The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New England Patriots on Sunday by dominating the turnover battle, and Mike Tomlin did everything he could to put his team in position to do exactly that.
The Steelers forced five turnovers in their 21-14 Week 3 win over the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Four of those turnovers were fumbles, which was not merely good fortune for Pittsburgh.
NFL reporter Albert Breer said on NBC Sports Boston Tuesday that he spoke with Steelers star pass-rusher T.J. Watt about Pittsburgh’s game plan against the Patriots. Watt revealed that Tomlin put together a presentation for the team before Sunday’s game to show how running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson and quarterback Drake Maye all have ball security issues.
“To me, the most alarming thing about it, I talked to T.J. Watt when he was boarding the plane to go back to Pittsburgh on Sunday night. He told me that Mike Tomlin had put together a presentation at the beginning of their week and showed Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbles, showed Antonio Gibson’s fumble and showed Drake Maye being loose with the ball,” Breer said. “They were reminded over and over and over again (that) these guys are gonna give you a couple.”
Mike Tomlin showed the Steelers a presentation at the beginning of the week of Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and Drake Maye being loose with the football.
— Savage (@SavageSports_) September 23, 2025
🎥: @AlbertBreer , @NBCSBoston
Looks like coaching made a big difference on Sunday pic.twitter.com/r4ty2AHbQZ
Stevenson lost two fumbles in the game, including one near the goal line in the second half. The Patriots were trailing 14-7 at the time and had just come away with an interception. Gibson and Maye also lost fumbles in the second half.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel made some extremely aggressive calls to try to win, but it is almost impossible to turn the ball over five times and win in the NFL. If the Patriots don’t clean up their ball security issues, Tomlin will not be the only coach who instructs his players to take full advantage.
