Patriots Beat Steelers 20-3 for First Win as Defense Scores, 5 Injuries Mount
Updated
Updated · Boston Herald · Sep 21
Patriots Beat Steelers 20-3 for First Win as Defense Scores, 5 Injuries Mount
3 articles · Updated · Boston Herald · Sep 21
Summary
New England moved to 1-1 with a 20-3 home win, getting its first victory of the season even as five players left injured during the game.
The defense drove the result by harassing Aaron Rodgers, forcing two turnovers and turning Christian Barmore’s strip-sack into Elijah Ponder’s 19-yard fumble-return touchdown.
TreVeyon Henderson added a 39-yard touchdown run in his season debut, while Drake Maye finished 14-of-22 for 208 yards with an interception and still looked uneven after Week 1.
Mike Onwenu, Dre’Mont Jones, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus and Eli Raridon all exited, leaving coach Mike Vrabel stressing that pressure on opposing quarterbacks remains the team’s formula.
The Patriots now head to Jacksonville for Week 3, with their defensive showing offset by fresh concerns over health and offensive consistency.