Game story
In Week 15 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-12-16, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +3.10 total EPA, and +5.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.89 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-18.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (7:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 11-J.Edelman INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Haden [91-S.Tuitt] at PIT 4. 23-J.Haden to PIT 4 for no gain (11-J.Edelman; 87-R.Gronkowski). NE-11-J.Edelman
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +6.89 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 2 C. Hogan · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.86 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
- 3 J. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 4 J. Samuels · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +3.75 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 5 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +3.10 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 6 V. McDonald · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
- 7 J. Samuels · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
- 8 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.49 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+6.89) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.37 EPA) came from New England Patriots: (6:58) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — V. McDonald (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- New England Patriots — C. Hogan (T. Brady pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
- New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q1 53:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 53:40) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 63 (Q1 51:58) — (6:58) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 20 (Q1 51:48) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 17 (Q2 42:07); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 42:01) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 15 (Q3 15:20) — (:20) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 30 (Q4 2:34) — (2:34) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New England Patriots (Q4 7:51) — (7:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 11-J.Edelman INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Haden [91-S.Tuitt] at PIT 4. 23-J.Haden to PIT 4 for no gain (11-J.Edelman; 87-R.Gronkowski). NE-11-J.Edelman
- New England Patriots (Q1 51:58) — (6:58) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 6:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 89-V.McDonald to PIT 15 for 8 yards (23-P.Chung).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 13:35) — (13:35) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Harmon (24-S.Gilmore) at NE 41. 21-D.Harmon to NE 41 for no gain (84-A.Brown).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:14) — (3:14) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 38-J.Samuels to PIT 46 for 20 yards (30-J.McCourty).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New England Patriots (Q1 51:58) — (6:58) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New England Patriots (Q4 7:51) — (7:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 11-J.Edelman INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Haden [91-S.Tuitt] at PIT 4. 23-J.Haden to PIT 4 for no gain (11-J.Edelman; 87-R.Gronkowski). NE-11-J.Edelman
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 13:35) — (13:35) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Harmon (24-S.Gilmore) at NE 41. 21-D.Harmon to NE 41 for no gain (84-A.Brown).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 23:36) — (8:36) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 32 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
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) · 40 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +5.9% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.10 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 38 dropbacks · 57.9% completion · +6.9% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +6.89 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.004 | +0.098 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.3% | 50.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.077 | +0.181 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.027 | +0.108 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.098 | -0.004 |
| Defensive success rate | 49.3% | 55.7% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs +0.00), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- New England Patriots: 9 drives, +0.35 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 drives, +7.31 total EPA, 3 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) 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.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) 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.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 53:45 · NE 5 · Score 0-6
(8:45) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 53:40 · NE 15 · Score 0-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 51:58 · PIT 63 · Score 6-7
(6:58) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 51:48 · PIT 20 · Score 7-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 42:07 · NE 17 · Score 7-13
(12:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NE-24-S.Gilmore, Defensive Holding, declined. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 42:01 · NE 15 · Score 7-14
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 15:20 · PIT 15 · Score 10-14
(:20) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 2:34 · NE 30 · Score 10-17
(2:34) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New England Patriots 17-10 in Week 15, 2018 on 2018-12-16.
What was the final score of New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was New England Patriots 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 17 (NE 10-17 PIT) in Week 15, 2018 on 2018-12-16.
What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: New England Patriots 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q2: New England Patriots 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: New England Patriots 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q4: New England Patriots 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Final: New England Patriots 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — V. McDonald (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 53:45) New England Patriots touchdown — C. Hogan (T. Brady pass) (Q1 51:58) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 42:07) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q3 15:20, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 2:34, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
T. Brady (New England Patriots), 62.5% completion, +5.9% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.10 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 57.9% completion, +6.9% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +6.89 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +6.89 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.37 EPA): (6:58) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -18.2%.
Was New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
New England Patriots
Entered 9-4 Now 9-5 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 7-5 Now 8-5 W
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