Patriots at Steelers: Game preview, odds, prediction
By James Dudko
Beating the new England Patriots is never easy, but the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to do it without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Week 7.
Big Ben will miss the game at Heinz Field after surgery to repair a knee injury. He’ll now be out for 4-6 weeks, according to NFL on ESPN. It’s obviously a huge blow for a Steelers team that came off the rails against the struggling Miami Dolphins last week.
The Black and Gold will be really irked by the knowledge that with Roethlisberger under center, they’re the most likely obstacle to the Pats dominating the AFC once again.
With Roethlisberger throwing passes, the Steelers boast the most versatile and dynamic offense in the NFL. His injury could waste a stable of brilliant receivers led by Antonio Brown and supplemented by Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Without a game-breaking passing attack, Pittsburgh’s ground game will become New England’s focus. It’s bad news even for a one-two punch as effective as Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams.
The Patriots are one of the league’s best at exploiting one-dimensional teams. They are especially adept at stuffing the run, thanks to mammoth defensive tackles Alan Branch and Malcom Brown.
Odds
Line: NE (-7)
Over/Under: 46
This hulking duo represent the unsung heroes of an underrated Patriots defense. But the keys are inside linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins. Head coach Bill Belichick and coordinator Matt Patricia love to send this duo on delayed blitzes through the A-gaps.
Wrecking the ground game will increase the heat on Landry Jones to make sure Roethlisberger isn’t missed. He’s got the arm strength to fit the deep passing game Steelers OC Todd Haley loves.
For his part, Belichick isn’t getting overly confident because Jones will be starting. He’s been complimentary about the scheme and personnel around Jones, per Zack Cox of NESN.com:
"(He’s) athletic, good arm, quick release, doesn’t hold the ball. I thought he played well last year when he played in Arizona and Kansas City. (He had) some shots in the preseason. Another good player, experienced player, knows their system. They have a lot of experienced players in their system."
But Belichick reserved his highest praise for the versatile Bell, according to Matt Dolloff of CBS Boston:
"Oh my God. Tremendous player. Great hands, can catch the ball, very quick, makes people miss, strong, breaks tackles, excellent balance, tough, doesn’t run out of bounds, fights for extra yardage … great player."
Expect the Pats to zero in on No. 26 for every play.
Of course, Pittsburgh’s bigger worry might not be how to move the ball without Roethlisberger. Instead, head coach Mike Tomlin may lose sleep over how to nullify Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
The four-time Super Bowl winner has been exceptional since returning from suspension. Brady has thrown six touchdowns without an interception in two starts.
As well as he’s played, No. 12 has benefited enormously from a high-percentage system featuring several QB-friendly targets. Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett are deadly in the red zone, while James White is steadily emerging as a useful pair of hands out of the backfield.
Of course, the Steelers and their linebacker-led defense should be able to shackle underneath threats. But much will depend on who is available. Specifically, inside linebacker Ryan Shazier and pass-rushing defensive tackle Cameron Heyward need to be on the field.
If they can’t go Sunday, it will be on veteran Lawrence Timmons to lead the linebacker corps. However, it will be more important for linemen Stephon Tuitt and rookie Javon Hargrave to pressure the pocket from the inside. Brady is still a pretty stationary target, so the Steelers must collapse the middle.
The Steelers have been zone-heavy defensively for most of the 2016 season. It’s an approach that could serve them well against a team that’s traditionally burned the blitz in Pittsburgh.
Next: Ben Roethlisberger injury update: Likely out 4-6 weeks
The Steelers still have enough talent to win most games without Roethlisberger, but the Patriots will be too tough a proposition.
Pick: Patriots 27, Steelers 17