Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Pittsburgh Steelers 14 at New England Patriots 30 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Pittsburgh Steelers: Kordell Stewart was pressured all night and did not respond well. The Patriots defense should be given a lot of credit, but it is clear that Stewart needs to get better protection from his line and learn how to handle the heat better or it could be a long season. Jerome Bettis split time with Amos Zereoue, and it isn't clear if he is still feeling the effects of last December's groin injury. Though Cowher indicated that he was back 100% before the start of the game, the split workload is not a good sign. Keep a close eye on this one. Hines Ward didn't show any indications of problems from his surgery, and was more involved in the offense than Plaxico Burress. It was also clear from this game that Antwaan Randle El will stay involved in the Steelers offense in the regular season. New England Patriots: The Patriots played like a team on a mission and looked good in every facet of the game. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis called 25 consecutive pass plays in the second and third quarters, and the Patriots lined up with five receivers and tight ends often. Tom Brady looked very calm and had a quick release on his passes. This passing offense looked every bit as good as the stats indicate. As good as Brady looked, it became apparent that the Patriots have a number of viable receiving options and that they intend to spread the ball around. Troy Brown, David Patten, Donald Hayes, Deion Branch, Cam Cleeland, and Christian Fauria were all very involved in the game plan. It's possible this could affect the WRs consistency and overall production. Antowain Smith was not involved in the Patriots game plan until they had built a big lead. It wasn't that the rushing offense looked bad, it was simply not the focal point in this game. The New England defense looked terrific as a unit and put a lot of pressure on Kordell Stewart throughout the game. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Pittsburgh Steelers QB: Kordell Stewart - In the first offensive series, Stewart was hit on the first pass play of the game and threw an interception on the second pass play. He was picked off on the first play of the next Steelers offensive series to start the game 0-3 with two interceptions. Both picks were bad throws and he looked very nervous. Stewart finally settled down and led the Steelers in an impressive touchdown drive on their third series and looked more comfortable. He looked good scrambling and running the ball, and there were a number of designed running plays in the first half. In the second half, Stewart came under continual pressure and didn't ever really get on track. Stewart's rushing touchdown was in garbage time. Give the Patriots defense a lot of credit for the game, but he could be in for a long season if he doesn't get better protection or learn to handle the pressure better. WR: Plaxico Burress - was not involved in the game plan until the middle of the second quarter when Stewart looked for Burress in the end zone and Burress couldn't get his feet in. Burress was shut down by the Patriots secondary, and wasn't open very much at all. Hines Ward - started the game as expected and received a lot of attention from Stewart. In the mid second quarter, Stewart looked Ward's way in the end zone from the 15-yard line and Ward drew a pass interference call to move the ball to the one-yard line. Ward received more attention from Stewart than Burress and didn't show any effects of his surgery. Antwaan Randle El - It was clear early in the game that Randle El would not become a preseason afterthought. Randle El did not start the game, but was lined up in the slot, in the backfield, and used to return punts throughout the game. He ran a reverse when Hines Ward lined up at quarterback for the Steelers. He looked quick and it appears he'll stay involved and get some numbers. RB: Jerome Bettis - According to ABC's Melissa Stark before the game, Jerome Bettis said it has been "a long long road to recovery" from his December groin injury. Bill Cowher indicated he was the same player he was before the injury and that he was ready to go, but the announcers pointed out before the game even began that it took six months to fully heal from the injury. As the game bore on, it was apparent that the Steelers were going to use Amos Zereoue on offense, so there is some reason for concern here. Bettis was involved throughout the game and in the second half, but was not the only back to get action. Bettis did get the call from the one-yard line in the second quarter until the play was nullified by a questionable false start call. Amos Zereoue - Zereoue came in on the first third down of the game for Pittsburgh. Subsequently, Zereoue came in throughout the game, and split the workload with Bettis. Zereoue looked fine but couldn't get anything going as the Patriot defense was all over him as soon as he got the ball. Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala was in the game on a few plays but was not a major factor in the Steelers offense except when he received a dump pass deep in the red zone. Fuamatu-Ma'afala took a bad personal foul after the play and pushed the Steelers back 15 yards. The Steelers eventually missed the field goal so it isn't likely the foul went over well with Cowher. TE: Mark Bruener - made a number of catches and seemed to be more involved in the Steeler's short pass offense than usual. However, Bruener didn't make any spectacular plays and it wasn't clear from the game if he would be involved in the red zone. K: Todd Peterson - missed a 39-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter. Steelers Pass Defense: The Steelers defense seemed content to allow the short pass plays, and didn't really get much pressure on Brady before his quick releases. They took a bad offside penalty when the Patriots has a 3rd and Goal from the 14 yard line, and followed with a defensive holding call on 3rd and Goal from the nine to give the Patriots an eventual touchdown. Overall, the Steelers didn't get very much pressure on Brady, and the Patriots were able to pick apart the secondary. Pittsburgh Rush Defense: It was difficult to get a handle on the Pittsburgh rush defense in the first half as the Patriots only ran the ball four times. In the second half, the unit was average and allowed Antowain Smith to make some nice runs. Linebacker Kendrell Bell left the game briefly in the first quarter after re-aggregating his ankle sprain, but returned on the next defensive series. It did not prevent him from playing, but you should keep an eye on this to make sure it isn't anything serious. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** New England Patriots QB: Tom Brady - Tom Brady threw an amazing 25 times in the first half, and completed 16 for 109 yards and a touchdown. In contrast to Stewart, Brady seemed calm and collected from the very beginning of the game. For what it's worth, John Madden actually made a comment that Tom Brady's calmness reminded him of Joe Montana. In the second quarter, the Patriots ran the no huddle and lined up with five receivers as offensive coordinator Charlie Weis called 18 consecutive pass plays to end the first half. During this time, most completions were short passes and Brady was not asked to throw downfield. Brady opened up the second half throwing as well, and the Patriots called 25 straight pass plays before they finally ran a run play, including some long balls. Brady was definitely helped by good protection and wide receiver play, but he looked very sharp throughout the game. WR: Troy Brown was involved in a number of short pass patterns and played the role of possession receiver throughout the game. Brown was also involved in returning punts. He made an incredible sideline catch on 3rd and 17 to keep a drive going in the early 3rd quarter. He also drew an early defensive holding call in the first quarter. Overall, Brown looked fine but the Patriots were spreading the ball around quite a bit and the other receivers looked sharp as well. David Patten - Throughout the game, Brady looked for Patten on a number of deep routes and completed a 37-yard gain in the 3rd quarter. There is no question Patten is the deep threat for the Patriots. Patten was also targeted in the end zone on a 3rd and 9 incompletion in the first quarter and a 3rd and goal in the late third quarter. Donald Hayes - Got a look on the first Patriots third down and was the recipient of four Brady completions throughout the game. He made a great side step in the 3rd quarter on his 40-yard touchdown reception and had 30 yards running after the catch on that play. Hayes appears to be another viable option on a team with a lot of options. Deion Branch was involved in both the kick returning game and in the offensive game plan. Branch made a nice third down reception on a slant pattern in the first quarter and didn't look back. His touchdown catch was a simple hitch pattern but he made some great moves to get it in the end zone. Branch also made a great block on Pittsburgh safety Lee Flowers on the Donald Hayes touchdown. RB: Antowain Smith had only four carries in the first half, and was not a major part of the game plan until the Patriots had built a comfortable lead. He had what appeared to be a possible fumble late in the first quarter but the referees blew the whistle so the play could not be reviewed. The good news is that Coach Belichick called his number two plays later when Smith had a 12 yard run called back for holding. Smith owners should hope that the lack of run plays was the specific game plan versus the Steelers and not a sign of things to come for the season. TE: Christian Fauria was wide open on the touchdown on a great play fake by Brady. However, Cam Cleeland seemed to be the primary threat at TE throughout the game. The Patriots even ran a TE screen to Cleeland late in the first quarter. K: Adam Vinatieri picked up right where he left off last season with a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter. Vinatieri finished with three field goals and three extra points, and no doubt has the confidence of his coach from any distance. Patriots Pass Defense: The Patriots defense blitzed early and often to put pressure on Kordell Stewart. This game was a great team effort on defense. If you had to choose a standout, Otis Smith shut down Plaxico Burress all night but overall, this unit looked terrific. Patriots Rush Defense: Got great penetration and the defensive line seemed to win the battle early in the game. Neither Bettis nor Zereoue was able to get much going before they were hit by Patriot defenders. In the second half, Victor Green made a great play to intentionally strip the ball from Bettis and recovered the ball himself.