PITTSBURGH -- The game is about wins and losses. That is why they keep score.
So the most important component to a proper analysis of an afternoon of head-banging between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers is, indeed, the final score.
Forget the extended periods of shakiness, the mistakes they had hoped to expunge from their profile, and the continued turns of misfortune that added bodies to the ranks of the injured.
Victory is bliss. Patriots 23, Steelers 20.
For much of yesterday's contest, the 64,868 at Heinz Field watched (and booed) a team that was far from the one that claimed the last two Super Bowls. But in the end, the Patriots (2-1) were quite Patriot-like.
Tom Brady leads drive. Adam Vinatieri makes kick. New England wins.
''It's so fun to be part of these guys that find a way to get it done every time," said Vinatieri, whose 43-yard field goal with one second to play was the 18th game-winning kick of his career. ''I'm the guy that goes out there and puts the icing on the cake, but they've got to go out there and build that cake."
''That was a heck of a football game," New England coach Bill Belichick said. ''It was a terrific game, coming down to the last play. It just doesn't get any closer than that.
''I'm really proud of our team. I thought our players fought hard, played a very tough, physical game, as did the Steelers. Fortunately, we were able to make enough plays in the end."
They made plays and overcame adversity.
Safety Rodney Harrison suffered what appeared to be a serious left knee injury in the first quarter, and offensive tackle Matt Light's right leg injury could be a problem as well for a team that is thin and inexperienced on the offensive line.
Those two events were out of the Patriots' control, but the 10 penalties for 118 yards and the three turnovers were not.
''Those were self-inflicted and uncharacteristic of a Patriots team," linebacker Rosevelt Colvin said. ''When you continue to do things, they become your character. We've got a lot of work to do. We were fortunate to come out with a victory.
''The percentage of you winning with three turnovers and giving up big plays like we did on defense is way low. We can't continue to play like that."
The Patriots' victory ended Pittsburgh's regular-season win streak at 16 games, just two shy of the Patriots' NFL record of 18 straight, and the Patriots, who lost to Carolina last week, extended their NFL-best streak to 36 weeks of games without losing back-to-back contests.
And in winning 36 of their last 41 games, the Patriots have made last-second victories seem commonplace.
The unflappable Brady jogged onto the field with 1 minute 21 seconds left and the score tied, 20-20.
Five plays later, Vinatieri took the stage and connected for the winner.
READER COMMENTS »
View reader comments » Comment on this story »