3 things we learned from the Patriots win over the Steelers

Bryce Baringer might have to start a therapy group with Mac Jones to recover from the PTSD they both now have as a result of the Patriots' incompetent blocking. But personally, the biggest takeaway from this game is that officials shouldn’t decide who wins a game of football, but here we are.

The NFL will point to increased media scrutiny now that broadcasters have former officials on the commentary team pointing out errors. But the level of officiating seems to have reached its nadir as chatter about a “sky judge” intensifies.

If that was a false start, football just became even more dangerous. A center or long snapper has to look up to check where the rush is coming from, or they’ll get crushed. 

But enough of the complaining; what did we actually learn from the Patriots’ third win of the 2023 season?

Besides now knowing that Caleb Williams will have to travel the entire length of Route 66, we also learned George Pickens’ combination of frustration and despair at the Steelers’ offense was entirely justified. Maybe it wasn’t Matt Canada’s fault after all?

Lesson 1 – Speed kills but a lack of speed makes for an ugly game

In the modern NFL, teams need to have the ability to stretch the field. The longest completed pass in this game went for just 37 yards! If you’re not sure just how terrible that is, Chris Moore of the Titans has caught three passes for 40 yards or more this season. And he’s only caught 13 passes this year (and the Titans are 28th in the league).

Ironically, George Pickens has caught three passes for 40+ yards, too, but they were thrown by Kenny Pickett and not Mitchell Trubisky. 

Without DeVante Parker or Pop Douglas, the Patriots’ offense has a real lack of pace. Not just the explosive threat Douglas provides but also anyone who can make defensive backs drop deep. And Trubisky really looked like a quarterback who hadn’t been throwing to the Steelers receivers all season because he hadn’t.

It made for an interesting battle that was decided by some very thin margins. As they say, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.” 

Lesson 2 – JuJu Smith-Schuster has been neglected in this offense 

The “revenge game” narrative is not just boring but lazy journalism, too. Players don’t need “extra motivation.” The fact they earn their living performing on the field is enough.

What does seem to change, however, is how coaches approach games against players’ former teams. Not only did Smith-Schuster see his second-highest number of targets of the season, 6 (he saw 7 in Week 1 and Week 7), but Bill O’Brien managed to scheme him open a few times, too.

The Steelers’ reliance on linebackers instead of extra defensive backs helped. It allowed Smith-Schuster to separate from coverage.  

Pittsburgh was almost forced to line up with linebackers instead of defensive backs because the Patriots’ offensive line actually held up quite well against the pass rush. They seemed to miss Kwon Alexander, Cole Holcombe, and Keanu Neal, who are all on IR. And Elandon Roberts can’t get back quick enough.

Zappe was only sacked twice this week; the Chargers sacked him five times last week (Khalil Mack is still good). Better pass protection also meant the offense didn’t have to revert to throwing terrible screen passes. Speaking of which... 

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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