Patriots handle Steelers 20-3 as Elijah Ponder records 1 sack

Automated recap from game data · November 9, 2026 at 4:55 AM ET · Gillette Stadium

The New England Patriots handled the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough before a crowd of 64,628. The Patriots moved to 1-1, while the Steelers fell to 1-1.

The Patriots took a 10-3 lead into halftime and kept control with a 10-0 edge after the break. The Patriots never trailed.

The Patriots out-gained the Steelers 327-235, and each team committed 2 turnovers. The Patriots converted 4 of 12 third downs and held the ball for 27:13.

Elijah Ponder of the Patriots earned Game MVP. Ponder finished with 5 tackles, 1 sack and 1 defensive touchdown.

For the Steelers, Alex Highsmith finished with 3 tackles and 1 sack.

Line score

Team	1	2	3	4	T
PIT	0	3	0	0	3
NE	7	3	3	7	20

How the game turned

Patriots win probability

Biggest swing: Patriots went from 71% to 79% on one play in the first quarter.

Q1 8:22(Shotgun) T.Henderson left guard for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. A.Borregales extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Ashby, Holder-M.Wishnowsky.

Scoring plays

Time	Team	Play	PIT-NE
Q1 8:22	NE	TreVeyon Henderson 39 Yd Rush (Andy Borregales Kick)	0-7
Q2 14:14	NE	Andy Borregales 30 Yd Field Goal	0-10
Q2 0:00	PIT	Chris Boswell 56 Yd Field Goal	3-10
Q3 0:43	NE	Andy Borregales 45 Yd Field Goal	3-13
Q4 13:37	NE	Elijah Ponder 19 Yd Fumble Return (Andy Borregales Kick)	3-20

Team stats

PIT		NE
235	Total yards	327
144	Passing yards	191
91	Rushing yards	136
16	First downs	15
2-12	Third down	4-12
1-1	Fourth down	0-0
0-1	Red zone	0-1
2	Turnovers	2
4-43	Sacks allowed	3-17
5-59	Penalties	6-31
32:47	Time of possession	27:13