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The Foxboro Beacon

Sun, Sep 20 · Gillette Stadium

Win
NE logo20–3PIT logo

vs. PIT

The Take

The Patriots absolutely suffocated Pittsburgh on Sunday, limiting the Steelers to a field goal in a 20-3 domination at Gillette—and this defensive performance might just be the signature win of the season so far. Our defense posted a -0.36 EPA per play allowed, the third-best mark by any team in 2026, and held Pittsburgh scoreless in the end zone while forcing them to convert just 17% of their third downs; that's the kind of suffocating football that wins you division games. Offensively we weren't lighting it up—negative EPA per play, below-average third-down conversion, and we punched in a touchdown on only one of three red-zone trips—but honestly, when your defense is playing like that, you don't need much. Romeo Doubs was our catalyst through the air, adding 14% win probability on his own, and the whole operation was simply the kind of controlled, professional win you dream about. This is the first time we've beaten Pittsburgh since 2023, and with only 3 points allowed—our best defensive output since Week 10 of last season—this one's going to feel good for a while.

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What Stood Out

  1. The 6th-best defensive game by any team this season: -0.36 EPA per play allowed.

    Compared against all 214 team-games this season.

  2. The first win over PIT since 2023.

    Compared against every Patriots game against PIT since 1999 (16 games).

  3. 3 points allowed, the fewest since Week 10, 2024.

    Compared against every Patriots regular-season game since 1999 (444 games).

Win Probability

Advanced Stats

Offensive EPA/play
-0.07
Defensive EPA/play
-0.36
Success Rate (off/def)
41% / 37%

Share of plays that improved the offense's chances of scoring. League average this season: 44%.

Turnover Margin
0

EPA is from New England's side: positive helped New England. Play text is the NFL's own.

New England turnovers (2)

  1. Q1 11:32 · 1st & 10 at PIT 34EPA -4.16Fumble lost

    10-D.Maye pass short left to 38-R.Stevenson to PIT 31 for 3 yards (51-N.Herbig). FUMBLES (51-N.Herbig), RECOVERED by PIT-41-P.Wilson at PIT 31. PENALTY on PIT-5-J.Ramsey, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced at PIT 31.

  2. Q3 12:59 · 1st & 10 at PIT 33EPA -4.12Interception

    10-D.Maye pass deep left intended for 85-H.Henry INTERCEPTED by 6-P.Queen at PIT 10. 6-P.Queen to PIT 13 for 3 yards (85-H.Henry).

Takeaways (2)

  1. Q4 13:46 · 2nd & 21 at PIT 30EPA +7.38Fumble lost

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers sacked at PIT 21 for -9 yards (90-C.Barmore). FUMBLES (90-C.Barmore) [90-C.Barmore], RECOVERED by NE-91-E.Ponder at PIT 19. 91-E.Ponder for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. Q4 5:16 · 2nd & Goal at NE 17EPA +4.76Interception

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short right intended for 17-G.Bernard INTERCEPTED by 50-G.Jacas (22-C.Woods) at NE 21. 50-G.Jacas to NE 32 for 11 yards (8-A.Rodgers).

Explosive Play Rate (for/against)
16% / 7%

EPA is from New England's side: positive helped New England. Play text is the NFL's own.

New England explosive plays (8) — runs of 10+ and passes of 15+ yards

  1. Q1 12:02 · 1st & 10 at NE 37EPA +1.6729 yds

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep left to 85-H.Henry pushed ob at PIT 34 for 29 yards (5-J.Ramsey; 3-J.Brisker).

  2. Q1 8:29 · 1st & 10 at PIT 39EPA +3.3239 yds

    (Shotgun) 32-T.Henderson left guard for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. Q1 1:51 · 2nd & 4 at PIT 36EPA +2.1730 yds

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep left to 82-E.Raridon to PIT 6 for 30 yards (41-P.Wilson) [97-C.Heyward]. ** Injury Update: PIT-3-J.Brisker has returned to the game. Penalty on PIT-41-P.Wilson, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.

  4. Q2 1:35 · 3rd & 20 at NE 10EPA +0.0910 yds

    32-T.Henderson right tackle to NE 20 for 10 yards (20-R.Jenkins; 35-J.Dean).

  5. Q3 13:43 · 3rd & 5 at NE 38EPA +2.9929 yds

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep right to 87-R.Doubs to PIT 33 for 29 yards (22-A.Samuel).

  6. Q3 6:39 · 1st & 10 at NE 40EPA +1.4924 yds

    38-R.Stevenson up the middle to PIT 36 for 24 yards (22-A.Samuel).

  7. Q3 2:12 · 1st & 10 at NE 8EPA +4.0063 yds

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep right to 87-R.Doubs pushed ob at PIT 29 for 63 yards (20-R.Jenkins).

