Steelers' Aaron Rodgers makes honest admission after Patriots win

The Pittsburgh Steelers got themselves back on the winners list with a 21-14 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, but Aaron Rodgers isn't all that happy.

Having been up 14-0 early in the first half after two long-sustained drives, the Steelers were feeling good, with two drives yielding two touchdowns, but it was slim pickings after that. 

Pittsburgh would then go interception, punt, punt, punt, on their next four possessions before getting the ball in the fourth quarter, needing a score, and Rodgers led a 13-play, 67-yard touchdown drive, which turned out to be the game-winning drive.

And for No. 8, while the offense produced when it needed to in a crucial moment, there were a lot of plays left out on the field.

“It's what we're supposed to do,” Rodgers said. “We got to make those plays, so we're not in those positions, 14 nothing, we're feeling pretty damn good about ourselves. We haven't been ahead by two scores yet and two drives, two touchdowns, starting fast for the third straight week. But I just didn't play great, and we kind of lost our rhythm.

"Had too many penalties and negative yardage plays and didn't make them pay when we had opportunities.”

MORE: Ravens' Derrick Henry issues bold statement on run game ahead of Lions clash

Steelers defense finally shows up

After allowing 30+ points in both games this season, the defense finally flexed its muscles, only allowing 14 to the Patriots.

Considering the Patriots ran 22 more plays, had the ball for nearly seven minutes more, it was the very definition of bend but don't break as the defense managed to hold its nerve and allow Rodgers and the offense to put the nail in the coffin late in the fourth quarter.

Also, the defense got after Drake Maye, sacking him five times, so maybe, just maybe, the much-vaunted Steelers defense is beginning to show signs of life after three weeks.

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