A lot can change in a week in the NFL and things are not going great for the Steelers right now. They got embarrassed last week at home against one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. Pittsburgh looked unprepared and unwilling to try and find ways to succeed. That falls onto the coaches and the players.
Injuries were another big concern for the black and gold. That issue will probably play a big part in their next game against the Patriots on Thursday night. Mike Tomlin has found ways throughout his coaching tenure to help his team not sink too low or fly too high. He tries to keep their eye on the next week so the team can rebound from a loss.
Things to pay close attention to as the Patriots take on the Steelers
Another opportunity here to rebound even without Kenny Pickett in the lineup due to injury. Mitch Trubisky will get the start, and he is going to try and push the ball down the field. He needs to find a blend of the safe play that Pickett relies on while also making big throws that have higher awards than risks. Trubisky is a good enough backup that Pittsburgh should be able to win.
New England's offense is somehow worse than Pittsburgh's. They have not been able to get past the seven points in a game on offense since week nine. That is terrible and they constantly rely on their defense to keep them in games. The Steelers' offense is bad, but the Patriot's offense makes them seem like a team on the rise.
It will all come down to which defense can play better technical football and force a turnover or two to set up their offense in scoring position. Bill Belichick is still no slouch at coaching, and Mike Tomlin has been outcoached plenty throughout his career. Don't forget that New England beat the Steelers last season with Trubisky starting, so this is no easy win.
The Still Curtain writer's predictions are in the Steelers favor again
"After an utter embarrassment of a game against the Cardinals, the Steelers will look to right the ship against the New England Patriots. As we found out against the Cardinals, records mean nothing. Without Kenny Pickett, the offense will struggle but the defense will exact vengeance. Unfortunately for the Patriots, the vengeance will be exacted upon them. The defense wins this one with a pick-six to end the game." - Eric C. Hassel (Steelers 17-10)
"The offense doesn't change much from Pickett to Trubisky, especially against a stout Patriots defense. The Steelers' defense will need to come out angry from their performance Sunday against the Cardinals. The offense needs to finish drives when possible and the defense will likely need to give them short fields." - Brandon Kring (Steelers 17-6)
"The Steelers were just humiliated by the pedestrian Cardinals team. Now Pittsburgh will be without their starting quarterback. How much of a difference it will make remains to be seen, as this team could barely muster up points with Kenny Pickett in the lineup. The Steelers are facing a similar team with a stout defense and a sluggish offense. This has the makings of a barn burner. With what's at stake, I'd have to assume that Mike Tomlin's team will emerge victorious, but don't expect some impressive showing on Thursday Night Football." - Tommy Jaggi (Steelers 13, Patriots 10)
"With both teams not being very good it’s going to be a game where most people will be asleep by halftime. With the Steeler in a must-win mode now I think they pull away late." - Blaze (Steelers 10-7)
"The Steelers can't drop back-to-back games against bad teams, can they? I'm very low on this team, and the Patriots will never roll over as a team, but I can't pick against the Steelers this week. They scrape out a win." - Andrew Falce (Steelers 12-7)
"Last week’s disgusting loss to the Arizona Cardinals hopefully taught this group not to take lowly opponents lightly. Pittsburgh bounces back from a disappointing loss but much of the offense's struggles persist Thursday night against a respectable defensive unit for the Patriots. However, the Steelers defense takes advantage of Bailey Zappe and a terrible Patriots offense." - Dawson King (Steelers 17-9)
Final prediction has Week 13 issues carrying over to this game
A couple of things to look out for, the Patriots could try and get creative this week by using their numerous quarterbacks throughout the game. Trubisky will either be able to lead an effective charge this week or one that has plenty of holes and turnovers. Both teams are going to try their best to establish an effective run game.
Both defenses know that they are not playing great quarterbacks, so they will sell out and attack the trenches to stop the run game. That will then also bring pressure to the respective quarterbacks in this one. Turnovers are going to be crucial in this game. Whichever club can set up their poor offenses in scoring position most will get the best chance at a win here.
Patriots win 16-13
Another "shocking" loss here for the Steelers and this could deflate their entire season if this prediction becomes reality. The Patriots are used to coming into Pittsburgh and finding success. They don't have the same caliber of players, but neither do the Steelers. This one is another coin flip, and the same could be said for the rest of Pittsburgh's schedule.
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are going to be huge in this game. They need to apply pressure throughout the game while the defensive line stops the run game. If either of those fails, then this could be another bad week at home for the Steelers. The defense needs that pressure to get a couple of turnovers so Trubisky and company can tack on points on a short field.