Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats

The pittsburgh steelers vs new england patriots match player stats from September 21, 2025, tell a much more detailed story than the final 21-14 score alone. Pittsburgh defeated New England in a game shaped by efficient passing, defensive pressure, turnovers, and a sharp contrast in how the two teams protected the football. Aaron Rodgers completed 16 of 23 passes for 139 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception for Pittsburgh, while Drake Maye produced 268 passing yards with two touchdowns and one interception for New England.

The Steelers improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 on the road with the victory, while the Patriots dropped to 1-2 and remained winless at home at 0-2. Although New England generated more passing production and ran the ball more effectively, Pittsburgh’s defense created the decisive difference by forcing four turnovers and recording five sacks.

For anyone examining this matchup through a statistical lens, the most important lesson is that total yardage and passing volume do not automatically translate into victory. Pittsburgh’s ability to turn defensive plays into meaningful advantages ultimately outweighed New England’s larger offensive numbers.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats: Game Overview

The Steelers won 21-14 after controlling the scoreboard in three of the four quarters in which they scored. Pittsburgh opened with seven points in the first quarter, added another seven in the second, went scoreless in the third, and finished with seven more in the fourth.

New England responded with seven points in the second quarter and another seven in the fourth. The Patriots were held scoreless in both the opening and third quarters.

Final Score

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Pittsburgh Steelers	7	7	0	7	21
New England Patriots	0	7	0	7	14

The seven-point margin is important because it shows that the game was competitive despite Pittsburgh’s defensive control. New England was never completely removed from the contest, but the Steelers consistently found ways to prevent the Patriots from converting their offensive opportunities into a winning total.

The supplied box score identifies the game as Game ID 401772732 and lists ESPN UK as the source. The venue was not specified in the supplied data.

Aaron Rodgers vs Drake Maye Passing Comparison

The quarterback numbers provide one of the clearest examples of why box score analysis needs more context than a single statistic.

Aaron Rodgers completed 16 of 23 attempts for 139 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His reported passer rating was 96.1.

Drake Maye completed 28 of 37 attempts for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His reported passer rating was 102.1.

Quarterback	Completions/Attempts	Passing Yards	TD	INT	Rating
Aaron Rodgers	16/23	139	2	1	96.1
Drake Maye	28/37	268	2	1	102.1

At first glance, Maye clearly produced more through the air. He attempted 14 more passes and finished with 129 more passing yards. His completion total was also 12 higher than Rodgers’ figure.

Yet Rodgers’ passing production was more closely connected to the Steelers’ scoring output. Pittsburgh did not need its quarterback to produce 250 or 300 yards because its defense created additional opportunities and its offense converted enough of those chances.

Maye’s 28 completions show that New England was able to move the football through the passing game. The problem was not simply an inability to throw. The bigger issue was that the Patriots lost possession four times through fumbles while Pittsburgh lost none of its four fumbles.

That difference dramatically changed the value of each offensive drive.

Aaron Rodgers’ Efficiency

Rodgers completed approximately 69.6 percent of his attempts.

His 23 attempts were relatively modest compared with Maye’s 37. That suggests Pittsburgh’s offensive approach did not depend on constant passing volume. Rodgers was asked to make important throws without carrying the entire offensive workload.

His two touchdown passes were especially significant because they accounted for two-thirds of Pittsburgh’s three touchdowns.

The interception prevented a completely clean performance, but it did not stop Pittsburgh from winning. In a low-scoring game, however, every turnover carries considerable weight.

Drake Maye’s Production

Maye completed approximately 75.7 percent of his passes and produced 268 yards.

His statistical profile demonstrates that New England was capable of generating sustained passing production. He also contributed 45 rushing yards on seven attempts, giving him 313 combined passing and rushing yards.

That is a substantial individual workload.

However, the Patriots’ offense ultimately had to overcome the impact of four lost fumbles. That is difficult in any NFL game, particularly against a defense that also recorded five sacks.

Rushing Statistics and Ground Game Analysis

The rushing numbers create another interesting contrast.

Pittsburgh’s rushing leader was Jaylen Warren, who carried the ball 18 times for 47 yards. His average was 2.6 yards per carry, and his longest run covered 11 yards.

As a team, Pittsburgh recorded 26 rushing attempts for 64 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. The Steelers scored one rushing touchdown and had a longest run of 13 yards.

New England produced considerably more on the ground.

