It was New England’s third win against a team with a winning percentage of .500 of more (Miami in Week 3, Baltimore in Week 6), and it couldn’t have come at a better time as the Pats can now ride some momentum heading into their matchup with the Colts.
But before we get into Week 11, NESN.com Patriots reporter Jeff Howe is going to dish out his weekly grades and ask you to grade the team yourself.
OFFENSE
Tom Brady had his best game of the year and exposed a beatable Steelers secondary, even while nursing a right foot injury. And his effectiveness allowed the Patriots to run the ball in the second half. BenJarvus Green-Ellis‘ 87 rushing yards were more than the Steelers allowed any team to gain this season.
Jeff Howe: A
DEFENSE
The defense only allowed three points through three quarters and beat up a depleted Pittsburgh offensive line to the tune of five sacks. Things got a little ugly in the fourth quarter, and Bill Belichick will be preaching a finishing mentality this week.
Jeff Howe: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS
No real harm here, except for that missed extra point, which brings down the grade a whole letter. But, Shayne Graham kicked a pair of field goals, and the Patriots were on point with Pittsburgh’s onside attempts.
Jeff Howe: B
COACHING
The Patriots were a better team throughout the game, and the coaching staff deserves credit for getting the players back on point after the Cleveland loss. Still, they’re going to be a little ornery after the fourth-quarter wackiness.
Jeff Howe: A-
GAME PLAN
Pittsburgh’s offensive line yielded 50 sacks last season and was missing three-fifths of its original starting unit, so the Patriots simply had to win that battle. They did so by bringing pressure from a variety of angles, and Pittsburgh’s offensive line continuously looked outsmarted and undermanned. The Patriots kept running back Rashard Mendenhall at bay — in part, because of the substantial lead they built by the third quarter — and then kept attacking Ben Roethlisberger, who couldn’t stay comfortable.
Jeff Howe: A-
