PITTSBURGH – When a player the caliber of Ben Roethlisberger is unable to play, it is big news. When such a player is ruled out at the start of the week, it inevitably becomes the dominant story.
Many analysts interpreted Roethlisberger's absence as a guaranteed, easy victory for the Patriots, whose devastating offense would be no match for Pittsburgh's near-the-bottom-of-the-league-statistically defense.
A story line that was given less attention was New England's defense. That unit has shined at times this season, but the Patriots' 5-1 record entering Sunday overshadowed the fact that coordinator Matt Patricia's troops have been horribly inconsistent in 2016. Which meant, even minus Roethlisberger, the Steelers had a pair of potent playmakers in wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell that could make life difficult for the Patriots.
"I didn't want to give him anything," Butler said afterward of Brown, who topped the century mark in yards receiving against New England, "but I realized there's no way you can stop him. I just felt like I did a great job competing. Great players are going to make great plays. Got to be able to match the intensity. I'm just glad to get the win."
Early on, it was clear that Tom Brady and the New England offense were superior, yet if the Patriots were to fulfill expectations and roll roughshod over the Steelers at Heinz Field, New England's D would have to hold up its end of the bargain.
Results looked positive in the first quarter after Malcolm Butler's interception in the end zone on a pass intended for Brown. But inconsistency reared its ugly head once again after the Patriots jumped out to a 14-0 lead. A couple of big pass plays on the following Steelers possession resulted in a touchdown, then a foolish unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of linebacker/co-captain Dont'a Hightower gave Pittsburgh life on offense. That, and an anemic Patriots pass rush that allowed Steeler backup Landry Jones to sit comfortably in the pocket and find open receivers.
The New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season game at Heinz Field on Sunday, October 23, 2016.
The sunshines on Heinz Field before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks on the field before warm ups for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench before warm ups for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) walk to the field before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II, right, visits with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks onto the field before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes the field for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) who forces a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Xavier Grimble (85) is tackled by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is upended by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) slides a the end of a run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) lines up against New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is upended by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, right, and New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) are broken up by an official during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is gang tackled by New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks onto the field after a timeout during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) is upended by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) takes a pass from quarterback Tom Brady behind Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Robert Golden (21) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, holds teammate Danny Amendola as they celebrate his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets into the end zone for a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets into the end zone for a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, holds teammate Danny Amendola as they celebrate his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) heads to the locker room after a 27-16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (3) on the field after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Patriots won 27-16. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Patriots won 27-16. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Patriots won 27-16. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. New England won 27-16.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski talks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. New England won 27-16.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. New England won 27-16.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
"We knew coming in that it was going to be a loud environment. They play really well at home," wide receiver Chris Hogan pointed out. "I'm proud of this team and the way we played today. LeGarrette [Blount] and the offensive line were able to run the ball really well today. We kind of stressed that throughout the week and we were able to do that really well throughout the game."
New England should have had more possession, and possibly more points, in the first half were it not for dropped passes by Brandon Bolden and Julian Edelman on third downs that forced the Patriots to punt. New England's halftime lead was a tenuous four points (14-10).
Brady and the Patriots stubbed their collective toe coming out of halftime – a pair of Nate Solder holding penalties thwarted their opening drive – but righted itself on the next series when Brady hit tight end Rob Gronkowski on a third-down touchdown throw.
"We had a couple of turnovers that we're going to hear about," wide receiver Julian Edelman acknowledged. "Anytime you turn the ball over on the road at a place like this, you put yourself in a tough situation, but we were able to overcome it."
On the other side of the ball, New England's defense allowed Pittsburgh to gain yards and chip away at the scoreboard, but thanks in part to some aggressive, heads-up play by safety Patrick Chung, the unit began to regain its confidence.
"One guy makes a play, next time another guy makes a play, and that's how you keep that going," safety/co-captain Devin McCourty explained. "That's what we keep preaching – one-on-one matchups, guys making plays on third down in the red zone – that if we keep doing that, we'll be all right. Once in a while, guys are going to make great catches or a great throw, and you have to live with that. Those guys are in the NFL, too. But if we're consistent in our coverage, we'll make enough plays to do well."
Still, the Steelers wouldn't quit. Down 11 with about 10 minutes to go, they punted, but forced Edelman to fumble during his return. The Patriots' defense held and Pittsburgh missed a long field goal.
It wasn't as easy as most people predicted it would be. In the final analysis, even with Roethlisberger, the Steelers might not have been able to do much better than they did Sunday evening.
"They've got a great team. It was hard to win," left tackle Nate Solder remarked later. "We didn't do everything we wanted to do, but we're going to continue to improve and we're glad we got this win against a good team."
Neither the offense, the defense, nor the special teams was perfect, but the Patriots were just good enough to get the job done with an important road victory in a tough venue against an underrated opponent.
"We're developing a mentally tough team," added Edelman. "It's still very early in the season, so, we've just got to continue to improve. It's always good to get a win on the road."
With the Patriots next heading to Buffalo, who lost today, New England holds a commanding lead in the AFC East and is in a comfortable spot, record-wise at 6-1, nearing the midpoint of the season.
