Coming off an unpleasant home-opener loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to a spot the place they haven’t gained since 2008: Foxboro.
The journey to Foxboro brings one other robust matchup for the Steelers towards a bodily opponent, this time within the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh is banged up defensively and has had points stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. It gained’t get any simpler this week towards the Patriots, led by second-year QB Drake Maye.
The Steelers’ protection isn’t the one unit struggling, both. The offensive line hasn’t been capable of set up a run recreation or constantly shield Aaron Rodgers. The Patriots have the most effective run defenses by two weeks within the NFL, and so they lead the NFL in sacks with 9.
Issues don’t look all that nice for the Steelers on paper. However that’s why they play the video games.
Following what we did final 12 months right here at Steelers Depot, myself, Joe Clark, Ross McCorkle, Scott Brown, Troy Montgomery, Jake Brockhoff and Dr. Melanie Friedlander will reply 4 key questions weekly, previewing the video games.
Let’s speak in regards to the Steelers’ Week 3 street journey to tackle the Patriots.
QUESTION 1: WHO IS THE STEELERS’ X FACTOR AGAINST THE PATRIOTS?
Josh Carney: ILB Payton Wilson. He’s been so up and down early in his second season within the NFL. He stays an athletic freak on the inside, one which has nice vary. However he’s struggled with getting off blocks and making performs towards the run. New England will run proper at him this week. He wants to indicate he’s discovered from the primary two weeks and begin performing higher towards the run.
Joe Clark: The Steelers’ offensive line. Can’t simply take one participant right here. The road has struggled to run block by the primary two weeks of the season, and Aaron Rodgers has been hit an excessive amount of. The Patriots lead the NFL in sacks by two weeks, and getting the run recreation going is important. They want a giant recreation to beat New England.
Ross McCorkle: ILB Cole Holcomb. It sounds just like the Steelers intend on utilizing him extra on protection, probably to share snaps with Payton Wilson, who has been struggling by two weeks to date. He may enhance the run protection, however will the Patriots attempt to decide on him in protection?
Scott Brown: Particular groups coordinator Danny Smith. It’s too simplistic to say that the Steelers have already gained a recreation and misplaced a recreation due to particular groups — however not by a lot. Smith has most likely been sleeping at Steelers headquarters this week, and man wouldn’t it be good timing for Bazooka Danny to scheme up certainly one of his patented punt blocks. In what is predicted be one other shut recreation, a particular groups play may very well be the distinction.
Troy Montgomery: WR DK Metcalf. By two weeks, Metcalf has made some performs, however he hasn’t been as dominant because the Steelers would really like him to be. Drop points have plagued him as properly. That every one wants to alter this week. The Patriots’ secondary has main points, with their go protection being ranked useless final within the league. They’ve a formidable go rush, however Metcalf ought to have alternatives to make performs.
Jake Brockhoff: ILB Patrick Queen. The Steelers have been gashed up the center by their first two video games. Payton Wilson and the inside of the line of defense haven’t been nice, however a number of that drawback lies with the person carrying the inexperienced dot. Queen is seeking to rebound after a tricky finish to his first season with the Steelers, however he hasn’t gotten off to the best begin. He must be as dependable as doable up the center to masks the remainder of the Steelers’ points there.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. The Steelers had been roundly mocked for essentially the most predictable and primary offense underneath former OC Matt Canada. It didn’t get a lot better in Smith’s first season with the staff final 12 months, however Smith known as a very good recreation within the win over the Jets. It wasn’t all dangerous towards the Seahawks both, because the run recreation began to indicate some life. Dealing with an imposing go rush however a leaky secondary in New England, Smith might want to discover methods to present Aaron Rodgers time to remain upright and join along with his receivers. Smith will even be going through a defensive minded HC in Mike Vrabel that he is aware of properly, after serving underneath him because the tight ends coach after which OC in Tennessee throughout Vrabel’s tenure because the Titans head coach.
QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE MATCHUP TO WATCH IN STEELERS-PATRIOTS?
