–Bill Belichick on whether the Steelers still have confidence after three straight heartbreaking losses: “You can count on that. I think if you guys are around competitive guys, you wouldn’t see that. So, I don’t really see that. I don’t give that any credibility at all. Competitive people compete. That’s what they do, and certainly that’s what the Steelers are. So, I’m sure we’ll get their best. I think they’ll get our best. We’ll see what happens.”
–Belichick on the struggles of Stephen Gostkowski who missed two kicks Sunday in the loss to Miami: “Steve’s kicked in the league a long time. There’s a lot of aspects to kicking. There are three people involved, not just one. It’s not like a kickoff where you just put the ball on the tee. So, just collectively, we’ve got to – obviously, the expectations are high, and hopefully we’ll be able to convert on all of our scoring opportunities. That’s the goal. But, nobody takes it more seriously than Steve does. So, I have a lot of confidence in him.”
–Belichick on the Steelers wide receivers: “Yeah, you’re not going to get anybody better than these two guys, plus the quarterback. They’ve got a lot of other guys, too, but I mean, these two receivers are elite – elite elite.”
–Defensive end Trey Flowers on how the team has responded to the Miami loss and how the defense will stop big running plays: “We are on to Pittsburgh. Past is in the past. Be more physical – be more fundamental and have more sound technique. Just make plays and make tackles – not allow extra yards.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 22 – Number of combined catches by Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon against Miami. The Patriots trio of pass catchers has never looked stronger. Gronkowski had his best game of the season Sunday with eight catches, 107 yards and one touchdown. In six games against the Steelers, Gronkowski has 39 catches, 664 yards and eight touchdowns. Gronkowski has dominated the Steelers. Last year in the fourth quarter, the Steelers could not stop him.
