Welcome to the Unconventional Review, an instant reaction to standouts, stats, and story lines from the Patriots’ most recent game . . .
It wasn’t particularly pretty, but it was progress. And most important, the Patriots got a win.
I wouldn’t call their 17-14 win over the Steelers a 180-degree turn from their performance in the season-opening loss in Miami last week. It was more like, oh, let’s call it a 135-degree turn.
The offensive line, their most pressing problem, was much more connected and cohesive, and rookie Cole Strong practically looked like a Logan Mankins stunt double when he was blocking on running plays.