1st half analysis

Analysis from the first half, with the Patriots leading 17-13:

The Steelers have come into Gillette Stadium and answered the bell. We have ourselves a tight ballgame, and credit starts with Pittsburgh hanging tough on the road after falling behind 14-3.

Some teams might have crumbled on the road, but not the Steelers. They have overcome a few mistakes – perhaps none larger than touching a live punt as the Patriots recovered – to hang close.

It was also impressive to see the Steelers stop the Patriots on the opening drive, then march down for a field goal on their own opening drive. For a team playing on the road, that’s a good way to neutralize the crowd.

As for the Patriots, they have been victimized by a few long Steelers drives. If there was one common thread it is the inability to wrap up Ben Roethlisberger when the opportunity presents itself. On Najeh Davenport’s 32-yard touchdown catch, for example, defensive lineman Mike Wright had a chance to wrap Roethlisberger up but could not. There also appeared to be a coverage breakdown in the secondary on the play – perhaps with James Sanders biting up the field.

The Patriots switched to their nickel package on the Steelers’ fourth drive and it will be interesting to watch if the team settles into that grouping, instead of its base 3-4.

Offensively, the Patriots were ignited by the big play. The Steelers had avoided the big play this season, but Moss’ 63-yard catch came when safety Anthony Smith seemed to bite on a play-fake. Early on, the Patriots weren’t afraid to match power with power and Laurence Maroney seemed to give the unit a boost with some hard running.

But overall, the offense hasn’t settled into a flow, having played just 27 snaps (includes one holding call) as the Steelers have won the battle on third down. The Patriots will need to put together at least one sustained march to help the defense.

On special teams, Chad Jackson’s 39-yard kickoff return set up the team’s first score and was a momentum-swinging play at the time.

The Steelers get the ball to open the second half.