Steelers Edge Patriots in Gritty Week 3 Thriller: Rodgers Hits Historic Milestone in 21-14 Victory

Pittsburgh, PA — September 21, 2025 — The Pittsburgh Steelers rebounded from a disappointing Week 2 loss with a hard-fought 21-14 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 3, showcasing resilience and timely defensive plays to improve to 2-1. It wasn't always pretty, but Aaron Rodgers etched his name further into NFL history with his 509th career touchdown pass, surpassing Brett Favre for fourth on the all-time list, while the defense flipped the script on critics with a dominant performance.

The game, played at Gillette Stadium, started with the Steelers asserting control on offense. Rodgers, the 41-year-old veteran in his third game with Pittsburgh, orchestrated a 12-play, 90-yard drive capped by a stunning over-the-shoulder 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DK Metcalf early in the second quarter. The score not only gave Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead but marked Rodgers' 509th career touchdown pass, passing his former Green Bay Packers teammate Brett Favre (508). Only Peyton Manning (539), Drew Brees (571), and Tom Brady (649) stand ahead of him. "It's an honor to pass Brett, but the win is what matters," Rodgers said postgame.

Pittsburgh extended their lead to 14-7 later in the half on a 17-yard touchdown run by Jaylen Warren, who finished with 85 rushing yards on 18 carries. However, Rodgers' afternoon took a turn with a costly interception on the opening drive of the third quarter, picked off by former Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane and returned 25 yards to set up a Patriots touchdown. New England's Drake Maye, the rookie quarterback making his first start, responded with a 10-yard scramble for a score, tying the game at 14-14.

The Steelers' defense, under coordinator Teryl Austin, stepped up when it mattered most. After a shaky Week 2 where they allowed 117 rushing yards to Seattle, Pittsburgh forced four fumbles, intercepted Maye once, and sacked him five times. Derrick Harmon, the rookie first-round pick returning from an MCL sprain, recorded his first NFL sack and a forced fumble, while T.J. Watt added two tackles for loss. The turning point came late in the fourth quarter on a critical fourth-and-2 at midfield. With 2:16 remaining and the score tied, Maye's pass fell incomplete under pressure from the front seven, sealing the Steelers' victory.

Rodgers sealed the win with his second touchdown pass of the day—a 17-yard strike to Calvin Austin with 1:45 left, pushing his career total to 510. Despite the underwhelming stat line (18/28, 212 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT), Rodgers' poise in clutch moments was key. The run game, led by Warren, managed 112 yards, a marked improvement from recent struggles.

Defensively, the Steelers held New England to 122 rushing yards—below their Week 2 average—and limited Maye to 189 passing yards. Harmon's debut (3 tackles, 1 sack) and contributions from Yahya Black (1 forced fumble) highlighted the rookies' impact, while Keeanu Benton's reduced snaps (benchings for regression) opened doors for fresh legs.

The win silences some critics after a 31-17 defeat to Seattle, where the defense allowed 8.1 yards per carry to Kenneth Walker III. Tomlin praised his unit's grit: "We responded. That's Steelers football." With injuries lingering (Patrick Queen limited, Alex Highsmith out, Joey Porter Jr. questionable), Pittsburgh's depth—bolstered by recent practice squad additions Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jabrill Peppers—proved vital.

As the Steelers head into a bye week before Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, this gritty victory reaffirms their potential in the AFC North. Rodgers, now 29 touchdowns from Manning's third-place mark, hinted at continuing: "I've got more in the tank." For Pittsburgh, the focus shifts to consistency, but Week 3's response was a resounding statement.