Steelers struggle in loss to Patriots without Brown, Bell

The Steelers’ post-Antonio Brown era is off to a bad start. Pittsburgh struggled to generate offense in a 33-3 loss at New England on Sunday night in its first game since parting with the four-time All-Pro wide receiver. Without Brown to throw to, Ben Roethlisberger finished 27 of 47 for 276 yards and an interception.

This time, unlike last season when he publicly criticized Brown’s performance after a Week 12 loss at Denver, the Steelers QB shouldered the blame. “I wasn’t good enough,” Roethlisberger said. “Wasn’t giving guys the balls where they needed to catch ’em.”

The disgruntled Brown was traded to Oakland last March and signed a three-year extension with the Raiders. He requested and was granted his release by Oakland on Saturday after a tumultuous offseason and training camp. A few hours later he was headed to the Patriots, the Steelers’ top AFC rival.

“My professional reaction is I really don’t have one,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin told NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast before the game. “We’ve been emotionally detached from him for some time now.”

Brown wasn’t the only loss to leave a void. Two-time All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell held out all of last season over a contract dispute and signed with the Jets in the offseason. His replacement, James Conner, had 21 yards on 10 carries and the Steelers managed only 32 rushing yards. Bell rushed for 60 yards and a TD for the Jets vs. Buffalo on Sunday.

“No need to sugarcoat it — man, we weren’t ready for prime time,” Tomlin said.