Patriots fall to Steelers as turnovers overshadow Vrabel's gamble

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel drew praise and scrutiny Sunday for a bold fourth down gamble but said afterward that turnovers, not play-calling, were the decisive factor as the Patriots fell 21-14 to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Vrabel went for it on fourth-and-1 from New England's own 15-yard line late in the first half, a call that produced a 10-yard gain by Rhamondre Stevenson but could not overcome a game in which the Patriots committed five turnovers.

The decision to keep the ball on fourth down, with the Patriots trailing 14-7 and under six minutes remaining before halftime, immediately prompted reaction from fans and commentators on social media praising Vrabel's aggressiveness. Vrabel said after the game that he backed his offense but that ball security was the defining issue. They were costly, he said, calling the five turnovers unfortunate and noting that turnovers erase momentum and points.

Stevenson, who converted Vrabel's gamble with a key run early, had a difficult afternoon. The veteran running back fumbled twice, including a lost ball at the goal line in the second half, and now leads the league in fumbles since the start of...