  8. Q4 11:24 · 2nd & 12 at NE 38EPA +1.5113 yds

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye scrambles up the middle to PIT 49 for 13 yards (20-R.Jenkins).

PIT explosive plays (5) — runs of 10+ and passes of 15+ yards

  1. Q2 10:46 · 3rd & 8 at PIT 43EPA -2.3519 yds

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 17-G.Bernard to NE 38 for 19 yards (53-C.Elliss).

  2. Q2 4:59 · 2nd & 10 at PIT 28EPA -1.4614 yds

    (Shotgun) 21-T.Homer right tackle to PIT 42 for 14 yards (4-C.Woodson).

  3. Q4 9:31 · 2nd & 1 at PIT 17EPA -0.4710 yds

    (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-J.Warren right end to PIT 27 for 10 yards (14-R.Spillane; 31-K.Byard).

  4. Q4 8:03 · 2nd & 10 at PIT 40EPA -1.4316 yds

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 4-D.Metcalf to NE 44 for 16 yards (31-K.Byard).

  5. Q4 6:24 · 1st & 10 at NE 30EPA -2.0426 yds

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 30-J.Warren to NE 4 for 26 yards (22-C.Woods).

Red Zone (off/def)
1/3 · 0/1

EPA is from New England's side: positive helped New England. Play text is the NFL's own.

New England red-zone trip 1 of 3 · Touchdown

None.

New England red-zone trip 2 of 3 · Field goal

  1. Q1 1:24 · 1st & Goal at PIT 6EPA -0.89

    PENALTY on NE-76-M.Moses, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 6 - No Play.

  2. Q1 1:08 · 1st & Goal at PIT 11EPA -0.70

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye sacked at PIT 14 for -3 yards (sack split by 99-D.Harmon and 90-T.Watt). NE-71-M.Onwenu was injured during the play.

  3. Q1 0:42 · 2nd & Goal at PIT 14EPA -0.24

    10-D.Maye pass short right to 85-H.Henry to PIT 10 for 4 yards (56-A.Highsmith; 99-D.Harmon).

  4. Q2 15:00 · 3rd & Goal at PIT 10EPA -1.12

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye sacked at PIT 12 for -2 yards (56-A.Highsmith).

  5. Q2 14:18 · 4th & Goal at PIT 12EPA +0.17

    8-A.Borregales 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ashby, Holder-19-M.Wishnowsky.

New England red-zone trip 3 of 3 · Defensive touchdown

None.

PIT red-zone trip 1 of 1 · Turnover

  1. Q4 5:46 · 1st & Goal at NE 4EPA +2.27

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers sacked at NE 17 for -13 yards (91-E.Ponder). Penalty on PIT-76-T.Fautanu, Offensive Holding, declined.

  2. Q4 5:16 · 2nd & Goal at NE 17EPA +4.76

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short right intended for 17-G.Bernard INTERCEPTED by 50-G.Jacas (22-C.Woods) at NE 21. 50-G.Jacas to NE 32 for 11 yards (8-A.Rodgers).

3rd Down (off/def)
4/12 · 2/12

EPA is from New England's side: positive helped New England. Play text is the NFL's own.

New England on third down — 4 of 12 converted

  1. Q1 9:11 · 3rd & 1 at PIT 40EPA +0.54Converted

    32-T.Henderson up the middle to PIT 39 for 1 yard (90-T.Watt).

  2. Q1 3:03 · 3rd & 1 at PIT 44EPA +0.51Converted

    38-R.Stevenson left tackle to PIT 42 for 2 yards (3-J.Brisker; 97-C.Heyward). PIT-3-J.Brisker was injured during the play.

  3. Q2 15:00 · 3rd & Goal at PIT 10EPA -1.12Stopped

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye sacked at PIT 12 for -2 yards (56-A.Highsmith).

  4. Q2 5:21 · 3rd & 6 at NE 35EPA -1.28Stopped

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass incomplete short middle to 3-D.Douglas (56-A.Highsmith).

  5. Q2 1:35 · 3rd & 20 at NE 10EPA +0.09Stopped

    32-T.Henderson right tackle to NE 20 for 10 yards (20-R.Jenkins; 35-J.Dean).

  6. Q3 13:43 · 3rd & 5 at NE 38EPA +2.99Converted

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep right to 87-R.Doubs to PIT 33 for 29 yards (22-A.Samuel).

  7. Q3 7:19 · 3rd & 6 at NE 30EPA +1.78Converted

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass short middle to 18-K.Williams to NE 40 for 10 yards (20-R.Jenkins).

