The New England Patriots, led by quarterback Tom Brady, have had one of the best third-down offenses in the league this season.
But not Sunday. The Patriots were just 30 percent in third-down efficiency in a 25-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
New England (5-2), which normally is above 50 percent on third down, was 3-for-10 in that category against the Steelers, thanks mostly to the Pittsburgh defense putting the Patriots in third-and-long situations.
The Patriots had eight or more yards to go on half of their third-down attempts and had more than 10 yards to move the chains on three third-down plays.
The Steelers (6-2) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, on the other hand, went 10-for-16 on third down.
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