The Other Side: Was it a 'Christmas miracle' for 'indefensible' Patriots?
It was possibly one of the most thrilling wins in the past decade for the New England Patriots, wrote Boston Globe reporter Chad Finn .
And it came at the Steelers' expense."It lived up to all of the hype, and then it somehow exceeded it," Finn wrote about the Patriots' last-minute 27-24 win over the Steelers.After a glimpse of a comeback late in the fourth quarter — after holding a lead for much of the game — the Steelers faltered in the final few seconds after a touchdown was overturned in a controversial call. The Patriots topped the Steelers for the fifth consecutive time .
This game has been phenomenal by the way. Living up to the hype. Let's hope this has a wild finish.
" Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) December 18, 2017
The "indefensible" combination of quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski led the Patriots to a victory, wrote Boston Globe columnist Tara Sullivan. It was Gronkowski's late fourth quarter performance that stood out — three catches for 69 yards to set up the winning score, Sullivan wrote.
Sullivan wrote that Gronkowski's "2-point conversion catch would elicit a primal scream and the muscle-flexing pose that would become this game's signature pose, as well as a thunderous celebratory spike of the football."
This Gronk guy is a keeper.
" tara sullivan (@Globe_Tara) December 18, 2017
Boston Herald sports copy editor and designer Chris Letoureneau likened the win to a "Christmas miracle" and described the Steelers as " yet another team throwing up on itself in the face of pressure ."
Steelers fans didn't take too kindly to the opposing team's stars.
Brady was serenaded by boos from Black and Gold fans an hour before kickoff, wrote Boston Globe beat writer Jim McBride.
Tom Brady greeted by loud boos here at Heinz. He responds by raising his arms, seemingly asking the crowd to bring it on. #Patriots
" Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) December 17, 2017
The win is a story that plays out often on football fields across the country, wrote Boston Herald columnist Karen Guregian. The Patriots find a way to win close games, like Sunday's.
When it comes to Patriots-Steelers, the Patriots will always win, @Dan_Shaughnessy writes. https://t.co/jFlaDN36ub pic.twitter.com/JV5AP3t7cd
" The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) December 18, 2017
Two more games remain in the regular season. The Steelers take on the Texans in Houston on Monday.Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.
