6 rings: 3 matchups to watch in Patriots vs. Steelers on Thursday Night Football
The Patriots don't have much time to sulk about their (fifth straight) loss to the Chargers on Sunday, as they're right back at it on Thursday to take on the 7-5 Steelers.
As we do every week, both here at WEEI.com and on the 6 Rings and Football Things podcast feed (listen here), here are three crucial clashes to watch in New England's Week 14 contest in Pittsburgh:
- Mike Onwenu/Patriots offensive line vs. T.J. Watt
Since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Mike Onwenu has been one of the Patriots’ best and most versatile offensive linemen. Playing just about every position across the board over the last four seasons, the former Michigan Wolverine has shown a knack for being both consistent and flexible. He should be one of New England’s top priorities this offseason.
That being said, Onwenu did meet his match last Sunday against the Chargers in defensive end Khalil Mack. The six-time All-Pro beat New England’s right tackle several times throughout the contest, registering several pressures on his way to one of his two sacks of quarterback Bailey Zappe.
This week, Onwenu’s challenge gets even tougher when he takes on one of the best players in all of football in T.J. Watt. The 6-foot-4, 250+ pound linebacker has been nothing short of sensational since entering the league in 2017. A three-time All-Pro and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, Watt looks to be on a career trajectory that matches, if not passes, his brother J.J.’s when it’s all said and done.
I highlighted Onwenu off the top, but New England’s offensive line as a whole will have to be on alert for Watt as the Steelers line him up all over the formation. Last week, the Patriots rotated Conor McDermott in for an ailing Trent Brown on the left side. At Tuesday’s practice in Foxborugh, Brown was “present”, but stood in the corner with his helmet off while the rest of his teammates stretched.
If he can’t go on Thursday, expect Watt to lineup everywhere… and wreak havoc.
- Patriots pass catchers vs. Steelers secondary
The Steelers’ defense, at it’s core, is one of the better units in football. Allowing just 19.1 points per game, good for 6th in the NFL, the ‘Steel Curtain’ seems to be making a bit of a renaissance in 2023.
What the defense is made up of (i.e. it’s pass and run defense) is middle of the pack in terms of yards per game. Against the run they allow 121 yards per game (22nd in the NFL) and against tthe pass 227.3 (19th).
With Rhamondre Stevenson down, look for the Patriots to a) rely on Ezekiel Elliott to take on a heavy workload running the football, and b) pass the football more than you’d expect.
Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe wasn’t great in his first start of the season Sunday, completing just 13 of 25 passes for less than 150 yards, but he did look to have a better feel for the pocket compared to Mac Jones. He also, by his own words, has a solid comfort level with his weapons in DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton.
“I’m comfortable with those guys, 100 percent,” Zappe said at the podium on Tuesday. “They’re great players, and it makes it easy for a quarterback. You put it really anywhere, and those guys are going to make a play on it. So, those guys are good receivers and I’m excited to be throwing to those guys.”
‘Those guys’ will have their work cut out for them on Thursday night going against this Pittsburgh secondary. While I mentioned that as a whole the pass defense has been sub-par, individually this could be a tough matchup for New England.
With the help of safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontee Kazee and Keanu Neal and cornerbacks Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., and Levi Wallace, the Steelers have picked off opposing quarterbacks 12 times this season. Zappe’s been turnover happy throughout his time under center with New England. I’d be surprised if he didn’t throw Pittsburgh one on Thursday.
- Mitchell Trubisky vs. Patriots defense
The Patriots’ quarterback room isn’t the only in the NFL that’s in a bit of disarray right now. Steelers starter Kenny Pickett, who admittedly hasn’t been great in his second season under center in Pittsburgh, won’t be suiting up on Thursday after undergoing tightrope surgery on his sprained right ankle.
They’ll turn to backup Mitchell Trubisky, who’s 1-1 against the Patriots in his career, throwing for a total of 501 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
"We're trying to score points," Trubisky said of the Steelers’ approach for Thursday’s game. "I'm going to be aggressive. I'm going to take care of the football, and we've got to play better as an offense. We're going against a good defense this week that is well-coached. So, we've got to do our job and execute.”
"We want to be an aggressive offense," he continued. "So whatever that means, taking care of football, we got to find ways to score points. That's the bottom line."
The Patriots, who are 15th in scoring defense with 21.2 points allowed per game, have been sensational over the last three weeks allowing just 10, 10, and 6 points respectively. They have also, however, lost every game.
"No," New England safety Jalen Mills said on Sunday when asked if their defense did enough in their 6-0 loss to LA. "They scored 6 points. We lost by 6. Not enough."
While I like the attitude, it obviously isn't their fault that the Patriots are 2-10, and they'll likely do their job once again against Trubisky and the Steelers on Thursday. But will it be enough? Only time will tell.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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