It’s still hard to believe the ending of the New England Patriots' loss last week in Miami. Kenyan Drake scored a 69-yard TD for the Miami Dolphins off just two lateral passes at the end of regulation to defeat the Pats in miraculous comeback fashion. That play kept the Patriots from sealing the division. Now, the Pats need a win and a Dolphins loss to clinch the AFC East this week. After a bad loss to the lowly Oakland Raiders, the Pittsburgh Steelers come into this game really needing a win to avoid blowing the division. That tie, in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, could come back to haunt them. A loss means they can’t get to 10 wins. This really is a monumental game for the Steelers.
How to Watch Patriots vs. Steelers: Week 15
Where: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Start: Sunday, Dec. 16, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV Network: CBS
Stream Online: Watch live with fuboTV
It’s hard to get the image of Rob Gronkowski basically falling over on that final play out of your head. He probably shouldn’t have been on the field for the Patriots defense in a non-Hail Mary situation. The Patriots are still likely to win the AFC East, even if they lose this game. Assume they have two Ws in the final two weeks against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Tom Brady had a great game in the loss to Miami, throwing for 358 yards, three TDs, and no picks. James Develin is looking for his third straight game with a rushing TD. Sony Michel has looked back to normal after a serious knee injury. The Patriots have won their past four games against the Steelers. We know they can score 30-plus, but can their defense hold the Steelers? Stephon Gilmore ranks second in the NFL with 16 passes defended. Their issue has been getting pressure on opposing QBs: When Ben Roethlisberger has time to throw, he will destroy you.
Roethlisberger comes into this game after missing about a quarter last week with a rib injury. The Steelers need their franchise QB for this pivotal matchup; Josh Dobbs looked absolutely atrocious in his place. Roethlisberger went 25 of 29, and had the Steelers set up to send the game to OT. Kicker Chris Boswell missed the game-tying field goal, continuing an absolute trainwreck of a season that has devastated the Steelers in close games. The Steelers have been exploring other options at kicker, and it’s still not a lock Boswell kicks on Sunday. The Steelers thrive with their pass rush led by T.J. Watt. They should come at Brady all day and try to force him into mistakes.