Patriots QB Drake Maye talks about his turnovers after Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Steelers at Gillette Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye knows he needs to stop turning the ball over – and soon.

Maye threw an interception in the end zone thanks to a tip at the line of scrimmage and fumbled to kill a drive in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

On the deflected interception – Keyshon Boutte was wide open in the end zone – Maye said “It just kind of took a different route … I think I could have given (Boutte) a different ball flight, I think in the back core of the end zone for a touchdown. Like I said, just one of those things that stings. I was thinking about it all halftime. Just got to move on.”

And with his fumble, “If I have to take a sack, just take care of the football. That’s the number one thing.

“It (turnovers) cost us. It hurts. It’s something to learn from. It’s a long season. The defense played their butts off, and the guys in the ocker room are playing hard and they’re fighting hard. It’s tough, it stings just knowing we hurt ourselves and that’s what cost us.”

PEPPERS MAKES A PLAY

Former Patriot Jabrill Peppers, cut by the team at the end of training camp, recovered one of the Patriot fumbles and certainly was a presence for the Steelers.

“I just had to keep my emotions in check, not let the moment be too big,” he said. “Let the plays come to you, and I definitely have a lot I got to work on, as far as the minute details of things. But it’s definitely good, correcting things after a win. …

“I wish nothing but success for those guys (the Patriots). I mean, they work hard. They’re well coached, and they deserve it.”

STEVENSON WILL FOCUS

Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson says he is focused on one thing and one thing only from now on: Holding on to the football.

“I got to do everything I need to do to hold the ball,” he said after fumbling twice Sunday. “So I’ll be taking every approach that’s needed.”

NO GONZALEZ

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) was inactive for the third straight week, despite getting some limited practice time in for the first time this season. He was questionable at the end of the week.

Also inactive again was rookie receiver Efton Chism III, linebacker Elijah Ponder, guard Caedan Wallace, and defensive tackle Eric Gregory. Tommy DeVito was the emergency third QB.

NOTES

The last time the Patriots turned the ball over five times was, ironically, against the Steelers in 2008 – and that’s the last time the Steelers won here before Sunday…

The Patriots held their opponent to under three yards a carry for the second time in the first three weeks…

Hunter Henry had a spectacular day with eight catches for 90 yards and two TDs. He became the fifth Patriot tight end with at least 20 TD passes for his Pats career. He now has 21. He also reached 90 receiving yards for the sixth time…

Up next: Carolina comes to Gillette next Sunday at 1 p.m. The Panthers blanked Atlanta 30-0 yesterday.