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)
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Tom Brady and LeGarrette Blount were too much for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger or no Ben Roethlisberger.
Blount ran for 127 yards and two scores while Brady completed 19 of 26 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots pulled away for a 27-16 win on Sunday.
Steelers quarterback Landry Jones played capably while filling in for Roethlisberger, who watched from the sideline after undergoing left knee surgery last week.
Making just his third career start, Jones threw for 281 yards with a touchdown and an interception but undermanned Pittsburgh (4-3) lost its second straight when its defense failed to keep Brady under wraps.
New England (6-1) remained perfect since Brady returned from his four-game "Deflategate" suspension, emphatically responding to a push by the Steelers with a pair of second-half touchdowns. Brady connected with Rob Gronkowski for a 36-yard touchdown in the third quarter then used another 37-yard catch and run by Gronkowski to set up Blount's second touchdown run that put New England up 11 with just under 12 minutes to go.
Brady improved to 9-2 against the Steelers, throwing for 26 touchdowns and three interceptions. Most of those came against far more intimidating versions of a Steelers defense than the one he faced Sunday.
Pittsburgh came in hurting with Roethlisberger and defensive end Cam Heyward both out. The Steelers pushed the Patriots at times behind Jones, running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown. Bell finished with 149 yards of total offense and Brown caught seven passes for 106 yards, but too often Pittsburgh settled for field goals (or field goal attempts) when touchdowns were required.
Mistakes that could hardly be blamed on Jones didn't help. A second-quarter touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey was called back because of a holding call, one of 10 flags against the Steelers. Pittsburgh fell to 11-10 in games not started by Roethlisberger since 2004.
Blount, facing Pittsburgh for the first time since the Steelers cut him when he walked off the field with the clock still running in November 2014, hurt the Steelers after halftime. He ran for 74 yards following the break, including consecutive runs of 11 and 25 yards that set up Gronkowski's eighth touchdown in five games against the Steelers.
FLEET FEET
The 39-year-old quarterback who once ran the 40-yard dash at the combine in a not-so fleet 5.28 seconds can still run away from the bad guys. Brady ran for three first downs in the first half, mashing his way on a quarterback sneak and twice escaping pressure and outrunning defenders a decade or more younger for the necessary yardage.
NOT-SO RELIABLE
New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a regular season extra point during his rookie year in 2006 and then didn't miss another one until last week against Cincinnati, an NFL record streak of 479 attempts between misfires (though there was that costly missed kick in last year's AFC championship game). Gostkowski didn't have to wait nearly as long until watching a second one go astray. Gostkowski misfired on a third-quarter extra point that kept the Steelers within seven.
Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell had his issues. He sent a 42-yarder in the second quarter wide right and missed a 54-yarder with the Steelers down two scores in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Patriots: visit Buffalo next Sunday. The Bills beat the Brady-less Patriots 16-0 in New England on Oct. 2.
Steelers: off next week then visit AFC North rival Baltimore on Nov. 6.
