3 things we learned from the Patriots win over the Steelers
By Rhys Knott
Lesson 3 - Zeke is going to have a long career as a 3rd down back in this offense
He only managed 3.1 yards per run despite having 22 carries. But he caught 7 passes for 72 yards. Passing to the running backs in this Bill O’Brien offense has usually involved desperate screen passes that aren’t screened very well, resulting in the back getting blown up, often in the backfield.
Elliott never really showed the burst that made him a Cowboys legend on a very dusty field at Acrisure Stadium. But his football smarts allowed him to leak out into the flat or find a space in the zone coverage for an easy completion.
A running back catching more passes than any of the receivers is usually a damning indictment on an offense. But when that back is a 3-time Pro Bowler, and the receiving corps is “mid,” it’s understandable. And more importantly, a win is a win.
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