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NFL · Week 3 · September 25, 2005 · 12 min read

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2005 Week 3 Recap

Patriots defeat Steelers 23–20 in Week 3

H.Ward led Fantasy Impact as Patriots prevailed in a 23–20 Week 3 finish.

New England Patriots 23 2–1 Winner
Final 23–20
Pittsburgh Steelers 20 2–1
Winner
New England Patriots
Final score
23–20
Top passer
T. Brady
FantasyHQ MVP
H.Ward
Game date
September 25, 2005

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

  • D.Givens 9 REC · 130 YDS +9.3 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Branch 6 REC · 78 YDS +6.6 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Brady 31/44 · 346 YDS +4.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • H.Ward 4 REC · 110 YDS · 2 TD +10.5 Fantasy Impact
  • B.Roethlisberger 12/36 · 198 YDS · 2 TD +4.8 Fantasy Impact
  • V.Haynes 1 REC · 18 YDS +2.6 Fantasy Impact
View Patriots vs Steelers box score View all 2005 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
New England Patriots
Final score
New England Patriots 23–20 Pittsburgh Steelers
Halftime
Halftime score unavailable
FantasyHQ MVP
H. Ward
Top passer
T. Brady
Biggest EPA play
(9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2005-09-25

Game summary

The New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 23–20 on 2005-09-25. H. Ward posted a game-high +10.48 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q3Q4——T
New England Patriots73130023
Pittsburgh Steelers10370020

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

NENew England Patriots
PITPittsburgh Steelers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. NENew England Patriots
    Q1 9:52TD
    CDC. Dillon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 4
    Score
    6-0

    (9:52) 28-C.Dillon up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. NENew England Patriots
    Q1 9:47XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    7-0

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.

  3. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 9:43TD
    HWH. Ward

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NE 85
    Score
    7-6

    (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 9:32XP
    Joe Reed

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NE 2
    Score
    7-7

    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  5. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 4:45FG
    Joe Reed

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NE 15
    Score
    7-10

    (4:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  6. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 6:11FG
    Joe Reed

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NE 6
    Score
    7-13

    (6:11) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  7. NENew England Patriots
    Q3 0:19FG
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 30
    Score
    10-13

    (:19) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.

  8. NENew England Patriots
    Q4 10:46TD
    CDC. Dillon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 7
    Score
    16-13

    (10:46) 28-C.Dillon right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. NENew England Patriots
    Q4 10:37XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    17-13

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.

  10. NENew England Patriots
    Q4 3:23FG
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 17
    Score
    20-13

    (3:23) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.

  11. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 1:25TD
    HWH. Ward

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NE 4
    Score
    20-19

    (1:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 1:21XP
    Joe Reed

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NE 2
    Score
    20-20

    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

  13. NENew England Patriots
    Q4 0:05FG
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 25
    Score
    23-20

    (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.48 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.62 EPA/play
  2. 2D. Givens · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.31 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
  3. 3D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
  4. 4B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.82 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
  5. 5T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +3.99 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
  6. 6Trent BrownTrent Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.14 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
  7. 7V. Haynes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
  8. 8Cedrick Wilson Jr.Cedrick Wilson Jr. · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

H. Ward — PIT · Receiving

H. Ward posted the highest total EPA (+10.48) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.62 EPA per play.

H. Ward's top snap (+6.54 EPA): (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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) · 44 dropbacks · 70.5% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.99 total EPA
  • B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 36 dropbacks · 33.3% completion · +0.13 EPA/play · +4.82 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew England PatriotsPittsburgh Steelers
Offensive EPA/play+0.015-0.067
Offensive success rate52.2%35.0%
Pass EPA/play+0.091+0.134
Rush EPA/play-0.131-0.285
Defensive EPA/play+0.067-0.015
Defensive success rate65.0%47.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New England Patriots: +0.01 EPA/play (53rd percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.07 EPA/play (35th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • New England Patriots: 13 drives, +1.39 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -5.39 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q1 9:52)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 9:43)
  • New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q4 10:46)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 1:25)

