Loss of control at finish
Replay takes away TD by James, helps redeem Rowe
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
PITTSBURGH — This time around, Jesse James felt robbed.
James’ 10-yard touchdown was overturned yesterday in the fourth quarter, which played a significant role in the Patriots’ 27-24 victory against the Steelers at Heinz Field.
James was wide open for the catch with 28 seconds remaining, potentially because Eric Rowe stuck to a zone while everyone else played man coverage. But as James hit the ground while crossing the goal line, the ball bounced loose from his hands and he lost possession.
“He lost complete control of the football,” referee Tony Corrente said.
Before it was overturned, the Steelers were celebrating their newfound 30-27 lead, but it went to replay and seemed to stun all involved.
“I know it’s always hard to know,” Devin McCourty said. “When he hit the ground, is it catch, no catch? But when you see it, it was kind like his hands weren’t under it. Obviously, I’m a little biased, so I thought it wasn’t a catch.”
The Patriots defense was busy on the sideline during the review. Elandon Roberts was telling teammates the ball came free and would be overturned, and Matt Patricia was discussing the impending situations with the defense, whether it would be second-and-goal from the 10yard line or on the 1, or if it’d be a touchdown.
“We were trying to go through situations, go through what calls we’re going to have, what personnel we’re going to have out there,” Harmon said. “Just trying to be ready for when it’s time for us to get back out there.”
Ultimately, the Steelers recognized why Corrente overturned the play.
“Obviously, no one touched him,” Ben Roethlisberger said of James as he crossed the goal line. “I thought that he crossed the plane before the ball hit the ground, but the rule is you must possess it all the way through.”
Two plays later, Roethlisberger was intercepted in the end zone, and the Pats secured the victory.
“Once I saw the replay, I did see the ball move, but I wasn’t too sure because he wasn’t touched,” Rowe said. “It could have went either way. I’m obviously glad it went our way.”
Rowe-ler coaster ride
Rowe had an eventful night while earning his most extensive playing time since September. He was back in a full-time role for the first time since he tore his groin in Week 4 against the Panthers, holding down the nickel cornerback role ahead of Jonathan Jones.
Eli Rogers beat Rowe for an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and JuJu Smith-Schuster raced past Rowe for a 69-yard catch on the Steelers’ final possession. Rowe was picked by Martavis Bryant on that play. And Rowe might have also been at fault for James’ non-touchdown a play later.
But it was Rowe who broke up Roethlisberger’s final bid for Rogers, and the ball deflected into Duron Harmon’s hands for an interception.
“Oh my gosh, that long JuJu (Smith-Schuster) play, I knew he was doing a crosser,” Rowe said. “I was on him but I got picked just a little bit by the receiver, and then once he broke that tackle, I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I was really mad at myself for letting that happen. In my head, I was like, ‘Damn, I just gave up this game by myself.’ And then they scored and obviously made me feel bad. But it got overturned, and I was like ‘OK, just got to keep playing.’ One last play, I was blessed just to make the play.”
Rowe had good coverage on Rogers on that decisive pass, too, so any mistakes beforehand were drowned out by the heroics at the end.
“I didn’t think he was going to throw it because I was right on his hip,” Rowe said. “He threw it and I was like, ‘Man, I just need to break this up.’ Boom. It tipped up and I thought (the Steelers) caught it. I was like, ‘Oh, my god.’ We came down with it, and I was ecstatic.”
Britt ends drought
Kenny Britt caught a 7-yard pass in his Patriots debut, as he was active because Chris Hogan was held out to rest his shoulder injury.
Britt had minimal work after just three practices, as the Patriots got him up to speed just enough to run a handful of plays.
And he was thrilled to finally join the Patriots after years of hoping. It’s hard to argue because Britt had lost his last 15 games with the Rams and Browns.
“Dreams come true, to tell you the truth,” Britt said. “It’s one of the places I wanted to be for a while now. My life journey hasn’t taken me here until now.”
As for his comfort level? Well, there wasn’t much of one.
“Comfort level? There was no comfort, at all,” Britt said. “But those guys believed in me, and the coaches believed in me. One thing I noticed once I stepped into the building, the guys in the building from the top down believe in each other and they build each other up.”
First-time champ
Stephon Gilmore never sniffed an AFC East title during his fiveyear stint with the Bills, so he was excited.
“(The Patriots) have been beating me my whole career, so I’m glad I’m on this side now because these guys, man, they play together as a team,” Gilmore said. “Everybody is out to win. That’s one thing I love about this team.” . . .
Rogers predicted the Steelers would beat the Pats in the playoffs. Then again, the Steelers have said that a few times before.
“We’ll see them again,” Rogers said, “and the outcome will be different.”