The Patriots finished with 29 rushing attempts for 119 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Drake Maye led the team with seven carries for 45 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. His longest run was 15 yards.

Rushing Category	Pittsburgh	New England
Team Attempts	26	29
Team Yards	64	119
Average	2.5	4.1
Rushing TDs	1	0
Longest Run	13	15

This is one of the strongest statistical arguments in favor of New England’s offensive performance despite the loss.

The Patriots gained 55 more rushing yards than Pittsburgh and averaged 1.6 more yards per attempt. Maye’s mobility also added another dimension that Pittsburgh had to account for.

Yet New England could not turn that rushing advantage into enough points.

That is a valuable lesson when evaluating pittsburgh steelers vs new england patriots match player stats. The team with the better rushing numbers does not necessarily control the game. Situational efficiency, turnovers, sacks, and scoring opportunities can outweigh raw rushing totals.

Jaylen Warren’s Role in Pittsburgh’s Offense

Warren handled 18 of Pittsburgh’s 26 rushing attempts, meaning he accounted for a significant portion of the Steelers’ ground-game workload.

His 47 rushing yards were not spectacular in terms of efficiency, but his workload mattered. Pittsburgh was able to keep its offense balanced enough to avoid relying exclusively on Rodgers.

The 2.6 yards per carry figure indicates that New England’s defense generally limited the effectiveness of Pittsburgh’s rushing attack. The Steelers were not winning because they consistently broke off explosive runs.

Instead, their offensive success came from combining enough rushing attempts with efficient passing and defensive contributions.

Drake Maye’s Dual-Threat Contribution

Maye’s seven rushing attempts for 45 yards deserve special attention.

A 6.4-yard average demonstrates that his mobility was an important part of New England’s offensive output. His 15-yard longest run also shows that Pittsburgh could not treat him as a stationary pocket passer.

When a quarterback contributes 45 rushing yards while also passing for 268 yards, the defense has to account for two distinct methods of gaining yardage.

That makes the Patriots’ 14-point total somewhat surprising relative to Maye’s individual production.

The explanation lies partly in the turnovers and partly in Pittsburgh’s ability to generate pressure.

Receiving Leaders

The receiving numbers were sharply different between the two teams.

Calvin Austin III led Pittsburgh’s receivers with three receptions for 34 yards. He averaged 11.3 yards per reception and recorded a 17-yard long reception. Most importantly, he scored one touchdown.

For New England, Hunter Henry led the receiving group with eight receptions for 90 yards. He averaged 11.3 yards per reception and had a longest reception of 18 yards. Henry also scored two touchdowns.

Receiver	Receptions	Yards	Average	TD	Long
Calvin Austin III	3	34	11.3	1	17
Hunter Henry	8	90	11.3	2	18

Henry’s performance was one of the strongest individual offensive efforts in the game.

He caught more than twice as many passes as Austin and accumulated 56 more receiving yards. His two touchdowns accounted for all of New England’s receiving scores.

The identical 11.3 yards per reception average is an interesting detail. Despite dramatically different reception and yardage totals, both players averaged the same amount per catch.

Hunter Henry’s Impact

Henry was Maye’s most productive receiving target according to the supplied statistics.

Eight catches for 90 yards represents a consistent role rather than a performance built around one huge play. His 18-yard longest reception indicates that he was productive without needing multiple explosive gains.

Scoring two touchdowns made his production even more valuable.

In many games, a receiver can produce strong yardage numbers without directly affecting the scoreboard. Henry did both.

Calvin Austin III’s Contribution

Austin had a smaller statistical workload but made his opportunities count.

His three receptions produced 34 yards and one touchdown. His 17-yard longest reception also shows that his contribution was not limited to very short completions.

Pittsburgh’s receiving production was distributed around a lower-volume passing attack, with the team recording 16 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Team Passing and Receiving Efficiency

The supplied statistics show an unusual but useful relationship between the passing and receiving totals.

Pittsburgh’s passing and receiving team totals were listed at 16 receptions for 139 yards, with an 8.7-yard average and two touchdowns.

New England recorded 28 receptions for 268 yards, averaging 9.6 yards per reception with two touchdowns.

Passing/Receiving Category	Pittsburgh	New England
Receptions	16	28
Receiving Yards	139	268
Average	8.7	9.6
TDs	2	2
Long	21	23

New England therefore had a clear advantage in volume and total passing production.

The Patriots produced 129 more passing yards and 12 more receptions.

