Recap: New England vs. Pittsburgh

By Sports Network

Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Ben Roethlisberger threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-33 completions as Pittsburgh capitalized on key second- half turnovers to crush New England, 33-10, at a rain-soaked Gillette Stadium.

Jeff Reed made four field goals for the Steelers (9-3), who reeled off 30 consecutive points in the contest for their third win in a row and fourth in five.

Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes recorded touchdown receptions, while Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore racked up 154 combined rushing yards for the AFC North leaders.

Kevin Faulk gained 73 yards on six carries and caught seven balls for 48 yards for the Patriots (7-5), who turned the ball over five times en route to their second loss in three games.

Matt Cassel completed just 19-of-39 passes for 169 yards but threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles in defeat. Sammy Morris picked up 45 rushing yards and New England's lone touchdown on 10 rushes.

The Steelers melted the Patriots' defense on their first possession of the second half, taking 14 plays to go 79 yards and Reed made a 25-yarder with 5:39 remaining for a 13-10 lead.

Keyaron Fox recovered Matthew Slater's muff on the kickoff, and the visitors set up on the eight. Moore was stuffed for a three-yard loss, then Roethlisberger hooked up with Ward on an 11-yard strike and a 20-10 game only 35 seconds after their last score.

Another fumble, this time by Cassel, was recovered by Pittsburgh at the Pats' 26 and New England's defense held long enough for Reed's 20-yard make with 2:50 left in the period.

Cassel coughed up the ball once more on the following drive, but Reed pulled a 40-yard attempt wide left early in the fourth. Troy Polamalu's pick derailed the Pats' next series and Reed nailed a 45-yard field goal with 5:43 to play for a 26-10 Steelers advantage.

More misfortune befell the home team on the ensuing drive. An 89-yard interception return by Lawrence Timmons set up a one-yard TD run by Gary Russell and the Steelers rolled to victory.

The Pats got on the board thanks to timely defense, as Roethlisberger was picked off by Mike Vrabel deep in Steelers territory and returned the ball to the visitors' 14-yard-line. Three plays later Morris bounded into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.

Following two failed series, Reed's 20-yard field goal put Pittsburgh on the board with 2:51 to play in the first quarter.

With conditions on the field deteriorating, both sides had trouble moving the ball until Stephen Gostkowski's 29-yard field goal with 6:48 to play in the half gave New England a 10-3 lead.

Pittsburgh responded with a 63 yard drive in nine plays, ending when Holmes gathered in a 19-yard TD pass for a 10-10 tie with 1:55 left in the second.

A 41-yard burst by Faulk and a 14-yard run from Morris got the Patriots into the red zone but Randy Moss dropped back-to-back sure-fire touchdowns and Gostkowski missed a 27-yarder with 17 seconds remaining.