Field goals

  • Joe ReedPittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q1 4:45)
  • Joe ReedPittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q3 6:11)
  • New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q3 0:19)
  • New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q4 3:23)
  • New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q4 0:05)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q1 9:52) — (9:52) 28-C.Dillon up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 9:47) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 85 (Q1 9:43) — (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 9:32) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 15 (Q1 4:45) — (4:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (Q3 6:11) — (6:11) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 30 (Q3 0:19) — (:19) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q4 10:46) — (10:46) 28-C.Dillon right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 10:37) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 17 (Q4 3:23) — (3:23) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q4 1:25) — (1:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 1:21) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 25 (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to 11-Q.Morgan (30-C.Scott). PENALTY on NE-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, 23 yards, enforced at NE 27 - No Play. [WPA +21.2% · EPA +3.94]
  • New England Patriots (Q2 12:18) — (12:18) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk to PIT 8 for 6 yards (53-C.Haggans). FUMBLES (53-C.Haggans), RECOVERED by PIT-50-L.Foote at PIT 8. 50-L.Foote to PIT 35 for 27 yards (83-D.Branch). [WPA -20.3% · EPA -6.15]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 9:43) — (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +6.54]
  • New England Patriots (Q2 0:41) — (:41) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 28-C.Hope (67-K.Von Oelhoffen) at PIT 4. 28-C.Hope to PIT 9 for 5 yards (67-D.Koppen). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.65]
  • New England Patriots (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. [WPA +17.9% · EPA +0.87]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 9:43) — (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +6.54]
  • New England Patriots (Q2 12:18) — (12:18) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk to PIT 8 for 6 yards (53-C.Haggans). FUMBLES (53-C.Haggans), RECOVERED by PIT-50-L.Foote at PIT 8. 50-L.Foote to PIT 35 for 27 yards (83-D.Branch). [WPA -20.3% · EPA -6.15]
  • New England Patriots (Q2 0:41) — (:41) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 28-C.Hope (67-K.Von Oelhoffen) at PIT 4. 28-C.Hope to PIT 9 for 5 yards (67-D.Koppen). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.65]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to 11-Q.Morgan (30-C.Scott). PENALTY on NE-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, 23 yards, enforced at NE 27 - No Play. [WPA +21.2% · EPA +3.94]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 9:52 · PIT 4 · Score 6-0
    (9:52) 28-C.Dillon up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 9:47 · PIT 2 · Score 7-0
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 9:43 · NE 85 · Score 7-6
    (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 9:32 · NE 2 · Score 7-7
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 4:45 · NE 15 · Score 7-10
    (4:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 6:11 · NE 6 · Score 7-13
    (6:11) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 0:19 · PIT 30 · Score 10-13
    (:19) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
  8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 10:46 · PIT 7 · Score 16-13
    (10:46) 28-C.Dillon right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 10:37 · PIT 2 · Score 17-13
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
  10. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 3:23 · PIT 17 · Score 20-13
    (3:23) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
  11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 1:25 · NE 4 · Score 20-19
    (1:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 1:21 · NE 2 · Score 20-20
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
  13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:05 · PIT 25 · Score 23-20
    (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.

Key takeaways

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

  • New England Patriots earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2005-09-25?

The New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-20 in Week 3, 2005.

What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Q1: New England Patriots 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; Q3: New England Patriots 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Q4: New England Patriots 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Final: New England Patriots 23, Pittsburgh Steelers 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

New England Patriots touchdown — C. Dillon (Q1 9:52) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 9:43) New England Patriots touchdown — C. Dillon (Q4 10:46) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 1:25) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q1 4:45, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q3 6:11, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q3 0:19, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q4 3:23, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q4 0:05, 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), 70.5% completion, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.99 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 33.3% completion, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +4.82 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.48 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps. Their top snap (+6.54 EPA): (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. New England Patriots won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New England Patriots

Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 2-0 Now 2-1 L

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