  8. Q3 4:38 · 3rd & 1 at PIT 27EPA -2.38Stopped

    10-D.Maye pass short left to 86-E.Chism to PIT 29 for -2 yards (51-N.Herbig).

  9. Q3 0:50 · 3rd & 8 at PIT 27EPA -1.35Stopped

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass incomplete short right.

  10. Q4 10:04 · 3rd & 9 at PIT 48EPA -1.57Stopped

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass incomplete short right to 87-R.Doubs.

  11. Q4 3:39 · 3rd & 10 at NE 32EPA -0.62Stopped

    32-T.Henderson right tackle to NE 37 for 5 yards (5-J.Ramsey).

  12. Q4 1:13 · 3rd & 10 at NE 20EPA -0.10Stopped

    9-C.Kiner left tackle to NE 22 for 2 yards (3-J.Brisker; 51-N.Herbig). PENALTY on PIT-41-P.Wilson, Face Mask, 15 yards, enforced at NE 22.

PIT on third down — 2 of 12 converted

  1. Q1 13:34 · 3rd & 7 at PIT 33EPA +1.41Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass incomplete short left to 4-D.Metcalf.

  2. Q1 10:35 · 3rd & 6 at PIT 20EPA +1.31Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass incomplete deep left to 88-P.Freiermuth.

  3. Q1 4:18 · 3rd & 6 at NE 39EPA +1.73Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass incomplete short right to 30-J.Warren.

  4. Q2 12:50 · 3rd & 4 at PIT 36EPA +0.86Stopped

    (Shotgun) 30-J.Warren left end to PIT 39 for 3 yards (94-C.Durden; 0-C.Gonzalez).

  5. Q2 10:46 · 3rd & 8 at PIT 43EPA -2.35Converted

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 17-G.Bernard to NE 38 for 19 yards (53-C.Elliss).

  6. Q2 8:05 · 3rd & 7 at NE 22EPA +2.96Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers sacked at NE 31 for -9 yards (53-C.Elliss). FUMBLES (53-C.Elliss) [53-C.Elliss], touched at NE 30, recovered by PIT-76-T.Fautanu at PIT 42.

  7. Q2 2:00 · 3rd & 9 at NE 45EPA +1.36Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass incomplete short left to 14-R.Wilson.

  8. Q2 0:18 · 3rd & 1 at PIT 44EPA -0.30Converted

    (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass short left to 88-P.Freiermuth to NE 47 for 9 yards (4-C.Woodson). NE-25-M.Jones was injured during the play.

  9. Q3 9:16 · 3rd & 6 at PIT 42EPA +1.46Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass incomplete deep middle to 17-G.Bernard.

  10. Q3 2:27 · 3rd & 3 at PIT 44EPA +1.73Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers pass incomplete short left to 4-D.Metcalf.

  11. Q4 12:47 · 3rd & 5 at PIT 32EPA +2.43Stopped

    (Shotgun) 8-A.Rodgers sacked at PIT 21 for -11 yards (92-J.Farmer).

  12. Q4 2:53 · 3rd & 5 at PIT 26EPA +0.70Stopped

    (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Rudolph scrambles right tackle to PIT 29 for 3 yards (45-Q.Hutchins; 92-J.Farmer).

Player of the Game (Win Probability Added)
Romeo Doubs
Romeo Doubs
+14% WPA

Mostly as a receiver.

EPA is from New England's side: positive helped New England. Play text is the NFL's own.

Every play credited to R.Doubs (win probability added)

  1. Q1 3:35 · 2nd & 5 at PIT 48EPA +0.14+0.3% win prob.

    10-D.Maye pass short left to 87-R.Doubs to PIT 44 for 4 yards (35-J.Dean). FUMBLES (35-J.Dean), ball out of bounds at PIT 43.

  2. Q3 13:43 · 3rd & 5 at NE 38EPA +2.99+5.8% win prob.

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep right to 87-R.Doubs to PIT 33 for 29 yards (22-A.Samuel).

  3. Q3 2:12 · 1st & 10 at NE 8EPA +4.00+7.9% win prob.

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass deep right to 87-R.Doubs pushed ob at PIT 29 for 63 yards (20-R.Jenkins).

  4. Q4 10:04 · 3rd & 9 at PIT 48EPA -1.57-0.3% win prob.

    (Shotgun) 10-D.Maye pass incomplete short right to 87-R.Doubs.

Good, Bad & Ugly

Good
  • The defense allowed -0.36 EPA per play — better than an average defense.
  • Held PIT to 2 of 12 on third down (17%), well below the 40% league norm.
Bad
  • Scored touchdowns on 1 of 3 red-zone trips (33%), well below the 55% league norm.
  • The offense averaged -0.07 EPA per play — worse than an average offense.