Rodgers' 509th TD lifts Steelers past Patriots at Gillette

Aaron Rodgers threw his 509th career touchdown pass and the Pittsburgh Steelers used a cascade of New England turnovers to beat the host Patriots 21-14 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, handing Rodgers his first victory there and moving him ahead of Brett Favre on the NFL all time touchdown list. The second quarter 12-yard scoring pass to DK Metcalf gave Pittsburgh a two touchdown lead and put Rodgers alone in fourth place behind Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.

The game’s storyline turned on New England’s mistakes. The Patriots committed five turnovers, four lost fumbles and an interception, that wiped out otherwise productive offensive numbers and opened the door for the Steelers. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 28 of 37 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns, but he was sacked five times, threw an interception and lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter while driving, according to team reports. Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled twice, including a goal line series in the third quarter that veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward helped force and that sealed a Patriots opportunity.

Steelers adjustments on defense proved decisive. Pittsburgh started inside...