‘TNF’ preview: Look away! Patriots-Steelers will test your love for football

This is what to look at for throughout this lackluster begin to Week 14. 

WHEN THE PATRIOTS ARE ON OFFENSE

T.J. Watt: Since New England’s offense stinks, let’s begin with the most effective participant on the sector when the Patriots have the ball. Watt is second within the league with 14 sacks, and per data from Pro Football Focus, he’s sixth in complete pressures (61). He is additionally ninth in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings whereas the Patriots as a workforce rank final in pass-block win price. 

Huge receiver Demario Douglas: Just about the one respectable factor about New England’s offense is the emergence of Douglas, who was drafted within the sixth spherical (210th total) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He leads the workforce with 410 receiving yards, or 1,071 lower than Dolphins large receiver Tyreek Hill. He is in concussion protocol, leaving doubt about his capacity to play in opposition to the Steelers. If he is unable to go, the Patriots offense may be DOA.

Who begins at quarterback… and does it matter? Whether or not Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe (or some man New England hires off the road) begins on Thursday night time is irrelevant. The offense can be rubbish irrespective of whom head coach Invoice Belichick picks. Since Week 10, New England has averaged 4.3 factors per recreation and gone 0-3. 

Al Michaels’ sanity: The legendary broadcaster has taken criticism for what some understand as his less-than-enthusiastic commentating this season, but it surely’s simply as truthful to argue that he offers “Thursday Evening Soccer” the vitality it deserves. 

Per the Sports activities Enterprise Journal, when discussing one significantly dreadful “TNF” recreation in Week 5 final season, a 12-9 extra time win for the Colts over the Broncos, Michaels told the outlet, “Actually, at one level in the course of the recreation, I mentioned to Kirk [Herbstreit], ‘Is it doable this recreation might be so dangerous that it is really good?'”

This recreation will seemingly result in Michaels asking Herbstreit extra philosophical questions and possibly even his early retirement.

WHEN THE STEELERS ARE ON OFFENSE

Mitchell Trubisky: Starter Kenny Pickett was ruled out for Week 14 with an ankle damage. As anemic as Pittsburgh’s offense is that this season, possibly Trubisky can present a spark. He is a serviceable backup with a profession 64.1 completion proportion, 70 landing passes and 45 interceptions.  

“I will be aggressive,” Trubisky told the Steelers team website on Tuesday. 

That growth can be welcomed. This season, Pickett ranks twenty eighth in makes an attempt 20 yards or extra downfield.

George Pickens: A extra aggressive offense would profit Pickens. Of the engaging second-year wideout’s 76 targets, solely 15, or 19.7 p.c, have been on deep routes. He has seven receptions, 224 yards and a landing on these targets however has taken a backseat to Diontae Johnson since he returned from a hamstring damage in Week 7. The Steelers must take extra pictures on offense, and Pickens offers them the most effective probability of connecting on these massive performs.

Patriots rush protection: New England is stout in opposition to the run, permitting 88.7 yards per recreation, third within the league. Per RotoWire, the Patriots permit the fewest yards per carry to operating backs, which is able to drive Trubisky to should beat them along with his arm.

Jaylen Warren: New England’s run protection may restrict Najee Harris, however backup Warren might be an enormous issue. The Patriots rank 18th in receiving yards allowed to operating backs. Warren is second on the Steelers in receptions (38). Pittsburgh should exploit his one-on-one matchups to fabricate offense that in any other case may be onerous to return by.