However, both teams recorded two passing touchdowns.

That is a crucial statistical distinction. New England generated much more yardage, but Pittsburgh produced the same number of passing touchdowns.

Defensive Statistics: Where Pittsburgh Separated Itself

The defensive numbers are arguably the most important part of the entire game.

Pittsburgh recorded:

• 84 total tackles
• 48 solo tackles
• 5 sacks
• 6 tackles for loss
• 5 passes defended
• 8 quarterback hits
• 1 interception

New England recorded:

• 51 total tackles
• 31 solo tackles
• 0 sacks
• 6 tackles for loss
• 1 pass defended
• 3 quarterback hits
• 1 interception

Defensive Category	Pittsburgh	New England
Total Tackles	84	51
Solo Tackles	48	31
Sacks	5	0
Tackles for Loss	6	6
Passes Defended	5	1
QB Hits	8	3
Interceptions	1	1

The most obvious difference is sacks.

Pittsburgh recorded five sacks.

New England recorded zero.

That is a major difference in a game decided by seven points.

Sacks do more than subtract passing yards. They can end drives, create difficult down-and-distance situations, disrupt quarterback timing, and increase the likelihood of mistakes.

Pittsburgh also produced eight quarterback hits compared with three from New England.

That means the Steelers were generating significantly more direct pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Turnovers Were the Defining Statistical Story

Perhaps the single most important statistic was not passing yards, rushing yards, or receptions.

It was lost fumbles.

Pittsburgh had four fumbles and lost none.

New England had four fumbles and lost all four.

Turnover Category	Pittsburgh	New England
Fumbles	4	4
Fumbles Lost	0	4
Interceptions Thrown	1	1

Both quarterbacks threw one interception, so interceptions alone were perfectly balanced.

Fumbles were not.

The Patriots turned four fumbles into four possessions for Pittsburgh.

That is an enormous swing in possession value.

This also helps explain why the final score was only 21-14 despite New England producing substantially more passing and rushing yardage.

Turnovers can erase otherwise productive offensive drives. They can also give the opposing offense shorter fields, changing the number of yards required to score.

Pittsburgh’s ability to keep all four of its fumbles while recovering New England’s fumbles was therefore a major component of the victory.

Brandin Echols and Robert Spillane

Each team recorded one interception.

For Pittsburgh, Brandin Echols recorded one interception and returned it for zero yards.

For New England, Robert Spillane recorded one interception and returned it 37 yards.

Spillane’s interception return was therefore the more productive return statistically, but Pittsburgh still had the better overall turnover profile because of the fumble differential.

This is another example of why one defensive statistic should not be isolated from the rest of the box score.

A 37-yard interception return can look impressive, but if the opponent recovers every fumble while your team loses four, the broader turnover picture becomes much more important.

Special Teams Statistics

Special teams played a supporting role in the game.

Kenny Gainwell recorded Pittsburgh’s only listed kickoff return, gaining 27 yards on one return.

New England’s kickoff return group recorded four returns for 94 yards, averaging 23.5 yards per return. TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson were listed in that return production.

Marcus Jones handled New England’s punt return duties, recording one return for 11 yards.

Pittsburgh had no punt returns listed.

Kicking

Chris Boswell converted all three of his extra-point attempts for Pittsburgh.

Andy Borregales converted both of New England’s extra-point attempts.

Kicker	Extra Points	Points
Chris Boswell	3/3	3
Andy Borregales	2/2	2

The teams did not depend on field goals in the supplied statistics. Their scoring came through touchdowns followed by successful extra points.

Punting

Corliss Waitman punted four times for Pittsburgh for 169 total yards.

His average was 42.3 yards per punt, with three punts inside the 20-yard line and a longest punt of 55 yards.

Bryce Baringer punted once for New England for 59 yards, with a touchback and a longest punt of 59 yards.

Punter	Punts	Total Yards	Average	Inside 20	Long
Corliss Waitman	4	169	42.3	3	55
Bryce Baringer	1	59	59.0	0	59

The difference in punt volume also offers insight into game flow. Pittsburgh punted four times, while New England punted only once according to the supplied data.

That does not mean New England automatically controlled field position. The Patriots’ additional offensive possessions were affected by their four lost fumbles.

What the Statistics Say About the Game

The most useful way to interpret this matchup is to separate offensive production from game-winning efficiency.

