Gene J. Puskar / AP

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots overcame injuries and a talented foe to win Sunday's game.

And despite the “business as usual” attitude among most of the players, this win wasn’t routine, either, to a team that is now 36-5 going back to the start of the 2003 season. “I’m just so happy!” yelled Christian Fauria, the veteran tight end, as he ran into the locker room after hugging both Myra Kraft, the wife of the team’s owner, and Scott Pioli, the team’s personnel director, also known as Belichick’s alter ego — or co-genius if you will.

Part of it was the injuries, part of it was that the Patriots did what the Patriots just don’t do, even Brady. He got New England to the Pittsburgh 3-yard-line in the waning seconds of the first half. Then Mankins moved early, pushing the Pats back to the 8 before Brady had a pass deflected by Kimo von Oelhoffen and intercepted in the end zone by Chris Hope.

On the other hand, the Patriots did again what no other NFL team has done — beat Ben Roethlisberger and make him look like the second-year quarterback he is.

Against teams other than New England, Roethlisberger is 16-0. Against the Patriots, he is 1-2.

On Sunday, especially in the second half, he seemed unable to decipher where the pass rush was coming from. And when he had time to pass, he demonstrated what’s known in the trade as “happy feet,” several times missing open receivers when he had time. Perhaps that was because he wasn’t sure if Seymour or Mike Vrabel or Willie McGinest or Jarvis Green was about to clobber him.

That kept the Patriots in the game until the offense was able to get on track, which it did in a 13-point fourth quarter, scoring on its last three possessions.

“We do seem to be able to handle these situations pretty well,” Vrabel said.

Was he talking about the injuries? The mistakes? The lead that Pittsburgh held for most of the game?

No matter.

New England handles everything pretty well. The Patriots may not win an unprecedented three straight Super Bowls, but at least they will be in position to make a run because of wins like this one.

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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