5 Things from Steelers-Patriots

By: Donny Chedrick

To call it heart-breaking would be an understatement. In a play that will lead to debates and possible rule changes, the Steelers lost their first game since early October, 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on Sunday. The loss gives New England the track to the number one seed in the AFC with two weeks to play in the regular season. The Steelers play at Houston on Christmas Day and host Cleveland in the final week. Because of Sunday's loss, Pittsburgh has to root for Buffalo and Miami in the last two weeks against New England. A loss by the Pats in either game and two wins from the Steelers would give Pittsburgh the number one seed. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a look at five things from the Steelers loss against New England.

1. "Surviving the Ground"

Photo creds to www.theathletic.com

 This was the terminology used by referee Tony Corrente Sunday evening after Steelers tight end Jesse James came to the ground with what the whole world thought was the game-winning touchdown with roughly 30 seconds left. Corrente used this phrase because James lost possession of the football after crossing the goal line and hitting the ground. Although there are similar examples like Dez Bryant and Calvin Johnson, who had big plays taken away for not maintaining control, there are also examples of guys losing control, but being awarded the score, like Patriots' wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Wait, the Patriots had this call go their way earlier this season and then again on Sunday? Interesting. Debates have been going on for days, and people are calling for the league to change the horrible rule, so that may be the justice, but in this case, the Steelers lost the game because Jesse James didn't "survive the ground."

2. Unstoppable Gronk

Photo creds to The Denver Post 

Rob Gronkowski showed his worth Sunday. He was the unstoppable force for New England that proved to be the real difference. Gronk hauled in nine receptions for 168 yards and he owned Sean Davis for roughly three hours. It's hard to knock Davis because Gronkowski is a mismatch for pretty much every defender in the league, but Gronk put on a show Sunday afternoon. If and likely when the Steelers meet the Patriots again this season with the year on the line, Gronk has to be addressed and neutralized better than what he was in this game, or else he could end the Steelers' season by himself.

3. The Pats, yet again, avoid a Killer Bee

Photo creds to SB Nation

It seems that every time in recent memory that the Steelers and Patriots have played each other, the Pats have somehow avoided at least one member of the "Killer Bees" in some capacity. In the past, it's been an injured or suspended Le'Veon Bell or an injured Ben Roethlisberger. Sunday, it was an injured Antonio Brown. Brown was on his way to possibly becoming the first wide receiver in NFL history to become the league's Most Valuable Player before he suffered a calf injury in the first half of Sunday's game. It isn't a certainty that Brown would have made a difference in the outcome, but it is hard to argue that he wouldn't have. To this point, the Patriots have never had to play the Steelers while the "Killer Bees" were in full effect.

4. Breakout for Bryant

Photo creds to Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

A week after having mighty struggles against Baltimore, Martavis Bryant rose to the occasion against New England. With AB out Bryant made several high-impact plays that added to his best performance of the season. It wasn't his highest yardage total of 2017, but the catches he made were outstanding. An all-out diving catch on a critical third down play to keep the Steelers drive alive, a one-handed touchdown grab with his left arm held back, and two others helped him he notch 59 yards on four receptions. His numbers didn't blow anyone away, but his impact was felt.

5. The Fake Spike 

Photo creds to Patriots.com

The play that ultimately proved to be the most costly was the final offensive snap for the Steelers. In what seemed to be a chaotic moment, Pittsburgh rushed to the line with the majority of the offense believing Ben Roethlisberger was going to clock the football to set up a chip-shot field goal for Chris Boswell. However, only Ben and wide receiver Eli Rogers realized the call for the fake spike was on, and a dangerous pass across the middle led to an interception and Patriot win. After the game, it seemed that the blame was being tossed around from Ben to offensive coordinator, Todd Haley until Ben eventually took responsibility and admitted that he should have just spiked the football. Hopefully, no turmoil comes of this in the locker room, but this is not the first time that Roethlisberger and Haley have had visible differences.