New England had the stronger statistical output in several major offensive categories:

• More passing yards
• More completions
• More rushing yards
• Better rushing average
• More receiving yards
• More receptions
• Higher passing efficiency by reported passer rating

Yet Pittsburgh won.

Why?

The answer is a combination of defensive pressure, turnover management, and scoring efficiency.

Pittsburgh recorded five sacks compared with zero for New England.

The Steelers forced or benefited from four lost New England fumbles.

Pittsburgh also scored three touchdowns, while New England scored two.

Those differences outweighed the Patriots’ offensive yardage advantage.

Why Yardage Alone Does Not Explain the Result

A common mistake when analyzing NFL box scores is assuming that the team with more yards played the better game.

The statistics here demonstrate why that approach can be misleading.

New England’s passing game generated 268 yards. Pittsburgh’s produced 139.

New England’s rushing attack generated 119 yards. Pittsburgh’s produced 64.

That means New England had the clear advantage in both passing and rushing yardage.

But the Patriots still scored only 14 points.

The missing piece is possession security.

A team can move the ball effectively and still lose if it repeatedly gives the ball away before finishing drives.

That appears to be exactly what happened here.

Four lost fumbles created a substantial disadvantage for New England.

The Importance of Defensive Pressure

Five sacks and eight quarterback hits demonstrate that Pittsburgh’s defense consistently disrupted New England’s passing operation.

Even though Maye completed 28 of 37 attempts, he faced meaningful pressure.

This is important because completion percentage alone does not show how difficult the quarterback’s environment was.

A quarterback can complete a high percentage of passes while still facing pressure that affects the timing, depth, and structure of an offense.

Pittsburgh’s defensive line and pass rush therefore deserve substantial credit for the victory.

A Closer Look at the Patriots’ 14 Points

New England scored seven points in the second quarter and seven in the fourth.

The team failed to score in the first and third quarters.

That uneven distribution suggests Pittsburgh repeatedly managed to create periods where New England’s offensive production did not result in points.

The Patriots eventually scored twice, but they never produced the three touchdowns needed to match Pittsburgh.

Hunter Henry’s two touchdown receptions were particularly important because they represented all of New England’s receiving touchdowns.

The Patriots’ offensive production was therefore not completely ineffective. It simply did not produce enough successful scoring possessions.

A Closer Look at Pittsburgh’s 21 Points

Pittsburgh scored seven points in the first quarter, seven in the second, and seven in the fourth.

That consistency mattered.

The Steelers did not need a huge offensive explosion. Instead, they built a 21-point total through three scoring quarters.

Rodgers’ two touchdown passes and Pittsburgh’s one rushing touchdown accounted for the team’s three touchdowns.

The Steelers also avoided losing any of their four fumbles, helping preserve their scoring opportunities.

Key Statistical Takeaways

Several numbers stand above the rest when reviewing this matchup.

1. Five Pittsburgh sacks

The Steelers generated five sacks while New England produced none.

That was one of the clearest defensive advantages in the game.

2. Four New England fumbles lost

New England lost all four of its recorded fumbles.

That is an extraordinary turnover problem and likely played a major role in the seven-point result.

3. 268 passing yards for Drake Maye

Maye was highly productive through the air.

His 268 yards were 129 more than Rodgers’ total.

4. Two touchdowns for both quarterbacks

Rodgers and Maye each threw two touchdown passes.

This means the biggest quarterback difference was not touchdown production but passing volume, yardage, and the surrounding team performance.

5. 119 rushing yards for New England

The Patriots averaged 4.1 yards per carry compared with Pittsburgh’s 2.5.

New England therefore had a clear advantage on the ground.

6. Hunter Henry’s 90 receiving yards

Henry led all listed receivers with eight catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

His performance was one of New England’s strongest individual contributions.

7. Calvin Austin III’s touchdown

Austin caught three passes for 34 yards and scored one touchdown, giving Pittsburgh an important scoring contribution despite limited volume.

What This Matchup Teaches About NFL Player Stats

Player statistics become much more useful when viewed within the context of team strategy.

Rodgers’ 139 passing yards might look modest in isolation. But Pittsburgh won the game while scoring 21 points and receiving significant help from its defense.

Maye’s 268 passing yards look much more impressive. Yet those yards did not prevent the Patriots from losing.

Warren’s 47 rushing yards were inefficient by average. Still, his 18 carries provided Pittsburgh with a running option that complemented its passing game.

Maye’s 45 rushing yards, meanwhile, were highly efficient and added another source of offensive production.

