Patriots vs. Steelers: Hunter Henry touchdown cuts lead to 14-7

The New England Patriots have not won two straight games since November 2022. While head coach Mike Vrabel is not concerned about the past, it’s a streak his team will look to break as the Pittsburgh Steelers come to Foxboro on Sunday.

“There’s a lot of stats here, guys, that I’m not familiar with, nor am I concerned with,“ Vrabel said Wednesday. ”The focus is trying to build some consistency, which would then lead to confidence, and continue to build on what we did, improve the things that we have to fix and then continue to eliminate some of the things that we feel like could get you beat.“

Follow along down below on Sunday live from Gillette Stadium.

Live score: Patriots 7 : 14 Steelers

Sunday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m. ET | Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA | Broadcast information | Inactives | Game day roster

First Quarter

The Patriots elected to receive to kick things off on Sunday with Drake Maye and the offense. Appearing to go three-and-out, an illegal contact penalty gifted them a fresh set of down. They were not able to capitalize, however, as the ensuing handoff resulted in a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson that Pittsburgh recovered.

Aaron Rodgers’ first drive of the day started at their own 46-yard line after the fumble. The Steelers needed just three plays — including back-to-back touches to Jaylen Warren for 20 total yards — to move into the red zone. Set up with a third-and-goal, Alex Austin was flagged for a pass interference to put the ball at the one, where a flip to Kenneth Gainwell resulted in a score. [Patriots 0 : 7 Steelers]

New England’s next drive saw them pick up an initial first-down behind an Antonio Gibson conversion from the offset fullback position. Facing the next third-down, pressure continued to affect Maye as the quarterback was brought down for a sack.

Second Quarter

Backed up at their own 10-yard line following a holding call on the punt and continued to go backwards on a tackle for loss by rookie Joshua Farmer. On third-down, New England’s coverage held string which resulted in a Milton Williams strip sack on Aaron Rodgers, but a holding call on Alex Austin netted Pittsburgh a fresh set of downs. Another penalty on Marcus Jones and run by Gainwell moved Pittsburgh just shy of midfield. Facing a third-and-10, a dart over the middle from Rodgers found Jonnu Smith for 21 yards. Eventually moving inside the red zone, Rodgers lofted a 12-yard touchdown pass to D.K. Metcalf who hauled it in along the sideline over Carlton Davis. [Patriots 0 : 14 Steelers]

Down two scores, New England’s drive got on the move on a 16-yard scramble from Maye off a bootleg. Across midfield, Maye found Stefon Diggs for an 11-yard gain before a third-down downfield shot to Kayshon Boutte resulted in a defensive pass interference penalty. Set up at the Steelers five-yard line, a play-action pass to Hunter Henry found the end zone. [Patriots 7 : 14 Steelers]