Bad to worse on 3rd down

The Pats had been o-fer on 3rd down so far today. The last one was even worse. Matt Cassel on 3rd-and-13 went down the seam for Benjamin Watson. The pass was tipped into the hands of Troy Polamalu, the fourth turnover for the Patriots. Time’s running out for the Pats in this one, and many fans seem to agree, as that interception sent many to the exits.

PIT 23, NE 10 (9:18 left in 4th Q)

Welker not on field

After taking a vicious hit on the Pats’ last series, Wes Welker is not on the field now as the Patriots go with a hurry-up, no-huddle offense. Randy Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Sam Aiken are the wideouts, with Kevin Faulk and Benjamin Watson also in this set.

Steelers can’t extend edge

Jeff Reed’s 4th field goal attempt, from 40 yards, was wide right. His other 3 were short: 20, 25, and 20 yards. So it’s still a two-score game as the Pats take over.

PIT 23, NE 10 (11:29 left in 4th Q)

Woods done

Pierre Woods officially has a mouth injury and will not return today.

3rd down disparity

Ben Roethlisberger just completed an 11-yard pass on 3rd-and-9 to Hines Ward, highlighting a stunning disparity in this game on 3rd down:

Pittsburgh: 7-13 (54%)
New England: 0-9 (0%)

Hard to keep pace in a game when you can’t complete a 3rd down play offensively.

In good news…

That was a horrendous quarter for the Patriots (quarter-plus if you include the missed field goal at the end of the first half) but in a bit of good news, Denver currently leads the Jets 27-14 midway through the 3rd quarter at the Meadowlands.

Another strip-sack

James Harrison beat Matt Light around the left side of the Pats line and once again stripped Matt Cassel. The second such play for Harrison this quarter. So Pittsburgh, which has about a 10-minute edge in time of possession, takes over again, this time near midfield, as the clock winds down on the 3rd quarter.

PIT 23, NE 10 (end of 3rd Q)

Huge hit but huge break for Pats

Wes Welker got clobbered by Ryan Clark, absolutely pummeled, on a 3rd down incompletion by Matt Cassel. While Welker is certainly feeling the effects, the hit was late, so unnecessary roughness was called on Clark and it extends the drive. A big break for the Pats, who would have had to punt. They are now 0-8 on third down.

Hobbs back for the KOR

Ellis Hobbs was back in on the kickoff following the Jeff Reed field goal. He took the kickoff from his 5 to around midfield, but a penalty on Sam Aiken sends the Pats back to the 35.

Perhaps the plan today was to rotate kickoff return opportunities and make sure not to wear out Hobbs. His role defensively, of course, is critical.

Minor victory for Pats

The Patriots have held Pittsburgh to just 3 points, a key sequence here to keep the game to within 2 scores. After Pittsburgh recovered a fumble and picked up 19 yards on a pass to Heath Miller to the 7 yard line, the Pats gave up 6 yards on a pair of Willie Parker runs then an incomplete pass. Jeff Reed connected on his third field goal, a 20-yarder.

PIT 23, NE 10 (2:50 left in 3rd Q)