Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots: 2008 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-30, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 33–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with -27.74 total EPA, and -11.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.22 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-19.6% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: 3-Je.Reed kicks 65 yards from PIT 30 to NE 5. 18-M.Slater MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by PIT-57-K.Fox at NE 8. 57-K.Fox to NE 8 for no gain (90-L.Smith).

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 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.22 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
2. 2 N. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.11 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.43 EPA/play
4. 4 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Morris · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.98 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
6. 6 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.07 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Moore · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +1.59 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.13 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 — S. Morris (Q1 57:03)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 20:08)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Russell (Q4 2:48)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q1 47:55)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 36:52)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q3 20:43)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q3 17:53)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q4 5:48)

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 7–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q1 57:03) — (12:03) NE 50-Vrabel eligible. 34-S.Morris left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 57:01) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 2 (Q1 47:55) — (2:55) 3-Je.Reed 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 11 (Q2 36:52) — (6:52) 3-S.Gostkowski 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 19 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-S.Holmes for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 31:55) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 13–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 7 (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) 3-Je.Reed 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 11 (Q3 20:08) — (5:08) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 86-H.Ward for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 20:04) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 1 (Q3 17:53) — (2:53) 3-Je.Reed 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 27 (Q4 5:48) — (5:48) 3-Je.Reed 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q4 2:48) — (2:48) 33-G.Russell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 2:44) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 20:39) — 3-Je.Reed kicks 65 yards from PIT 30 to NE 5. 18-M.Slater MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by PIT-57-K.Fox at NE 8. 57-K.Fox to NE 8 for no gain (90-L.Smith). [WPA -19.6% · EPA -6.02]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 57:53) — (12:53) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 50-M.Vrabel [93-R.Seymour] at PIT 19. 50-M.Vrabel to PIT 14 for 5 yards (39-W.Parker). [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.36]
• New England Patriots (Q3 19:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel sacked at NE 23 for -6 yards (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison), RECOVERED by PIT-56-L.Woodley at NE 26. [WPA -10.3% · EPA -5.51]
• New England Patriots (Q2 31:25) — (1:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 33-K.Faulk up the middle pushed ob at PIT 26 for 41 yards (22-W.Gay, 56-L.Woodley). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +2.61]
• New England Patriots (Q2 30:21) — (:21) 3-S.Gostkowski 27 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson. [WPA -8.6% · EPA -2.85]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 3:47) — (3:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 33-K.Faulk INTERCEPTED by 94-L.Timmons at PIT 10. 94-L.Timmons to NE 1 for 89 yards (84-B.Watson). [WPA -1.7% · EPA -10.99]
• New England Patriots (Q3 20:39) — 3-Je.Reed kicks 65 yards from PIT 30 to NE 5. 18-M.Slater MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by PIT-57-K.Fox at NE 8. 57-K.Fox to NE 8 for no gain (90-L.Smith). [WPA -19.6% · EPA -6.02]
• New England Patriots (Q3 19:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel sacked at NE 23 for -6 yards (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison), RECOVERED by PIT-56-L.Woodley at NE 26. [WPA -10.3% · EPA -5.51]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 57:53) — (12:53) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 50-M.Vrabel [93-R.Seymour] at PIT 19. 50-M.Vrabel to PIT 14 for 5 yards (39-W.Parker). [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.36]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Cassel (New England Patriots) · 47 dropbacks · 40.4% completion · -11.9% CPOE · -0.59 EPA/play · -27.74 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -4.5% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.39 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.32), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New England Patriots: 13 drives, -26.59 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +1.87 total EPA, 7 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.
• H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Cassel (NE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 57:03 · PIT 2 · Score 0-6
   (12:03) NE 50-Vrabel eligible. 34-S.Morris left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 57:01 · PIT 2 · Score 0-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 47:55 · NE 2 · Score 3-7
   (2:55) 3-Je.Reed 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
4. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 36:52 · PIT 11 · Score 3-10
   (6:52) 3-S.Gostkowski 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · NE 19 · Score 9-10
   (2:00) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-S.Holmes for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:55 · NE 2 · Score 10-10
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 20:43 · NE 7 · Score 13-10
   (5:43) 3-Je.Reed 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 20:08 · NE 11 · Score 19-10
   (5:08) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 86-H.Ward for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 20:04 · NE 2 · Score 20-10
   3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 17:53 · NE 1 · Score 23-10
    (2:53) 3-Je.Reed 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 5:48 · NE 27 · Score 26-10
    (5:48) 3-Je.Reed 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 2:48 · NE 1 · Score 32-10
    (2:48) 33-G.Russell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 2:44 · NE 2 · Score 33-10
    3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.