New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2010 Week 10 Recap

Game story

In Week 10 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-11-14, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 39–26 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 54 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +0.47 total EPA, and +1.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (9:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 19 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 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +16.75 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +11.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.30 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Wallace · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.13 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.66 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
5. 5 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.10 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Moore · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Green-Ellis · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.74 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.24 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

• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q1 54:54)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q3 24:54)
• New England Patriots — T. Brady (Q3 15:25)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — E. Sanders (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 12:34)
• New England Patriots — J. Sanders (Q4 8:42)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 6:49)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q4 4:31)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 3:10)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Graham (Q1 46:07)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q2 35:12)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 19 (Q1 54:54) — (9:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 54:48) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 12 (Q1 46:07) — (1:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 4 (Q2 35:12) — (5:12) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 9 (Q3 24:54) — (9:54) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Gronkowski for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 24:48) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q3 15:25) — (:25) 12-T.Brady up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 31–23. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q4 12:34) — (12:34) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 88-E.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 12:11) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 77 (Q4 8:42); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 6:49) — (6:49) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 17-M.Wallace for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the NE 2 (Q4 6:44) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 21-M.Moore rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 25 (Q4 4:31); New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 4:23) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 33 (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the NE 1 (Q4 2:59) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 21-M.Moore rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 18 (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) (Field Goal formation) 5-S.Graham 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 18 (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) (Field Goal formation) 5-S.Graham 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q1 54:54) — (9:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.71]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 37:47) — (7:47) 34-R.Mendenhall right tackle to NE 29 for 34 yards (31-B.Meriweather). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.39]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:24) — (8:24) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller to NE 48 for 16 yards (36-J.Sanders, 32-D.McCourty). [WPA +6.4% · EPA +2.13]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 35:18) — (5:18) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short left to 82-A.Randle El. [WPA -5.9% · EPA -1.45]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. [WPA -5.9% · EPA -2.97]

Impact plays

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 8:42) — (8:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 36-J.Sanders (25-P.Chung) at PIT 32. 36-J.Sanders for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NE, Un [WPA -3.8% · EPA -7.94]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.0% · EPA +4.17]
• New England Patriots (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-L.Woodley]. PENALTY on PIT-56-L.Woodley, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +1.3% · EPA +3.79]
• New England Patriots (Q1 54:54) — (9:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.71]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 59 dropbacks · 50.8% completion · +1.8% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.47 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 47 dropbacks · 63.8% completion · +8.0% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +16.75 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New England Patriots: 12 drives, +20.97 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +3.89 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 54:54 · PIT 19 · Score 6-0
   (9:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 54:48 · PIT 2 · Score 7-0
   5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 46:07 · PIT 12 · Score 10-0
   (1:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 35:12 · NE 4 · Score 10-3
   (5:12) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 24:54 · PIT 9 · Score 16-3
   (9:54) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Gronkowski for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 24:48 · PIT 2 · Score 17-3
   5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
7. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 15:25 · PIT 3 · Score 23-3
   (:25) 12-T.Brady up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 12:34 · NE 6 · Score 23-9
   (12:34) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 88-E.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 12:11 · NE 2 · Score 23-10
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 8:42 · NE 77 · Score 29-10
    (8:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 36-J.Sanders (25-P.Chung) at PIT 32. 36-J.Sanders fo
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 6:49 · NE 15 · Score 29-16
    (6:49) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 17-M.Wallace for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 6:44 · NE 2 · Score 29-18
    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 21-M.Moore rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
13. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 4:31 · PIT 25 · Score 35-18
    (4:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-L.Woodley]. PENALTY on PIT-56-L.Woodley, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards
14. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 4:23 · PIT 2 · Score 36-18
    5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:10 · NE 33 · Score 36-24
    (3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 2:59 · NE 1 · Score 36-26
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 21-M.Moore rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
17. New England Patriots TD (+10) — Q4 1:58 · PIT 18 · Score 39-26
    (1:58) (Field Goal formation) 5-S.Graham 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+8) — Q4 1:58 · PIT 18 · Score 39-26
    (1:58) (Field Goal formation) 5-S.Graham 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.