Statistically speaking, the New England Patriots outplayed the Pittsburgh Steelers in all three phases of the game on Sunday. The Patriots dominated the game in just about every major category. But the only one that truly counts is on the scoreboard, and the Patriots came up short in that facet.

Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots | Jaiden Tripi/GettyImages

The big reason for that? Turnovers. The Patriots gave the ball away five times, including a pair of fumbles by running back Rhamondre Stevenson, one of which cost New England a touchdown.

One could argue the Patriots could be 3-0. In their losses to Pittsburgh and Las Vegas, New England outplayed both teams but came up short because the Patriots couldn’t take care of the football. It doesn’t matter who you play. If you don’t take care of the football, you’re not going to win.

ESPN’s Dan Ovrlosky noted that on “Get Up” this week, the Steelers had no business winning Sunday’s game in Foxborough. The Patriots completely outplayed the Steelers, he said.

But if you give the ball to the other team, that’s irrelevant.

Patriots need to clean up their turnover problems – and fast

The potential for a “get-right” game lies ahead for the Patriots in the form of a Week 4 home contest with the woeful Carolina Panthers. Don’t let Carolina’s 30-0 win over Atlanta last week fool you; this is a team that the Patriots should handle at home.

Mike Vrabel and company have to be disappointed in giving two games away at home. They need to take out those frustrations on the Panthers. It starts with taking care of the football.

On paper, New England is a better team than Carolina, and Drake Maye’s ceiling at quarterback is far higher than that of his Carolina counterpart, Bryce Young. Maye has thrown for more than 250 yards in two of the Patriots’ first three games, but he’s given the ball away three times (two interceptions, one lost fumble).

On Sunday, Maye threw for 111 more yards than Aaron Rodgers, and the Patriots had nearly twice as many first downs. But the one time they forced a Pittsburgh turnover, the Patriots returned the favor. If that keeps up, Vrabel and company could be staring down the barrel of 1-3 heading into a three-game road trip that starts in Buffalo.