PITTSBURGH -- With little else to play for other than pride, the New England Patriots turned in a gutsy performance in a 21-18 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As they showed a national television audience, playing hard hasn't been the issue for them this season -- they've been in close games in all but two. It's been the execution and coming through in the clutch with game-deciding plays that has been the problem.
They finally came through in that area against the Steelers... barely.
After a sizzling first half in which they looked as good as they have all season on offense -- opening up a 21-10 lead -- they relied on their stingy defense to close things out in the second half.