First Half Thoughts From the Steelers Trailing the Patriots 14-10 at Heinz Field

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The way the first half looked, the Steelers appear to be lucky only down 14-10, as they trail the Patriots after being down early 14-0. Landry Jones settled into a nice groove late in the half, a14nd it looks like the game could come down to the wire if the Steelers can continue to play tough D in the second half.

Here’s some first half thoughts on what the Steelers have been able to and not able to do against the Patriots.

* Jones is doing the job, overcoming an early first quarter interception that could have been a huge lift after the Steelers got a turnover that could have given him an early lead. The backup to Big Ben is 14-for-20 for 179 yards with a TD and pick, and while he had some ugly moments, overall he’s put the team in a position to have the lead or at least a tie, but a flag on what would have been the tying TD was called back. He needs a duplicate effort in the second half.

* The D held Pats TE’s Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett to just one catch, and have done a nice job against them. The D needs to do the same in the second half, and while other Pats pass catchers have done the job, holding those two in check has been a key reason New England’s offense went from unstoppable to just average after scoring the first 14 points of the game.

* Having some pressure on Brady has been a monster key as to why he started and looked like he wouldn’t miss a pass, to just throwing 13-for-18 for 123 yards with a TD and no picks. If the Steelers can find a way to pressure him and get a sack or two, that would be great. He’s been able to escape pressure and even run for a couple of first downs which was ugly to say the least, but at the same time, if Brady is running, he’s not throwing downfield, which means the secondary is doing a good job. The Steelers do need to find a way to stop Julian Edelman who has seven grabs.