Five Key Match-ups to Watch: New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers
By Hal Bent
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New England SWR Julian Edelman (and Danny Amendola) vs Pittsburgh NCB Brandon Boykin
The Pittsburgh Steelers were fortunate to pick-up Philadelphia Eagles nickel cornerback Brandon Boykin from the Philadelphia Eagles during their offseason fire sale. Boykin is undersized at just five-foot-nine and 180 pounds, but he is quick and aggressive which makes a great fit for a nickel corner. Boykin usually plays about half the snaps on defense but with New England’s dynamic duo of Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola he may find himself playing more.
In 2013 against the Steelers, the Patriots lit the defense up with 55 points in week nine. New England played most of the game with two tight ends and two wide receivers only mixing in three wide receivers for about one-third the snaps. Remember, this was Michael Hoomanawanui as the second tight end, not receiving threat Scott Chandler who joined New England this year. The Steelers put cornerback Ike Taylor on Edelman much of that game and held him to just one reception (all stats per Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted).
However, in that game cornerback William Gay was miscast covering the tall and rangy Aaron Dobson and slot cornerback Shamarko Thomas struggled to cover Amendola. The addition of Boykin is a major upgrade at nickel cornerback for the Steelers over Thomas and 2014 nickel corner Brice McClain. However, with an injury to rookie second round draft pick cornerback Senquez Golson, fourth round draft pick Doran Grant on the practice squad, and the retirement of Ike Taylor, the Steelers are thin at cornerback. Add in Troy Polamalu’s retirement and Shamarko Thomas struggling to replace him in the preseason, it could be tough to cover the
Pittsburgh will lean on Boykin to be a key player as William Gay is a solid number two cornerback, but is miscast as the top corner. Cortez Allen was brutal last season and is being challenged by Jacksonville cast-off Antwon Blake who was plucked off the waiver wire. Boykin is stepping into a new defense and is going to be expected to anchor the secondary.
Boykin will have a tough match-up with Amendola and Edelman. Put that duo on another team and they may be seldom-used special teams contributors; however, in New England’s quick-hit offense they are a perfect fit. Even if one is covered by Boykin, the other will have an easy match-up and the Steelers may have to pick their poison. Even if Boykin is spectacular, it is near impossible to stay on top of this duo.
The Patriots will be looking to get the ball to Edelman early and often to get him into the flow on offense. If he is able to make a few catches on Boykin early, it could lead to a long night for the Steelers’ secondary.
Next: How does Pittsburgh slow down Chandler Jones?