Big plays by TE Gronkowski in 2nd half sealed Steelers’ fate
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Depending on your perspective, the Steelers either did a good job locking down New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the first half or Tom Brady was merely lulling them to sleep with the inactivity.
Gronkowski was targeted just one time in the first half that resulted in a 13-yard catch, certainly not the type of impact you would expect from a four-time All-Pro tight end who historically has had big games against the Steelers.
“They were certainly aware of him and Martellus Bennett,” Brady said.
That all changed, though, in the second half.
And it was enough to change the complexion of the game and dispel any notion the Steelers had of upsetting the Patriots.
Gronkowski beat safety Robert Golden down the middle of the field for a 36-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 20-13 lead, then turned Golden around on a 37yard catch to the Steelers 5 to set up LeGarrette Blount’s second touchdown run on the next play.
Gronkowski had only three catches in the second half, but they totaled 80 yards and produced two touchdowns. Not to mention being the difference in the game.
“They didn’t throw the ball to him in the first half, but he came out in the second half and had two explosive plays,” outside linebacker Jarvis Jones said. “They were huge plays in the second half.”
Gronkowski was targeted only four times against the Steelers, but he caught all four passes for 93 yards. Since Brady returned from his four-game suspension at the start of the season, Gronkowski has come to life, catching 16 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
And he especially comes to life against the Steelers. Eight of his 68 career touchdowns have come in five games against the Steelers.
“He is who he is for a reason,” Golden said. “He does it week in and week out.”
It wasn’t just all about Gronkowski for the Patriots. One week after the Steelers allowed Miami’s Jay Ajayi to rush for 204 yards they let Blount, their former teammate, rip through them for 127 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. The failure to stop the run has been a recurring theme in the three losses this season.
The Steelers have allowed an average of 162.3 yards rushing and four runs longer than 20 yards in losses to Philadelphia, Miami and the Patriots. Equally troubling is the defense has not had a sack and given up six pass plays of 37 yards or longer in those games.
The two long catches by Gronkowski built on a 14-10 halftime lead by the Patriots.
“We came out and gave them two touchdowns on their first two drives,” linebacker James Harrison said. “That’s it right there.”
Actually, the catches came after the defense held the Patriots without a first down on the opening possession and forced a punt. The Steelers then gained 48 yards on seven consecutive running plays to set up a Chris Boswell 46yard field goal to make it 14-13.
But, two plays after Blount ran 25 yards off the left side to the Steelers 39, Gronkowski lined in the slot, ran right down the hash marks and right past Golden for a 36-yard touchdown.
Next series, he turned Golden around in the middle of the field, caught the ball at the 20 and rambled to the Steelers 5 to set up the last touchdown.
“They called the plays and outexecuted us with him,” Golden said. “I’m not sure why they didn’t get him [the ball] in the first half. If that was their game plan, I don’t know what they had in mind. Gronk is who he is and they outexecuted us.”