Many predicted that the playoff match-up between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers would eventually come. Although the Steelers struggled earlier in the year, they have been on a hot streak recently, winning nine consecutive games. They feature a very talented offense with one of the best quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers in the league. The Patriots, for all of their success this year, have not played particularly well against top-level quarterbacks. So how will the Patriots defend the Steelers?
How Will the New England Patriots Defend the Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Three-Headed Beast
Maybe that heading is a bit over dramatic. Then again maybe it isn’t. We all know Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In addition to all of the usual prerequisites he is mobile and does not go down easily, which allows him to extend plays and create. Le’Veon Bell rushed for over 1,200 yards this season, despite being suspended for the first four games. He has already rushed for 337 more yards this post season. He is dangerous coming out of the backfield where he amassed over 600 receiving yards this season. Antonio Brown finished this season second in receptions (106), fifth in receiving yards (1,284), and tied for second in receiving touchdowns (12). So yes, despite the fact that it sounds like the title of an episode of Stranger Things, a three-headed beast is an appropriate description of the Steelers’ offense.
The Passing Game
First thing is first. The Patriots must contain the quarterback in their pass rush and when they get to him they cannot miss tackles. This will prevent him from scrambling and creating big plays out of nothing. When Bell is out of the backfield, they must disrupt him. He is not a receiver by trade so he is less accustomed to getting off jams. His momentum must be thrown off as he tries to get into routes. The Patriots must be physical on him. This will have an impact on Bell as a runner later in the game as well.
Much attention will be paid this week to the match-up between Bell and Malcolm Butler. When you are dealing with a one-on-one coverage with two of the best players at their respective positions in the league it is similar to a game of blackjack; if you play long enough the house will always win. The house, in this case, is the offensive player because, in football, that is who the rules favor. Although this match-up is important and we will see man coverage, it cannot be all the Patriots do. The Patriots must use their understanding of the Steelers’ formation and situation tendencies in order to vary the coverages. They must occasionally provide help inside or over the top in man coverage and utilize a heavy dose of zone coverages as well.
The Running Game
Le’Veon Bell has been described as one of the most patient runners ever to play. The Patriots can take advantage of that. It is important for their defensive line to strike the offensive line and not allow them to get off of double teams and up to the next level. Linebackers need to be just as patient as Bell the when playing the run. This will allow another cutback and secondary contain players to get into position. His patience will hurt him if all the gaps are covered. The Patriots should use blitzes as a change up to get people in the backfield quickly and catch Bell waiting.
The Patriots vs the Steelers is a playoff match-up that has been anticipated around the league for weeks. Both teams have Super Bowl caliber talent. In order to move on the Houston, the Patriots must figure out how to contain the Steelers’ three-headed beast on offense.
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