{"id":72468,"date":"2019-09-07T08:17:07","date_gmt":"2019-09-07T12:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=72468"},"modified":"2019-09-07T08:23:23","modified_gmt":"2019-09-07T12:23:23","slug":"new-england-patriots-week-one-preview-pittsburgh-steelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/09\/07\/new-england-patriots-week-one-preview-pittsburgh-steelers\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Week One Preview: Stopping the Pittsburgh Steelers Offense"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time since February, the New England Patriots are getting ready to play a meaningful game of football. Last year, New England lost a Week 15 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and looked uncharacteristically bad for that point in the season. The Patriots changed their identity on the fly and ended up winning Super Bowl LIII behind a great defense, an elite offensive line, and Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s classic magic<\/a>. The Patriots are facing off against the last team to beat team, but can they topple their old foe in the season opener? Let\u2019s take a look at how New England can stop Pittsburgh\u2019s offense in the Patriots Week One preview.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots Week One Preview: Stopping Juju Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers Offense<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Take Away Juju Smith-Schuster<\/h3>\n

The Steelers look quite a bit different since the last time these two teams met up. Antonio Brown<\/a><\/strong> is out of town and making all the wrong headlines in Oakland. Say what you will about his off-field antics, but his on-field presence had an immeasurable effect on their offense. With Brown gone, the Patriots should devote the majority of their defensive focus to taking away Juju Smith-Schuster<\/strong><\/a>. While he\u2019s not on Brown\u2019s level, Smith-Schuster is one of the better young receivers in the league and is at an age where he should only improve with experience. The rest of Pittsburgh\u2019s wide receivers leave a lot to be desired, so New England can dramatically hinder Pittsburgh\u2019s passing attack if they can take away Juju.<\/p>\n

Conventional wisdom suggests that the Patriots use Stephon Gilmore<\/a><\/strong> to take away Smith-Schuster. Gilmore is coming off the best season of his career and played like a true lockdown corner throughout 2018. He certainly has what it takes to stop Smith-Schuster, but the Patriots could try a different tactic in Week One.<\/p>\n

Last year, New England had J.C. Jackson<\/a><\/strong> match up with Smith-Schuster while Gilmore covered Antonio Brown. The rookie was up for the task, holding Smith-Schuster to just four receptions for 40 yards on 10 targets. Jackson, combined with a safety over the top, should eliminate Smith-Schuster from making an impact. This would free up Gilmore to take away either Donte Moncrief<\/a><\/strong> or James Washington<\/a><\/strong> by himself. Just like that, the Patriots can take away two of the three biggest threats in Pittsburgh\u2019s passing attack.<\/p>\n

Take Away Vance McDonald<\/h3>\n

The Patriots cornerbacks should be able to take away the wide receivers, but somebody\u2019s going to need to cover Vance McDonald<\/a><\/strong>. The obvious choice for the role is Patrick Chung<\/a><\/strong>, as New England\u2019s longtime safety excels in this type of role. Chances are, the Patriots use Chung as the primary option to take away McDonald. However, New England always has a backup plan ready in case Plan A fails.<\/p>\n

Chung suffered a broken arm in Super Bowl LIII and hasn\u2019t played any meaningful snaps since the injury. While he should be at peak health for Week One, you never really know until you see him on the field. If Chung struggles in his season debut, Joejuan Williams<\/strong><\/a> could be in store for a big game. As previously discussed<\/a>, New England\u2019s second-round rookie is basically Brandon Browner<\/a><\/strong> all over again. Williams matches up well against bigger wide receivers and tight ends and can play safety if required. Williams looked good in the preseason and throughout camp and should be up for the task if Chung struggles.<\/p>\n

Invite the Run<\/h3>\n

The Patriots have the pieces to slow Pittsburgh\u2019s passing game, but it\u2019s hard to completely stop a unit with this much talent. Even without Brown, Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/strong> is still a top quarterback and he\u2019ll find a way to move the ball through the air. New England should focus on stopping the pass and trust their front to slow down the running game.<\/p>\n

Passing is significantly more effective than running, and New England can indirectly slow Pittsburgh\u2019s offense by baiting them into early-down running plays. New England did this last year to masterful results. With James Conner<\/a><\/strong> out, Jaylen Samuels<\/a> <\/strong>ran wild for 142 yards on 19 carries. However, the Patriots stopped the run when they needed to, and putting all their resources in defending the pass limited the Steelers to just 17 points. While New England didn\u2019t win, the defense was not the reason for the loss.<\/p>\n

New England\u2019s front seven is significantly better now than it was the last time these two teams met. Danny Shelton<\/a><\/strong> sat out 2018\u2019s matchup, and New England\u2019s rush defense was considerably better<\/a> with him on the field. The former Cleveland Brown has looked great in the preseason and should provide a sizable upgrade from Malcom Brown<\/a><\/strong>. Additionally, Byron Cowart<\/strong><\/a> made a few splash plays in the preseason and could be a good rotational run-stuffer for New England.<\/p>\n

New England\u2019s linebackers could be the best in recent memory. Dont\u2019a Hightower<\/strong><\/a> and Kyle Van Noy<\/a><\/strong> are both above-average starters, and the depth is ridiculous. Jamie Collins<\/a><\/strong> reportedly is playing like his 2014 self, Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley<\/strong><\/a> looked like a future star last year, and Elandon Roberts<\/a><\/strong> might be the best fifth-string linebacker in football. With this much talent in the middle of the defense, New England should be able to limit the run game while playing in nickel and dime sets. If the Patriots can execute these aspects of the Week One preview, then they should start the year with a 1-0 record.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>