No Controversy This Time as Bledsoe Takes Command

PITTSBURGH —  Drew Bledsoe didn’t need a questionable call, a debatable penalty or the full use of all the fingers on his passing hand. He didn’t even need the fourth quarter.

Bledsoe ignored a non-stop blitz and a fractured right index finger that throbbed on every throw to lead the New England Patriots to a critical 23-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

It was the Patriots’ first win in Pittsburgh since 1986.

Bledsoe, the first NFL quarterback since 1960 to throw last-minute game-winning touchdown passes in consecutive games, didn’t wait until the last minute to win this one.

Terry Glenn, who had a team-record 193 receiving yards, caught an 86-yard touchdown pass for the decisive score late in the second quarter as the Patriots (8-5) won their third in a row since Bledsoe was hurt leading the first of consecutive last-minute victories over Miami and Buffalo.

This time, the big plays came earlier and without controversy, unlike the much-debated Hail Mary pass-interference penalty that led to Bledsoe’s game-winning one-yard touchdown pass against Buffalo last week.

“They were blitzing some guys at different times and our guys were able to pick them up, and if I have that much time, generally I’m going to be effective,” said Bledsoe, sacked only twice while going 21 for 34 for 327 yards. “We made some big plays that way, including the one to Terry.”

Glenn’s catch behind safety Darren Perry on second-and-nine with 1:56 left before halftime clearly surprised the Steeler defense. Bledsoe stood up to the blitz just long enough to allow Glenn to get 10 yards behind Perry as the Patriots took a 13-6 at the half.

“We had a couple of miracles happen in the last two games and that tells you anything can happen,” Patriot Coach Pete Carroll said. “We know we’re right in it and, hopefully, we can find a place in the playoffs.”

The Steelers (7-6) might not. They have lost two in a row for the first time since December 1996 and are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time in Bill Cowher’s seven seasons as coach. They trail Jacksonville (10-3) by three games with three to play in the AFC Central.

“I was not pleased with this performance,” Cowher said. “I’m going to sit down, evaluate it and make some changes accordingly.”

The Steelers again didn’t have enough offense. They have scored only two touchdowns in their last 14 quarters and, trailing only 13-9, turned the ball over on consecutive second-half possessions.