PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Two straight games with one offensive touchdown. That's not going to win you many games, but there were other areas Mike Tomlin didn't like after a 17-14 loss to New England.
Special Teams
New England was a plus 85 on kickoff return yards. Plus 85! That wasn't the biggest mistake, former Patriots returner Gunner Olszewski muffed a punt in the third quarter leading to the game-winning touchdown.
"Obviously, when we didn't handle the punt, that was a significant play," Tomlin said with emphasis on significant. It's the first time Olszewski fumbled one all season including training camp. The four-year veteran was available after fumbling three times last year and the Patriots no longer wanted him.
"I got to catch it," Olszewski said. "I didn't get under it in time. It's on me. I didn't catch it. There's no excuses."
"It doesn't feel good losing, especially to them."
Third downs
While the Steelers improved drastically converting 8 of 15 third downs, they allowed 9 of 17 for New England including a pair on the final drive where the Patriots were able to run out the clock.
"That was kind of the key to this game, and we've just got to do that better next game and from here on out," said Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith. "Third and ten against our defense is a lot harder than third and three. We've just got to sit down on the run and just really be better on first and second down as a whole so we can get them in those long distances."
No excuse
On the Patriots first touchdown, it appeared Steelers corner Ahkello Witherspoon had great coverage of Nelson Agholor. However, Agholor was able to go up over Witherspoon and not only catch the ball, but keep his feet and walk into the end zone.
"Just went to cradle the ball instead of high-pointing it and he went to high-point it and won," Witherspoon explained. "The smaller receiver, I wasn't worried about him elevating and he did."
Mike Tomlin asked what he could do better.
"Play the ball above eye level," Tomlin said. "He's a big guy. Got to play the ball above eye level."
Agholor finished with six catches on six targets for 110 yards.
Bullet points
· Steelers dropped to 51-36-3 in home openers and 11-5 under Mike Tomlin
· Steelers have intercepted a pass in 23 games since 2020, tied for most in the league
· Minkah Fitzpatrick's 13 interceptions are tied for fifth-most in the NFL since 2019
· Fitzpatrick's 18 takeaways since the start of 2019 are the second-most in the NFL
· Steelers have lost 7 of the last 8 against New England
Inactives
QB-Mason Rudolph
G-Kendrick Green (even with Mason Cole nursing an ankle injury)
WR-Steven Sims
DL-Isaiahh Loudermilk
LB-Mark Robinson
OLB-David Anenih
