The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t have many highlights to celebrate in Sunday’s 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots, but Patrick Queen provided one of the defense’s biggest plays of the afternoon.
New England opened the second half with the football and quickly moved from its own 33-yard line into Pittsburgh territory. Facing first-and-10 from the Steelers’ 33, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looked downfield for tight end Hunter Henry.
Maye’s pass was underthrown, and Queen was in position to make him pay.
The Steelers linebacker intercepted the pass at Pittsburgh’s 10-yard line and returned it three yards, ending a promising Patriots possession and giving the offense the football with an opportunity to cut into New England’s 10-3 lead.
Drake Maye picked off by Patrick Queen 👀
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— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
It was Queen’s first interception of the 2026 season and Pittsburgh’s second takeaway of the game. The Steelers defense had already forced a turnover in the first quarter when Nick Herbig knocked the ball loose from Rhamondre Stevenson and Payton Wilson recovered it.
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh couldn’t capitalize on Queen’s interception. The ensuing possession reached only the Steelers’ 42-yard line before the offense was forced to punt.
Still, Queen’s interception was another example of a Steelers defense that continued to create opportunities despite receiving little help on the scoreboard. Pittsburgh finished the afternoon with two takeaways, three sacks and held New England to 20 points, seven of which came directly on a Patriots fumble return for a touchdown.