The Pittsburgh Steelers relied on turnovers in their win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, and they came into the game preparing to do exactly that.
The Patriots turned the ball over five times in their 21-14 home loss to the Steelers in Week 3. Quarterback Drake Maye threw an interception and lost a crucial fumble late in the game. New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson lost two fumbles, including one at the goal line. Backup running back Antonio Gibson also put the ball on the ground in the second half.
While some would call that luck for the Steelers, the reality is head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized to his team in the days leading up to Sunday’s game that the Patriots have major issues with ball security.
Tomlin knew the Patriots had a fumble problem
As part of his preparation for Pittsburgh’s game against the Patriots, Tomlin put together a presentation for the Steelers to show how both Stevenson and Gibson have struggled with fumbles. Tomlin also stressed how Maye has a tendency to be careless with the ball.
Albert Breer of NBC Sports Boston said on Tuesday that he spoke with Steelers star pass-rusher T.J. Watt, who told the reporter about Tomlin’s presentation to the team.
“(Watt) told me that Mike Tomlin had put together a presentation at the beginning of their week and showed Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbles, showed Antonio Gibson’s fumble, and showed Drake Maye being loose with the ball,” Breer said. “They were reminded over and over and over again: These guys are gonna give you a couple.”