Josh Carney: Steelers RG Mason McCormick vs. Patriots DT Milton Williams. The Patriots transfer Williams all around the defensive entrance, however he’s performed greater than half of his 88 snaps at DT over proper guard. It’ll be a tricky project for McCormick. Williams has 9 pressures and two sacks by two weeks. McCormick has allowed two pressures all season, however has a forty five.5 general go blocking grade from Professional Soccer Focus.
Joe Clark: Patriots CB vs. DK Metcalf. Leaving it obscure right here since Christian Gonzalez’s standing is up within the air for Sunday. If Gonzalez makes his debut, it turns into a harder matchup for Metcalf however he might have some rust given how lengthy he’s been out. If Gonzalez can’t play, then it’ll most likely be Carlton Davis towards Metcalf. The Steelers want Metcalf to get again on observe after being restricted in Week 2, and whoever he’s up towards can play a significant factor.
Ross McCorkle: Patriots DT Milton Williams vs. Steelers Inside Offensive Line. Williams was the Patriots’ prize free agent signing this offseason, and has carried over his spectacular playoff run with the Eagles into the 2025 season. Aaron Rodgers can navigate some stress off the sting (at occasions), however he isn’t going to have the ability to escape if the inside pocket is collapsing. Zach Frazier, Isaac Seumalo, and Mason McCormick must guarantee that doesn’t occur.
Scott Brown: RB Jaylen Warren vs. LB Robert Spillane. Can we please see what Warren does with an RB1 workload? His working fashion is downright indignant, and he has some wiggle too. Let Kenneth Gainwell returns kicks and catch the stray go out of the backfield. Like Warren, Spillane additionally performs with the sting of an undrafted participant as Derrick Henry can attest. Spillane and Warren might collide early and sometimes at Gillette Stadium.
Troy Montgomery: Steelers RT Troy Fautanu vs. Patriots OLB Harold Landry III. Final week, Fautanu didn’t have his greatest recreation. There’s no motive to panic about that, although. He’s nonetheless getting acclimated to the NFL. Nonetheless, he’ll have one other large check this week. Landry leads the Patriots in sacks with 3.5. He’s been a productive go rusher for years, with 54 careers sacks underneath his belt. Fautanu might want to bounce again and be at his greatest this week.
Jake Brockhoff: Steelers OLB Nick Herbig vs. Patriots LT Will Campbell. The Steelers could wish to see T.J. Watt transfer round on Sunday, so Herbig may get seems on each side of the road. Nonetheless, most of them will most likely come towards Campbell. Herbig had a giant interception final week, and with Alex Highsmith injured the Steelers want him to have a giant recreation. They’ll hope Herbig’s two further years of NFL expertise assist him get the very best of Campbell Sunday.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Steelers offensive line vs. the Patriots go rush. The younger Pittsburgh o-line has struggled within the first two weeks and their 41-year-old quarterback has been hit too many occasions, as opposing groups have registered seven sacks on Rodgers already. The Patriots added defensive lineman Milton Williams, contemporary off a Tremendous Bowl victory, in addition to EDGE Harold Landry, and that has already paid dividends. The revamped New England line of defense has a mixed 39 pressures, together with 9 sacks and one other six QB hits. Broderick Jones and firm could have their palms full.
QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO THE GAME FOR THE STEELERS?
Josh Carney: Run the soccer constantly, keep out of apparent passing conditions. The Steelers offensive line has struggled early within the season, each in go safety and working the soccer. They’ve to start out producing this week. New England permits simply 58.5 speeding yards per recreation, so it gained’t be straightforward. However Pittsburgh has to discover a strategy to run the soccer, taking some stress off of Aaron Rodgers and the passing recreation.
Joe Clark: Give Aaron Rodgers time within the pocket. The Steelers can beat a number of groups if Rodgers has time, and towards a go rush that includes Milton Williams and Harold Landry, it’s going to be important.
Ross McCorkle: Contain the tight ends. They’ve far an excessive amount of expertise for the collective TE room to have simply seven receptions for 58 yards an a jet sweep landing by two video games. It’s time for Arthur Smith’s tight finish pleasant offense to indicate itself.
