New England Patriots: Takeaways from Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The good, the bad, and the ugly for the New England Patriots from Week 15 in Pittsburgh.

The New England Patriots clinched their ninth-straight AFC East title Sunday, edging the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24.

New England posted 11 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh nearly regained the lead on a controversial incomplete pass, and Duron Harmon sealed the win with an end zone interception.

Needless to say, the long-awaited AFC grudge match was well worth the hype.

Despite improving to 11-3 on the season, the Patriots were not spotless in their return atop the conference. We’ll decipher the good, the bad, and the ugly in our three takeaways from Week 15.

Run defense continues to struggle

The Patriots’ defense allowed over a hundred rushing yards for the third week in a row along with a second rushing touchdown in two weeks.

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. On Pittsburgh’s first second-half drive, Bell paired gains of 18 yards and 15 yards to move the Steelers from their own 25-yard line to New England’s 42.

Fortunately for the Patriots, Pittsburgh was forced to punt, but chunk plays like those will tire a defense out quickly and flip field position in the blink of an eye.

Much of New England’s struggles against the run can be rooted back to the absence of top linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who missed his second game in a row due to a calf injury.

The Patriots’ top priority heading into Week 16 should be getting their defense back to full health and finding ways to limit their opponents’ rushing attack.

Third down woes remain

New England finished their Week 14 loss to the Dolphins 0-of-11 on third down. Against the Steelers, they went 3-of-9.

As of Week 15, the Patriots ranked 10th in the league in third-down conversions, completing 42 percent.

Third down is one department where the Patriots have really struggled without wide receiver Julian Edelman. According to Pro Football Reference, Edelman hauled in 28 receptions on third down last season, converting 25 of them for first downs.

This season, with Edelman out for the year, Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola have combined for 51 third-down targets, converting for a combined 30 first downs.

New England will need to become more dynamic on third down going forward. They’ve relied on throwing the ball to pick up first downs and it hasn’t always paid off. Of Tom Brady’s seven interceptions this season, five have come on third down.

Rather than throwing on 3rd & 2, like they did on Brady’s interception, New England should give the ball to their short-yardage running back. Instead, they decide to throw and it’s intercepted.

If the Patriots can re-establish their short-yardage run game, they can utilize their backs in third-and-short situations instead of opting to pass.

Gronk’s back!

Gronkowski reached a thousand receiving yards for the fourth time in his career Sunday, posting a career-high 168 yards on nine grabs and a two-point conversion in his return from a one-game suspension.

The Patriots’ star tight end earned 99.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, just over a year since suffering a season-ending back injury.

Of Gronkowski’s nine receptions, eight were for over 10 yards, including four for over 20.

Though he didn’t score a touchdown, Gronkowski still managed to make it on the score sheet with a leaping two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

Despite missing two games, Gronk leads all tight ends with 1,017 receiving yards and is tied with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce with seven touchdown catches. He is also New England’s leading receiver with 64 completions.

Next: Patriots Week 15 team grades vs Steelers

Up Next

The Patriots return home next Sunday to host the 8-6 Bills. Buffalo has won each of their last two games since falling to New England in Week 13.