With victories against both Ohio teams behind them, the Patriots visit their next potential victim in Pittsburgh. Those who aren't paying attention may think that it will be a battle of equally powered offenses.
A quick glimpse at the offensive rankings shows a 5-1 Patriots group heading into Pittsburgh to face the 4-2 Steelers. Both teams are ranked in the top ten overall on offense and with their passing games. As a team the Patriots are sitting at #10 with passing while the Steelers are two places ahead of them at #8. The fact that this is a team statistic and it's October 23rd 2016 is very important.
Although the Patriots have 6 games under their belts, Tom Brady has only played 2 games. While the second (Garopollo) and third string (Brissett) quarterbacks did a great job holding the fort down, they aren't Tom Brady. Besides, mixed into those passing stats is that one game where we played with a very injured Brissett whose only directions appeared to be, "don't force us into using Jules behind center".
Although the Patriots have 6 games under their belts, Tom Brady has only played 2 games. While the second (Garopollo) and third string (Brissett) quarterbacks did a great job holding the fort down, they aren't Tom Brady. Besides, mixed into those passing stats is that one game where we played with a very injured Brissett whose only directions appeared to be, "don't force us into using Jules behind center".
Stop Landry Jones- Who's Landry Jones? Well, he's the quarterback the Patriots will be facing today. While I usually get nervous when the Patriots face an unknown quarterback because you never know what's going to happen, I'm pretty confident in what's going to happen today. Looking at Jones' statistics and pre-draft notes, I've concluded that Jones is in for a rough day. He isn't a very accurate passer who needs to have his feet set. He buckles under pressure and has trouble moving out of the pocket when he feels footsteps. Of course he also feels pressure when there isn't any. Jones is a pocket passer who isn't going to make a break downfield. Moreover, Landry has trouble handing the ball off, so there goes the opportunity for DeAngelo Williams or Le'Veon Bell having a big day.
Avoid Dumb Penalties- Defensively the Patriots should have a field day at Heinz today. Of course a cheap roughing the passer or pass interference bailout whistle could give the Steelers some momentum. If we avoid giving them any momentum, it should be a nice easy victory from start to finish.
Special Teams- I don't think Ryan Allen is going to get many snaps today. If he gets one or two I'm sure it will be business as usual for him and his coverage crew. Now Gostkowski, he's going to be busy. Hopefully he will be busy kicking point afters and kicking it out of the endzone. While I'm still a proponent of using the well placed kickoff for pinning teams deep in their own end, we shouldn't have to play that game today.
Take What They Give Us Offensively- The Patriot quarterbacks have yet to throw an interception this season. This trend should continue today as Pittsburgh's defense isn't very good. They are ranked 28th on defense when it comes to yards given up. Without having their quarterback there to hold onto the ball and eat some time off the clock, I expect them to allow over 450 yards to the Patriots. I'd say they might give up more, but with a short field and some defensive takeaways, there will only be so many yards available.
Avoid Dumb Penalties- Defensively the Patriots should have a field day at Heinz today. Of course a cheap roughing the passer or pass interference bailout whistle could give the Steelers some momentum. If we avoid giving them any momentum, it should be a nice easy victory from start to finish.
Special Teams- I don't think Ryan Allen is going to get many snaps today. If he gets one or two I'm sure it will be business as usual for him and his coverage crew. Now Gostkowski, he's going to be busy. Hopefully he will be busy kicking point afters and kicking it out of the endzone. While I'm still a proponent of using the well placed kickoff for pinning teams deep in their own end, we shouldn't have to play that game today.
Take What They Give Us Offensively- The Patriot quarterbacks have yet to throw an interception this season. This trend should continue today as Pittsburgh's defense isn't very good. They are ranked 28th on defense when it comes to yards given up. Without having their quarterback there to hold onto the ball and eat some time off the clock, I expect them to allow over 450 yards to the Patriots. I'd say they might give up more, but with a short field and some defensive takeaways, there will only be so many yards available.
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