At Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday night, December 7, 2023, the New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 21–18. The game was close the entire way, but the Patriots gained the lead in the fourth quarter and held on to win.
The Patriots’ defense, which limited the Steelers to just 18 points, was their strongest suit. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore recorded a sack in addition to a fumble recovery, while linebacker Matt Judon recorded a sack and two tackles for loss. With quarterback Mac Jones completing 21 of 30 throws for 225 yards and two touchdowns, the Patriots offense also performed admirably. Damien Harris, the running back, had a fantastic performance, amassing 111 yards on 24 carries.
The Patriots now have a 7-5 record after their second straight victory. Conversely, the Steelers dropped to 5-7.
Important Statistics:
Patriots: 23 first downs, 2-4 on third down, 0-1 on fourth down, one turnover, and 21 scores and 349 total yards.
18 points, 278 yards in total, 18 first downs, 4-12 on third down, 0-2 on fourth down, and two turnovers for the Steelers
Important Plays:
First quarter: With the score deadlocked at zero points, Mac Jones found Jakobi Meyers for a 25-yard touchdown throw, putting the Patriots ahead by seven points.
Third quarter: Najee Harris’ 1-yard touchdown run gave the Steelers a 14-14 lead.
Fourth quarter: Mac Jones’ 2-yard touchdown run gave the Patriots their first lead of the game.
When the Patriots play the Kansas City Chiefs on December 17, they will aim to carry on their winning ways. On December 11, the Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in an attempt to get back on track.
Evaluation:
The New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers as a result of their defense playing well. The Patriots’ defense managed to force two turnovers while limiting the Steelers to just 18 points. Mac Jones, the Patriots’ two-time touchdown thrower, led an offensive unit that performed admirably.
With 104 yards gained on the ground by running back Najee Harris, the Steelers were in the lead. However, Ben Roethlisberger only completed 17 of 34 passes for 182 yards and one score, meaning the Steelers’ offense was unable to generate any momentum through the air.
For the Patriots, the victory was significant because it kept them in the running for a postseason berth. Conversely, the Steelers now have an uphill struggle to qualify for the postseason.
Gazing Forward:
On December 17, the New England Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs in an attempt to extend their winning run. On December 11, the Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in an attempt to get back on track.