What the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do in order to defeat the Patriots

The Steelers will win if offensively…

The big key for the Steelers offense will be what has worked for them in the past against the Patriots: controlling the clock and effective ground game.

Last year in Heinz Field, Pittsburgh averaged 6.3 per rush while chewing up the slight majority of the clock (30:49 possession time.) Jaylen Samuels recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game with 142 big ones. This was ultimately the deciding factor as it allowed the defense to be a little more rested and threw the Patriots off balance defensively.

Rewind a little more to 2011. Though the Steelers only recorded 98 yards and 4.3 per attempt in the rushing game, it was sufficient enough to consume nearly 40 minutes of possession time. Add in the dink and dunk passing attack that was led by Heath Miller’s 7 receptions for 85 yards, and the Steelers had an effective game plan in a massive victory at that point in their season.

The Steelers should be loaded with running concepts to attack the Patriots. Over the last 5 match-ups (including playoffs) the Steelers have recorded 100 yards rushing total in 3 match-ups—all three in a win or loss within 7 points or less.

You don’t need to get into a track meet with the Patriots. You want your defense to be rested and able to adequately adjust while they are on the sideline. This is something the Patriots excel in.

A balanced attack and clock draining offense will help the Steelers try to come away with a victory in Gillette Stadium for the first time in 11 years—a team that was without Tom Brady.