Steelers Snap 15-Year Patriots Losing Streak With Key Win in Foxborough

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a hard-fought victory over the New England Patriots, capitalizing on key mistakes such as a late-game fumble by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and several turnovers, which Mike Tomlin highlighted as crucial to the win. Tomlin praised the defensive effort, particularly a game-changing interception by Brandin Echols near the goal line, and emphasized the importance of their ball-hawking culture that forced five turnovers and seven penalties from New England. The win marked a rare success at Foxboro for the Steelers, snapping several losing streaks against the Patriots and maintaining their undefeated record against teams coached by Mike Vrabel. Defensive adjustments, including increased snaps for linebacker Cole Holcomb who forced a fumble early in the game, have begun to improve a once-struggling run defense that had allowed nearly 300 rushing yards in the first two games. Despite the victory, Tomlin remains cautious about the defense's overall performance, noting that consecutive poor showings could indicate a troubling pattern requiring urgent correction. Meanwhile, rookie RB Kaleb Johnson’s costly kickoff error in an earlier game served as a significant learning moment, with Tomlin underscoring accountability and the need for young players to adapt quickly to NFL rules and speed.