Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots dropped their Week 3 contest to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-14 on Sunday.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.
TE Hunter Henry: The veteran tight end had twice as many targets (11), catches (9), and receiving yards (90) than any other Patriots pass catcher on Sunday. He was also the only one to find the end zone as Henry hauled in a pair of touchdowns, including a fourth down conversion to tie the game. Henry, who continues to be one of Maye’s most consistent and reliable targets, also did so after returning from a left leg injury he suffered earlier in the contest.
ED Harold Landry III: In a similar fashion to Tua Tagovailoa last week, Aaron Rodgers was getting the ball out fast on Sunday with an average time to throw under 2.5 seconds. That made it difficult for New England’s defensive front to make a major impact, but pass rusher Harold Landry showed up with a quarterback hit, forced fumble, and tackle for loss on a screen.
LB Robert Spillane: It was a more consistent day in the office for linebacker Robert Spillane. While he had one miss in space on Jaylen Warren, Spillane was better as a tackler and ended with 15 total tackles. The veteran linebacker was also in the right place at the right time when he intercepted a pass off Rodgers and returned it 37 yards to start the second half.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson and RB Antonio Gibson: After fumbling the football seven times last season, running back Rhamondre Stevenson put the ball on the ground twice on Sunday — with one coming in the end zone as he looked for the game-tying touchdown near the goal line. With known fumbling issues, defenses have started attacking the football when it’s in Stevenson’s hands.
“We identify opportunities, and certainly he had some fumble issues last year. So, it was an agenda item for us,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said.
Stevenson wasn’t alone, however, as Antonio Gibson then lost a fumble in the second half. The veteran’s ball security issues opened the door for TreVeyon Henderson to dominate the snaps to conclude the game. But, the rookie also allowed an early pressure in pass protection and managed just 2.5 yards per carry. New England needs Stevenson and Gibson’s skillset as Henderson continues to adjust to the pro game, but the fumbles can not happen.
WR DeMario Douglas: Douglas’ saw an increase in playing time after logging just 15 snaps last week in Miami, but the slot receiver remained largely quiet hauling in just two-of-five targets for seven yards. Douglas then went backwards on the final fourth down attempt near the line to gain, which drew comments from both Vrabel and Maye post game about getting downhill quicker. Through three games, Douglas has totaled just five catches for 13 yards and a score.
Offensive line: While Pittsburgh did dial up the pressure,...
