PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to beat Tom Brady: Don’t let him get the ball.
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 365 yards and two touchdowns and the Steelers finally solved their Brady problem with an emphatic 25-17 victory over New England.
Roethlisberger completed 36-of-50 passes and led the Steelers (6-2) on a series of clock-chewing drives, effectively keeping Brady and the NFL’s top-ranked offense off the field. Pittsburgh held the ball for more than 39 minutes and survived a late rally to win its fourth straight following a 2-2 start.
Brady passed for two touchdowns but threw for a season-low 198 yards.
The Patriots (5-2) drew within six when Brady hit Aaron Hernandez for a 1-yard touchdown pass with 2:35 remaining, but a last-gasp drive ended when Brady was sacked and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety with eight seconds to play.
Pittsburgh’s five scoring drives lasted 11, 16, 10, 14 and 11 plays. The Steelers converted 10-of-16 third downs and Shaun Suisham kicked three field goals as Pittsburgh kept Brady on the sideline for long stretches.
When Brady did get in the game, the Steelers were able to disrupt his timing just enough. Pittsburgh sacked him three times.
Brady fell to 6-2 against Pittsburgh as the NFL’s top offense was held to 213 yards, less than half New England’s average of 474.