Henry’s 90 receiving yards were excellent, but New England could not convert enough of its overall production into points.

This is why serious NFL analysis should combine player statistics with turnovers, defensive pressure, scoring distribution, and possession outcomes.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats: Overall Assessment

The pittsburgh steelers vs new england patriots match player stats show a game in which the losing team actually produced more offensive yardage in several important categories.

New England’s 268 passing yards and 119 rushing yards gave the Patriots a strong statistical foundation.

However, Pittsburgh’s defense changed the practical value of those numbers.

Five sacks, eight quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, five passes defended, and four recovered New England fumbles created the type of disruption that raw offensive yardage cannot capture.

Rodgers was not required to throw frequently because Pittsburgh’s defense and turnover advantage reduced the amount of offensive production needed to win.

Maye, by contrast, produced strong individual numbers but was operating in a game where possession security became a major problem.

The final score of 21-14 therefore makes sense when the full box score is considered.

Player-by-Player Statistical Summary

Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers

• 16 completions on 23 attempts
• 139 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 1 interception
• 96.1 passer rating

Jaylen Warren

• 18 rushing attempts
• 47 rushing yards
• 2.6 yards per carry
• 0 rushing touchdowns
• 11-yard longest run

Calvin Austin III

• 3 receptions
• 34 receiving yards
• 11.3 yards per reception
• 1 touchdown
• 17-yard longest reception

Brandin Echols

• 1 interception
• 0 interception return yards
• 0 interception return touchdowns

Chris Boswell

• 3 extra points made on 3 attempts
• 3 points

Corliss Waitman

• 4 punts
• 169 punt yards
• 42.3-yard average
• 3 inside the 20
• 55-yard longest punt

New England Patriots

Drake Maye

• 28 completions on 37 attempts
• 268 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 1 interception
• 102.1 passer rating
• 7 rushing attempts
• 45 rushing yards
• 6.4 rushing average
• 15-yard longest run

Hunter Henry

• 8 receptions
• 90 receiving yards
• 11.3 yards per reception
• 2 touchdowns
• 18-yard longest reception

Robert Spillane

• 1 interception
• 37 interception return yards
• 0 interception return touchdowns

Andy Borregales

• 2 extra points made on 2 attempts
• 2 points

Bryce Baringer

• 1 punt
• 59 punt yards
• 59.0-yard average
• 1 touchback
• 59-yard longest punt

Marcus Jones

• 1 punt return
• 11 punt return yards
• 11.0-yard average
• 11-yard longest return

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between the Steelers and Patriots?

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New England Patriots 21-14 on September 21, 2025.

Who was Pittsburgh’s leading passer?

Aaron Rodgers completed 16 of 23 passes for 139 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His reported passer rating was 96.1.

Who was New England’s leading passer?

Drake Maye completed 28 of 37 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His reported passer rating was 102.1.

Who led the game in receiving?

Hunter Henry led the listed receiving statistics with eight receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

Which team had more rushing yards?

New England had more rushing yards. The Patriots recorded 119 rushing yards on 29 attempts, compared with Pittsburgh’s 64 yards on 26 attempts.

What was the biggest statistical difference in the game?

The biggest difference was turnovers. Pittsburgh recorded four fumbles but lost none, while New England recorded four fumbles and lost all four. Pittsburgh also recorded five sacks compared with zero for New England.

Conclusion

The pittsburgh steelers vs new england patriots match player stats provide a strong example of why an NFL game cannot be judged by offensive yardage alone.

New England’s offense produced more passing and rushing yards, Drake Maye completed 28 passes for 268 yards, and Hunter Henry delivered 90 receiving yards with two touchdowns. The Patriots also averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt.

Pittsburgh’s offense was less productive by yardage, with Rodgers throwing for 139 yards and the Steelers rushing for only 64 yards. Yet the Steelers scored 21 points and won the game.

The decisive statistical factors were defensive pressure and possession security. Pittsburgh recorded five sacks, eight quarterback hits, five passes defended, and one interception. Most importantly, the Steelers lost none of their four fumbles, while New England lost all four.

That combination explains how Pittsburgh could win despite trailing the Patriots in several major offensive categories.

The final 21-14 score reflects a game in which efficiency, defensive disruption, and ball security mattered more than raw yardage totals. For readers studying NFL player performance, this matchup is a useful reminder that the most meaningful statistics are often the ones that explain why a team won, not simply the ones that produce the biggest numbers.