Matthew Slater fails to get a handle on a third-quarter kickoff, leading to a turnover and a Steelers touchdown.

Journal photo / Mary Murphy

FOXBORO -- Special teams gets a lot of attention in New England, but after Sunday's performance against Pittsburgh, the unit is getting attention for all the wrong reasons.

Rookie Matthew Slater's fumble of a third-quarter kickoff -- one of those moments where it was so comically bad you feel bad for the person involved -- was the most glaring error, but far from the only one the Pats' third unit made in the loss to the Steelers.

There was a 29-yard punt return in the first half allowed to Santonio Holmes, a 31-yard kickoff return to Gary Russell in the second half, and an unheard-of three penalties whistled against the unit.

But it was Slater whose gaffe will be remembered, and Slater who bore the brunt of the blame.

"I feel I cost my team the game," a quiet Slater said. "I have to do my job, and I didn't do my job. There's no excuses."

Slater, a fifth-round draft pick this year chosen for his skills on special teams, said he did see the ball. He has fielded 11 kickoffs this season (including a short one later in the game Sunday) and fumbled twice; he fell onto his fumble in the season opener against the Chiefs.

Normally the fullback on kick returns, leading the way for Ellis Hobbs, Slater was told to return Pittsburgh's second kickoff of the second half because Hobbs was spent and cramping; Hobbs also said he threw up from one of the things he ingested to combat the cramping.

The cornerback wouldn't let Slater take the blame for New England's loss.

"Plays were left out on the field, no doubt," Hobbs said. "That shows you what a standup guy [Slater] is, but I'm going to sit here and protect him, because that one play didn't destroy this team. We went out there and we lost as a group."

Over the last few weeks, kick coverage, normally a strength, has been an issue for the Patriots.

"We've just gotta play better," special teams captain Larry Izzo said. "We're hurting our team with field position. Every team has decent returners, and when you lose leverage in the NFL, you get hurt."

New England came into the game with Pittsburgh allowing 23.8 yards per kick return; at the start of this month, that number was three yards less.

Warren sits again

New England was once again without key personnel, as Ty Warren was not able to play for the second time in three games due to a groin injury.

The defensive end was limited in practice last week, but on Friday Warren indicated that he would play through his pain.

Defensive linemate Richard Seymour, also limited in practice last week due to a knee injury, started and recorded a half-sack and three quarterback hits.

Running back LaMont Jordan, who returned to practice this week after suffering a setback with his right calf injury earlier this month, was not active for the game and has not played since Oct. 5, when he suffered the injury in San Francisco.

Also inactive for the Pats on Sunday were LB Adalius Thomas, WR Kelley Washington, T Wesley Britt, G Billy Yates and TE Tyson DeVree; Matt Gutierrez served as the third quarterback.

The Steelers played without two starters, DE Brett Keisel and CB Bryant McFadden.

Final notes

Sunday was the first time since Nov. 12, 2006, that New England lost a game in which it scored first, a span of 23 straight regular-season games. The Patriots scored off Mike Vrabel's interception on the Steelers' first possession of the day. … New England defensive coordinator Dean Pees called the game from the coaches' box for the second straight game to get a better viewpoint. … Before the game, Matt Light was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award, one of 12 NFL players to receive the honor Sunday for their work promoting the importance of health and fitness among youth through the league's PLAY 60 campaign; one player each from the other 20 NFL teams will be honored before season's end. Representing President Bush during the pregame ceremony were Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Steve Preston and Tony Fratto, White House deputy press secretary.

smanza@projo.com