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Pittsburgh stymied by rugged New England defense: Steelers fall to Pats, 17-14

Chris Graham
Pittsburgh Steelers
(© dean bertoncelj – Shutterstock)

The Pittsburgh Steelers got within a field goal with a touchdown and two-point conversion on the first play of the fourth quarter, but the New England Patriots were able to run the final 6:33 off the clock, converting a pair of third downs on the clinching drive, to close out the 17-14 win.

The Patriots (1-1) held the Steelers (1-1) to 243 yards, with Pittsburgh QB Mitch Trubisky having a pedestrian day under center – 21-of-33, 168 yards, one TD, one INT and a 73.8 passer rating.

The Steelers offense had managed just a pair of Chris Boswell field goals – from 36 and 52 yards – until Trubisky connected with Pat Freiermuth on an 8-yard TD pass early in the fourth.

The Trubisky-to-Diontae Johnson two-point pass made it 17-14 New England with 14:58 left.

The Steelers got the ball back for two more possessions, but both were three-and-outs.

New England QB Mac Jones had an average day himself – 21-of-35, 252 yards, one TD, one INT, 79.7 passer rating.

Wideout Nelson Agholor had a monster diet for the Patriots, hauling in six catches on six targets for 110 yards and a TD.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].