Best & Worst of yesterday’s game
WORST START: On the Patriots’ first offensive play from scrimmage, Chris Hogan caught a 12-yard pass from Tom Brady, but Pittsburgh’s Jarvis Jones forced and recovered the fumble for an early momentum boost.
BEST RECOVERY: After giving up a 25-yard completion to Antonio Brown, Pats cornerback Malcolm Butler stuck with him and made an interception in the end zone three plays later to end a first quarter Steelers drive.
BEST BOUNCE-BACK PERFORMANCE: After a four-week stretch of just 14 catches, Julian Edelman made a seasonhigh nine receptions for 60 yards, his best game in over a month despite a drop and a fumble on a punt return.
WORST DROPS: Brandon Bolden’s drop on a third-down pass prevented the Pats from converting what would have been a sure a first down in the second quarter. Edelman also dropped a thirddown pass on the team’s next drive, but a holding call would have wiped out the completion, anyway.
WORST PUNT: Ryan Allen shanked a 25-yarder after Bolden’s drop, easily his worst of the season.
WORST KICK: Stephen Gostkowski’s missed extra point after a Rob Gronkowski touchdown in the third quarter — his second miss of the season — kept the Steelers within 20-13.
BEST BREAKS: A holding penalty negated a Darius Heyward-Bey touchdown, and Chris Boswell followed with a missed 42-yard field goal to keep the Patriots’ lead at 14-7 in the second quarter.
WORST SERIES: Left tackle Nate Solder was called for two holding calls in a row on the Pats’ first possession of the second half.
BEST MILESTONE: Gronkowski’s 36-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter tied the franchise mark for most touchdown receptions in a career with 67 and most touchdowns with 68. He shares both with Stanley Morgan.
WORST GIVEAWAY: Edelman’s fumble on a punt return in the fourth quarter could have been a huge momentum shift in Pittsburgh’s favor, but it ended up being harmless after a missed Steelers field goal.
WORST DECISION: With his team trailing, 27-16, and facing a fourthand-3 from the Patriots 36-yard line, Mike Tomlin decided to try a 54-yard field goal instead of going for it. Boswell sailed it wide right.