before this win, the Steelers hadn't tasted victory in New England since 2008. Think about that. George W. Bush was still in office the last time Pittsburgh left Foxborough with a "W."
The final score of 21-14 was a testament to "Steelers football"—gritty, slightly ugly, and entirely dependent on a defense that refuses to break.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- 1st Quarter: PIT 7, NE 0 (DK Metcalf 12-yard TD catch)
- 2nd Quarter: PIT 14, NE 7 (Hunter Henry 5-yard TD catch answers Rodgers’ second TD)
- 3rd Quarter: PIT 14, NE 7 (A defensive stalemate with zero points scored)
- 4th Quarter: PIT 21, NE 14 (Calvin Austin III seals it with a 17-yard grab)
New England actually outgained Pittsburgh significantly, racking up 369 total yards compared to Pittsburgh's 203. You usually don't lose games when you outgain the opponent by 160 yards. But, as Mike Vrabel likely told his team in a very loud locker room afterward, yards don't matter when you give the ball away five times.
📖 Related: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
Why the Patriots Couldn't Close the Gap
Drake Maye finished the day with 268 passing yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Hunter Henry. Henry was basically the only reliable target out there, hauling in 8 catches for 90 yards. He actually moved into third place on the Patriots' all-time tight end reception list during this game, passing Russ Francis and Marv Cook.
But Maye’s stats are scarred by the turnovers. An interception and a lost fumble by the rookie quarterback, combined with two fumbles from Rhamondre Stevenson and another from Antonio Gibson, basically handed the game to Pittsburgh on a silver platter.
The most painful moment? The final drive.
New England had the ball at the Pittsburgh 28-yard line on 4th-and-1. They had converted four straight fourth downs earlier in the game. Maye threw a quick pass to DeMario Douglas in the flat. Instead of just lowering his head and getting the yard, Douglas tried to juke linebacker Patrick Queen. He got swallowed up for a 1-yard loss. Game over.
👉 See also: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
The Aaron Rodgers Factor in Pittsburgh
It’s still a little jarring to see Rodgers in black and gold. He wasn't spectacular—139 yards isn't going to win him another MVP—but he was efficient. His 17-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 2:16 left in the game was a classic Rodgers "free play" moment where he caught the defense leaning.
Pittsburgh's run game was nonexistent. The Patriots' defense held them to a measly 2.5 yards per carry. Jaylen Warren found no room, finishing with 47 yards on 18 carries. If the Steelers' defense hadn't played like they were possessed by the ghosts of the Steel Curtain, Rodgers wouldn't have had a chance. T.J. Watt was a nightmare as usual, recording two sacks and a forced fumble that felt like a momentum-killer every time New England got close to the red zone.
Historical Context of the Rivalry
This game moved the all-time series to 19-17 in favor of the Patriots. While New England still holds the postseason edge (4-1), this regular-season win for Mike Tomlin's squad felt like a massive weight off their shoulders. Winning at Gillette Stadium has been the "final boss" for the Steelers for nearly two decades.
The score patriots vs steelers might look like a typical low-scoring defensive battle, but it signaled a shift. The Patriots are in a rebuilding phase with Maye, showing flashes of brilliance but crippled by "young team" mistakes. Meanwhile, the Steelers are leaning into a veteran QB and an elite defense to stay relevant in a brutal AFC North.
✨ Don't miss: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
What This Means for Your Betting and Fantasy Strategy
If you're looking at these teams for the rest of the season, here are the cold, hard takeaways:
- Hunter Henry is a Must-Start: In a Maye-led offense, Henry is the security blanket. He's getting the targets that matter.
- Steelers Defense is Elite (Again): They don't need a high-powered offense to win. If your fantasy league rewards turnovers and sacks, you keep them locked in.
- The Patriots Run Game is a Liability: Stevenson's fumbling issues in this game are a huge red flag. Watch the injury and depth charts to see if Antonio Gibson or Ty Montgomery start eating into those touches.
For those tracking the playoff race, the Steelers used this win to help clinch the AFC North later in the season, while the Patriots showed enough grit to eventually claw their way into a wild-card spot. It turns out this Week 3 slugfest was more important than anyone realized at the time.
Check the current NFL injury reports before placing any futures bets on these two, as the physical toll of this specific game led to several "limited" designations in the following weeks. Keeping an eye on T.J. Watt’s snap count is especially vital, as he clearly carries the weight of that Pittsburgh win on his shoulders.