After a heartbreaking loss to the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots really need a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In one of their biggest games of the season, the Patriots Big Three should have a monumental impact.

Gronk, Edelman and Gordon Should Wreak Havoc on Steelers Secondary

Steelers Defensive Outlook

In their last three games, all losses, the Steelers have allowed 169 yards to Raiders receivers, 258 receiving yards to Chargers receivers, and 113 yards to Broncos receivers.

In the game against the Raiders, the Steelers allowed 148 receiving yards to tight ends. In the game against the Chargers, they allowed zero receiving yards to tight ends. In the game against the Broncos, they allowed 78 receiving yards to tight ends.

The Broncos game was the last time the Steelers did not have someone catch for 100+ yards against them, but it is worth noting that no pass-catcher, whether running back, tight end or wide receiver, topped 65 yards in the four games prior against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns. Christian McCaffrey came closest with 61 in the Steelers blowout win at home.

Another significant statistic that jumps out is receiving touchdowns. In these last three games, the Steelers have allowed two receiving touchdowns per game. In Oakland, Derek Carrier and Lee Smith pulled down scores, both tight ends. For the Chargers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. For the Broncos, Emmanuel Sanders and Matt LaCosse.

Sorry, James White. Looks like you won’t be catching many touchdowns this week.

The Big Three

Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon were terrific (on offense) in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Gronk

Gronkowski is coming off a strong receiving week, and all signs point to the star tight end being completely healthy going into this high-stakes matchup. Last season, Gronk diced the Steelers secondary for 168 yards. His success largely came on short and intermediate passes outside the left hash. Pittsburgh is currently the second-worst team in the league in DVOA against tight ends and have struggled against the deep ball over the middle, another area where Gronk thrived. Gronk should come up big this week to build on an outstanding showing in Miami.

In fact, Gronk has made a career out of making a fool of the Steelers defense. In six career regular-season games, he’s only been held to less than 90 yards once, and that was back in 2010. Oh yeah, he also scored three touchdowns in that game.

Edelman

Edelman’s career looks a little less impressive against the Steelers, averaging a measly 42 yards over four games. But averages are misleading, and in his last two appearances against Pittsburgh, Edelman caught 11 of 12 and nine of ten targets. The sure-handed receiver will be targeted often in short passing — and likely very clutch — situations.

Of note, the Steelers are reportedly considering a change at nickel corner. Mike Hilton wasn’t awful in last week’s loss to the Raiders, but nonetheless, the Steelers are considering starting Cameron Sutton in the slot. Sutton has not taken more than three meaningful snaps since week eight. The change could provide Edelman more opportunities to shred the Steelers.

Gordon

As a former Cleveland Brown, Gordon has significant experience against the Steelers, but his success has been spotty. One of the benefits of having Josh Gordon in this team is that he’s already played the Steelers this year. In week one, Gordon caught one of his three targets for 17 yards and a score.

He’ll likely see more of Joe Haden in this week’s matchup with plenty of help from the Steelers safeties. Haden has been terrific for the Steelers this season, leading the team in passes defensed with ten, a possible factor in Gordon’s lack of looks in week one.

Gordon has become the team’s yards-after-catch monster, good for getting the big plays that set a defense back on their heels. Against Miami, Gordon averaged 10.2 yards after the catch per reception, good for second-best in the league among receivers with 5 or more receptions in week 14. While his receptions may continue to be limited because of double coverage and clumsy hands, expect him to add to his resume. In his last four games, Gordon has caught for 305 yards, and that’s not a statistic to ignore heading into this matchup.

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