Best & Worst
of yesterday’s game
BEST EARLY REVIVAL: After a lackluster performance against the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver Brandin Cooks caught a 43-yard pass from quarterback Tom Brady to help set up the Patriots' first touchdown. BEST SWARM: Defensive linemen Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise converged on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a sack to force Pittsburgh to settle for a field goal in the second quarter. WORST BREAK: Steelers receiver Antonio Brown suffered a left calf injury on a pass in the end zone in the second quarter and missed the rest of the game. BEST MINI-CELEBRATION: Tight end Rob Gronkowski signaled for a first down while lying on his back after a reception in the second quarter. WORST HANDSHAKE: Cornerback Stephon Gilmore grabbed Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant left hand in an attempt to help break up a pass. It didn't matter, though, as Bryant pulled down a one-handed grab with his right one for a second-quarter touchdown. BEST WILLIE MAYS IMPRESSION: Gronkowski made a tremendous, over-the-shoulder grab for a 22-yard completion in the third quarter. BEST CONVERSION: Facing a fourth-and-1 from the Steelers 16-yard line in the third quarter, Brady hit Gronkowski for a 10-yard gain to keep a key drive going. WORST TIME TO BREAK A STREAK: Brady had gone 12 years and 301 pass attempts without an interception against the Steelers before Pittsburgh linebacker Vincent Williams picked him off in Pats territory in the third quarter. WORST BUD-DY: Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree dropped Brady for a sack that forced a Pats field goal in the fourth quarter. WORST DEFENSIVE DROP: Steelers safety Sean Davis could not hold on to what could have been a game-clinching interception on the Patriots' game-winning drive. BEST ACE IN THE HOLE: Hard to isolate one play, but Gronkowski was unstoppable all game with nine receptions for 168 yards. BEST BREAK: A controversial call not only took away a touchdown by Steelers tight end Jesse James, but the reception as well. Two plays later, Patriots safety Duron Harmon intercepted Roethlisberger in the end zone to seal the victory.