Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots: 2013 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-11-03, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 55–31 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +5.29 total EPA, and +1.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +25.61 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (12:12) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at NE 42 for -6 yards (50-R.Ninkovich). FUMBLES (50-R.Ninkovich), RECOVERED by NE-72-J.Vellano at NE 42. 72-J.Vellano to NE 42 for no gain (68-K.Beachum). 3

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 · +25.61 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Cotchery · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +13.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +12.96 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Amendola · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.65 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.41 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Dobson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.56 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +5.29 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Blount · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.96 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Sanders · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.25 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 — D. Amendola (T. Brady pass) (Q1 49:06)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q2 40:35)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 32:00)
• New England Patriots — S. Ridley (Q2 30:13)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Cotchery (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 26:08)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Cotchery (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 22:14)
• New England Patriots — A. Dobson (T. Brady pass) (Q4 13:51)
• New England Patriots — S. Ridley (Q4 9:19)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Cotchery (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 6:20)
• New England Patriots — A. Dobson (T. Brady pass) (Q4 5:25)
• New England Patriots — L. Blount (Q4 2:49)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q2 37:41)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 34:37)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 17:42)

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 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 34 (Q1 49:06) — (4:06) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 80-D.Amendola for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 49:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 17–10. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 19 (Q2 40:35); New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 40:30) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q2 37:41) — (7:41) 6-S.Suisham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 3 (Q2 34:37) — (4:37) 3-S.Gostkowski 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 27 (Q2 32:00); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 31:55) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q2 30:13) — (:13) 22-S.Ridley right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 30:10) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 20 (Q3 26:08) — (11:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 26:02) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q3 22:14) — (7:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-J.Cotchery for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 22:10) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 14 (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) 3-S.Gostkowski 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 28–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 17 (Q4 13:51); New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 13:46) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q4 9:19) — (9:19) (No Huddle) 22-S.Ridley left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 9:16) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q4 6:20) — (6:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 89-J.Cotchery for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 6:15) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 81 (Q4 5:25); New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 5:15) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) 29-L.Blount up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 2:41) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 57:12) — (12:12) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at NE 42 for -6 yards (50-R.Ninkovich). FUMBLES (50-R.Ninkovich), RECOVERED by NE-72-J.Vellano at NE 42. 72-J.Vellano to NE 42 for no gain (68-K.Beachum). 3 [WPA -15.0% · EPA -4.90]
• New England Patriots (Q1 51:50) — (6:50) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 87-R.Gronkowski pushed ob at PIT 37 for 34 yards (25-R.Clark). [WPA +12.1% · EPA +3.65]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 49:12) — (4:12) PIT 76-Adams eligible. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 32-D.McCourty at PIT 34. 32-D.McCourty ran ob at PIT 34 for no gain. [WPA -10.7% · EPA -2.35]
• New England Patriots (Q3 18:15) — (3:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at PIT 14 for -9 yards (93-J.Worilds). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -1.82]
• New England Patriots (Q1 49:17) — (4:17) 22-S.Ridley left tackle to PIT 1 for no gain (43-T.Polamalu). [WPA -9.6% · EPA -2.96]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 5:25) — (5:25) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 17-A.Dobson for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 12-Brady 3rd career 400-yard game. NE 17-Dobson 1st career 100-yard game NE 12-Brady 47,062 career pass yards, passing Fran [WPA +3.1% · EPA +6.36]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:32) — (3:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 30-D.Harmon at NE 30. 30-D.Harmon pushed ob at PIT 28 for 42 yards (78-G.Whimper). [WPA -0.2% · EPA -5.48]
• New England Patriots (Q3 28:07) — (13:07) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 22-S.Ridley to NE 36 for 1 yard (43-T.Polamalu) [99-B.Keisel]. FUMBLES (43-T.Polamalu), RECOVERED by PIT-56-L.Woodley at NE 36. 56-L.Woodley ran ob at NE 36 for [WPA -4.3% · EPA -5.21]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 57:12) — (12:12) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at NE 42 for -6 yards (50-R.Ninkovich). FUMBLES (50-R.Ninkovich), RECOVERED by NE-72-J.Vellano at NE 42. 72-J.Vellano to NE 42 for no gain (68-K.Beachum). 3 [WPA -15.0% · EPA -4.90]

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) · 55 dropbacks · 50.9% completion · +1.2% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +5.29 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 39 dropbacks · 59.0% completion · +13.3% CPOE · +0.66 EPA/play · +25.61 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs +0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New England Patriots: 14 drives, +28.35 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, +5.92 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 49:06 · PIT 34 · Score 0-6
   (4:06) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 80-D.Amendola for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 49:00 · PIT 2 · Score 0-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 40:35 · PIT 19 · Score 0-13
   (10:35) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-43-T.Polamalu, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between do
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 40:30 · PIT 2 · Score 0-14
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 37:41 · NE 12 · Score 3-14
   (7:41) 6-S.Suisham 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.
6. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 34:37 · PIT 3 · Score 3-17
   (4:37) 3-S.Gostkowski 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · NE 27 · Score 9-17
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 84-A.Brown for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT 7-Roethlisberger 200th career TD pass, 2nd Steeler to reach that
8. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:55 · NE 2 · Score 10-17
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 30:13 · PIT 1 · Score 10-23
   (:13) 22-S.Ridley right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 30:10 · PIT 2 · Score 10-24
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 26:08 · NE 20 · Score 16-24
    (11:08) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 89-J.Cotchery for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 26:02 · NE 2 · Score 17-24
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 22:14 · NE 8 · Score 23-24
    (7:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-J.Cotchery for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 22:10 · NE 2 · Score 24-24
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.
15. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 17:42 · PIT 14 · Score 24-27
    (2:42) 3-S.Gostkowski 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
16. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 13:51 · PIT 17 · Score 24-33
    (13:51) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 17-A.Dobson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
17. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 13:46 · PIT 2 · Score 24-34
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
18. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 9:19 · PIT 5 · Score 24-40
    (9:19) (No Huddle) 22-S.Ridley left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 9:16 · PIT 2 · Score 24-41
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 6:20 · NE 6 · Score 30-41
    (6:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 89-J.Cotchery for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 6:15 · NE 2 · Score 31-41
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-10-M.McBriar.
22. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 5:25 · PIT 81 · Score 31-47
    (5:25) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 17-A.Dobson for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 12-Brady 3rd career 400-yard game. NE 17-Dobson 1st career 100-yard game NE 12-Brady
23. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 5:15 · PIT 2 · Score 31-48
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
24. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 2:49 · PIT 5 · Score 31-54
    (2:49) 29-L.Blount up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
25. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 2:41 · PIT 2 · Score 31-55
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.