New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2004 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-10-31, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 34–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with -4.50 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Givens (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.96 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+13.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (3:54) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Givens · New England Patriots · Receiving · +11.96 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +10.25 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
3. 3 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +8.33 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.78 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Staley · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.55 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
7. 7 A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.37 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 48:54)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 45:33)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Townsend (Q1 45:22)
• New England Patriots — D. Givens (T. Brady pass) (Q2 30:46)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q3 28:09)
• New England Patriots — D. Givens (T. Brady pass) (Q4 6:39)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q1 56:40)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q2 32:09)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q3 25:44)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q3 17:10)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 21–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 25 (Q1 56:40) — (11:40) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 47 (Q1 48:54) — (3:54) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 48:46) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q1 45:33) — (:33) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by NE and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by NE at 00:29.); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 45:29) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 67 (Q1 45:22) — (:22) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 81-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at NE 39. 26-D.Townsend for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 45:13) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 1 (Q2 32:09) — (2:09) 3-J.Reed 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q2 30:46) — (:46) 12-T.Brady pass to 87-D.Givens for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 30:42) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q3 28:09) — (13:09) #78 Starks is eligible 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 28:06) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 7 (Q3 25:44) — (10:44) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 11 (Q3 17:10) — (2:10) 3-J.Reed 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 23 (Q4 6:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 87-D.Givens for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 6:33) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:54) — (3:54) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.9% · EPA +4.43]
• New England Patriots (Q1 48:41) — (3:41) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 23 for -6 yards (55-J.Porter). FUMBLES (55-J.Porter), RECOVERED by PIT-67-K.Von Oelhoffen at NE 27. 67-K.Von Oelhoffen to NE 27 for no gain (67-D.Koppen). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -4.67]
• New England Patriots (Q1 57:58) — (12:58) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten to PIT 39 for 11 yards (43-T.Polamalu, 26-D.Townsend). PENALTY on PIT-43-T.Polamalu, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at PIT 39. [WPA +6.9% · EPA +2.06]
• New England Patriots (Q1 45:22) — (:22) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 81-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at NE 39. 26-D.Townsend for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -6.6% · EPA -7.64]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 51:31) — (6:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 34-V.Haynes to PIT 38 for 14 yards (37-R.Harrison). [WPA +6.0% · EPA +2.14]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New England Patriots (Q1 45:22) — (:22) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 81-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at NE 39. 26-D.Townsend for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -6.6% · EPA -7.64]
• New England Patriots (Q3 29:53) — (14:53) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk to NE 22 for -2 yards (55-J.Porter). FUMBLES (55-J.Porter), RECOVERED by PIT-91-A.Smith at NE 22. 91-A.Smith to NE 17 for 5 yards (61-S.Neal). [WPA -4.3% · EPA -4.78]
• New England Patriots (Q1 48:41) — (3:41) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 23 for -6 yards (55-J.Porter). FUMBLES (55-J.Porter), RECOVERED by PIT-67-K.Von Oelhoffen at NE 27. 67-K.Von Oelhoffen to NE 27 for no gain (67-D.Koppen). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -4.67]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:54) — (3:54) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.9% · EPA +4.43]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 48 dropbacks · 52.1% completion · -0.09 EPA/play · -4.50 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 26 dropbacks · 69.2% completion · +0.39 EPA/play · +10.25 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +0.48 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +11.46 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. Givens (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 56:40 · PIT 25 · Score 3-0
   (11:40) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 48:54 · NE 47 · Score 3-6
   (3:54) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 48:46 · NE 2 · Score 3-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 45:33 · NE 4 · Score 3-13
   (:33) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 80-P.Burress for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by NE and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by NE at 00:29.)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 45:29 · NE 2 · Score 3-14
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 45:22 · PIT 67 · Score 3-20
   (:22) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 81-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at NE 39. 26-D.Townsend for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 45:13 · NE 2 · Score 3-21
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 32:09 · NE 1 · Score 3-24
   (2:09) 3-J.Reed 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 30:46 · PIT 2 · Score 9-24
   (:46) 12-T.Brady pass to 87-D.Givens for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 30:42 · PIT 2 · Score 10-24
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 28:09 · NE 2 · Score 10-30
    (13:09) #78 Starks is eligible 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 28:06 · NE 2 · Score 10-31
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 25:44 · PIT 7 · Score 13-31
    (10:44) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 17:10 · NE 11 · Score 13-34
    (2:10) 3-J.Reed 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
15. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 6:39 · PIT 23 · Score 19-34
    (6:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 87-D.Givens for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 6:33 · PIT 2 · Score 20-34
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.