PATRIOTS GET FIRST WIN IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE

by: Josh Nawoichik

New England bounced back from a lifeless loss in week 1 with a 17-14 scrappy win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. An unsacked Mac Jones threw for 252 yards and a touchdown. Since 2017 the Steelers have led the National Football League in sacks.

The Steelers who are notoriously good at getting quarterback pressure, were unable to get a single sack against the Pats, most likely due to the loss of T.J Watt in week 1. New England, on the other hand, sacked Mitchell Trubisky 3 times. 

Sacks werent the only part of defense that the Patriots succeeded in. Their secondary totaled 7 pass defelctions and 2021 pickup Jalen Mills recorded his first interception as a Patriot. The pass defense was relentless and held Trubisky to only 168 passing yards with an offense that just looked lost. They were never able to gather any sense of rhythm.

New Englands offense could not get much going either. Nelson Agholor held the only big play for either team with a 44 yard touchdown in the second quarter. The only other touchdown for the Pats was scored by Damien Harris in which the drive began at the 10 yard line after a muffed punt by former Patriot Gunner Olszewski. 

You have to give New England props though. Winning in Pittsburgh is never easy, and it was a collective effort to do so. Longtime Patriots safety Devin McCourty believes that the team is trying to figure it out.

“We’re building an identity,” he said. “To come to Pittsburg and gut out a win, you start to build who you are.” 

This teams identity resembles one that Patriots fans have been used to. A responsible, methodical offense with a strong defense to back it up. Agholor also thinks that this game is a stepping stone to build their identity.

“I hope this game is a stepping stone to where we’re headed,” said Agholor. “At the same time, I don't want it to be, ‘Hey, this is our identity.’ It's more ‘OK, we see some good stuff. Now let’s get better.”

For New England fans this game is a step in the right direction. The offense still needs to find its groove from last year if they want to make it back to the playoffs. In week 3 they take on a disgruntled Ravens team who just came off a disappointing comeback-from-behind loss to the Dolphins.