Scott Brown: Sack Patriots QB Drake Maye at the very least 3 times. It’s time for the NFL’s highest-paid protection to stop enjoying like Steelers shopped for it at Gabe’s. If the Steelers make life depressing for Maye which means they first snuffed out the Patriots’ working recreation. Hey, stranger issues have occurred.
Troy Montgomery: Assault the Patriots downfield. The Steelers haven’t been capable of run the ball properly this 12 months. Whereas they shouldn’t abandon their floor recreation, this week, they need to let Aaron Rodgers take pictures down the sphere. The Patriots’ go protection is certainly one of their largest weaknesses. The Steelers’ protection may wrestle once more, however their offense could make up for that by hitting some large performs.
Jake Brockhoff: Good offensive line play. You may say this each week, nevertheless it’s turn into the largest drawback on the Steelers’ offense. They aren’t opening sufficient holes, which doesn’t enable the Steelers to run the ball constantly. Meaning play-action isn’t working, forcing Aaron Rodgers to take a seat within the pocket. Even in these situations, they aren’t defending him properly sufficient. The road was the largest query on this offense coming into the 12 months, and they should present some enchancment.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Execution and method. When issues begin to crumble in all three phases of the sport, it’s time to concentrate on the fundamentals. That doesn’t imply making the scheme easy and vanilla. The Steelers simply want to scrub up communication, keep on with their assignments (we’re taking a look at you, Calvin Austin and Darius Slay), and play a clear recreation. If they will restrict drops, missed tackles and missed assignments, they got here come away from this recreation 2-1.
QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR STEELERS AT PATRIOTS?
Josh Carney: I felt good in regards to the Steelers possibilities within the first two weeks of the season. However I used to be manner improper in Week 2. I don’t be ok with this journey to Foxboro. The Patriots have a bodily protection that shuts down the run and hunts the QB. Drake Maye is turning into a very good QB and has a trio of playmaking RBs to work with. I don’t see a solution for Pittsburgh on this one. Patriots 24, Steelers 19
Joe Clark: The Steelers can’t beat the Patriots in New England. And coming off a tough Week 2 loss, it’s going to be panic time in Pittsburgh subsequent week, particularly after the protection struggles once more. Patriots 31, Steelers 23
Ross McCorkle: It’s laborious to belief the Steelers after two lackluster video games, however I additionally don’t suppose they’re doomed to be a sub-500 staff but. Dropping back-to-back video games has been unusual within the Tomlin period, even when successful in Foxboro is uncommon. Steelers 23, Patriots 19
Scott Brown: The Steelers have remained slight favorites despite all of the accidents on an already reeling protection. And with the sky closing in on Pittsburgh. I don’t belief this staff, however Vegas prints cash for a motive. That is precisely the type of recreation Mike Tomlin constantly finds a strategy to win. Steelers 24, Patriots 13
Troy Montgomery: It’s a story as outdated as time. The Steelers go into New England feeling good about their possibilities at victory, solely to lose in disappointing trend. Each groups have modified loads, however I nonetheless don’t see the Steelers beating the Patriots. Neither their protection nor their offense offers me confidence in them. New 12 months, identical outcome. Patriots 30, Steelers 20
Jake Brockhoff: I believed the Steelers would come out with a detailed win towards Seattle, and boy was I improper. Nonetheless, regardless that it’s not all clicking, the Steelers have an excessive amount of expertise for this rebuilding Patriots roster. I don’t have a number of confidence in Pittsburgh’s protection, particularly towards an offense that awakened in Week 2. Nonetheless, the Steelers come house with an unpleasant win. Steelers 16, Patriots 14
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: The Steelers and the Patriots have comparable challenges on offense, as each groups try to get their run video games going. Each groups will seemingly rely extra on their passing recreation to transfer the ball and put up factors, so it could come right down to which staff’s protection will get extra stops or forces extra turnovers. The Patriots have momentum coming off a tricky win in Miami, and I feel they pull off one other one on Sunday. Patriots 27, Steelers 23
