Pittsburgh’s high-ranked defense really made things happen on Sunday, leading the Steelers to a 33-10 win on a cold and rainy day, just their second victory in eight games against the Patriots. The Steelers outscored the Patriots 23-0 in the second half when they had all five of their takeaways and four of their five sacks and gave up 81 yards. The Patriots beat the Steelers in two AFC championship games en route to two of their three Super Bowl titles in the past ten years and dominated them 34-13 in Foxborough last season.
“The weather didn’t matter,” New England’s Kevin Faulk said. “The turnovers were frustrating. You can’t do that and win in this league.” Pittsburgh hasn’t allowed more than 290 yards in any game this season and held New England to one conversion on 13 third-down plays.
The winning streak of the New England Patriots was ended with a brutal domination by the lowly Miami Dolphins. Ronnie Brown scored a team-record four touchdowns rushing and threw for another — with four of the scores coming on direct snaps to the running back — as Miami destroyed New England 38-13 Sunday. The loss ended the Patriots’ NFL mark of 21 straight regular season wins that began after a 21-0 loss to the Dolphins on Dec. 10, 2006, in which Tom Brady, who’s now out for the season with a knee injury, was sacked four times.
It also ended New England’s chance for a second straight unbeaten regular season.
The Dolphins, who lost their first 13 games last year and finished 1-15, won for just the second time in 22 games. It was the first victory for Miami’s new coach Tony Sparano, and it was an incredible win. The Pats didn’t have Tom Brady to lead them as he’s done 28 times in the fourth quarter. They had to count on Matt Cassel and an offense missing running back Laurence Maroney to a shoulder injury, which was simple not enough. many Patriots fans were booing their team and some left early.
