Already without three injured cornerbacks, including starter Tyrone Poole, the Patriots lost backup cornerback Duane Starks on the Steelers’ first play from scrimmage, though he returned later. Then, after allowing an 85-yard Hines Ward TD reception, safety Rodney Harrison and left tackle Matt Light went down with leg injuries.

Harrison was driven to the team bus on a cart, and Light was seen with a cast on his right leg.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said nothing when asked about the injuries, which forced the Patriots to patch together a secondary on almost every series and to call plays that kept the pressure off rookie offensive linemen Logan Mankins and Nick Kaczur. They gave up two sacks early in the second half before tightening up.

“Because of all the changes they had to make, they had people all over the place,” Roethlisberger said. “Guys were going down, they were moving people around. They had a guy who’s normally a linebacker (Mike Vrabel) lining up at safety and playing deep.”

Despite Roethlisberger’s misthrows and incompletions, the Steelers (2-1) led 13-10 early in the fourth after New England twice moved inside the Pittsburgh 10 without scoring.

Linebacker Clark Haggans stripped the ball from Kevin Faulk after a 15-play drive to the Steelers’ 8 early in the second quarter, and Brady was intercepted on a tipped ball late in the first half after New England had a first down at the 3.

“But we kept it close,” Vrabel said. “It’s important for us that you keep it close, because we have a lot of confidence that if we keep it close, we can win it in the end.”

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The Steelers’ Jeff Reed, whose team-record streak of 21 consecutive field goals ended when he missed a 52-yarder, hit from 33 and 24 yards. But Vinatieri cut it to 13-10 late in the third quarter with a 48-yarder, and made a 35-yarder in the fourth to stretch it to 20-13.

“We felt we were in control. But they played 60 minutes and we didn’t. So now we’ve got to regroup and let’s try to win 13 straight,” Ward said.

Notes: Ward’s TD catch was the longest against the Patriots since an 86-yarder by Kansas City in 1990. ... Brady got his 50th career victory in his 65th game. The only QB to win 50 in fewer games was Oakland’s Ken Stabler, who did it in 62 games. ... Pittsburgh’s 11-game home winning streak also ended. ... Patriots coach Bill Belichick is 4-1 against Pittsburgh with New England. ... Dillon had 61 yards on 22 carries after having 99 yards in the first two games. .. New England had four sacks after having two in two games.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year

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