Week 3 win sparks debate regarding Steelers defense

Aided heavily by their defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New England Patriots 21-14 on Sunday. Even though the defense stepped up and forced five turnovers, there's still a question about whether Pittsburgh took the game or the Patriots simply blew it. 

What actually happened?

After giving up 32 points to the Jets and 31 to the Seahawks, the Steelers' defense dominated the Patriots game while the offense was only able to score 21 points. And after only generating two turnovers in their first two games combined, the defense recovered four fumbles, picked off Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and brought pressure to cause five sacks, continuously derailing many of New England's most productive possessions. 

At the same time, it was against a Patriots offense that has only experienced success against the lowly Miami Dolphins and is prone to big mistakes. The Steelers still rank near the bottom of the NFL in most defensive categories, in particular total yards allowed and yards allowed per game.

What people are saying...

Some, like longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly, have no time for anyone tying to discredit the win and the efforts of the defense. 

"This notion of the Patriots giving the Steelers the game by fumbling 4 times is horses---," Kaboly tweeted. "Are you telling me that the Steelers had nothing to do with those 4 fumbles?"