Week 14 comes early for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they host the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football. Here’s everything you need to know for the game!
What: New England Patriots 2-10 at Pittsburgh Steelers 7-5
Where: Acrisure Stadium Pittsburgh, PA
When: 815pmET Thursday December 7th 2023
Weather: Mostly clear and 41 degrees. Winds to 7mph.
Wagering Information: Steelers -6 O/U 30
Last Week: The Patriots lost a dreadful 6-0 contest at home to the LA Chargers while the Steelers lost an equally dreadful game at home to Arizona 24-10.
TV: Amazon Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analysis), Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area: Must have Amazon Prime in order to see this one.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis), Missi Matthews (sideline),
Max Starks (sideline)
Westwood One Radio:Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Ryan Leaf (analysis)
Head Official: Clay Martin. Martin is a high school administrator and basketball coach who graduated from Oklahoma Baptist. He’s in his sixth season as a head official. He last oversaw a Steelers’ game in week three of 2022 against Cleveland. There were ten accepted penalties in that game.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) – Out
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) – Questionable, No. 42 CB James Pierre (Shoulder) – Out, No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Groin) – Questionable, No. 61 C Mason Cole (Neck) – Questionable, No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) – Questionable NE: No. 80 WR Kayshon Boutte (Shoulder) – Out, No. 81 WR Demario Douglas (Concussion) – Out, No. 38 RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Ankle) – Out, No. 26 CB Shaun Wade (Illness) – Out, No. 90 DL Christian Barmore (Shoulder) – Questionable
No. 77 OL Trent Brown (Ankle/Hand) – Questionable, No. 1 WR DeVante Parker (Knee) – Questionable, No. 74 OL Riley Reiff (Knee) – Out, No. 7 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ankle) – Questionable
Injury Notes: A week ago, the Steelers were incredibly healthy heading into the Arizona game. Now they have significant concerns. Najee Harris didn’t practice all week and will literally be a game-time decision… In all honesty the biggest name to watch here is Elandon Roberts. When he left the game on Sunday, the Cardinals averaged three more yards per carry than when he played.
2023 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 28th NE 32nd Passing Offense: PIT 29st NE 24th Rushing Offense: PIT 14th NE 22nd
Total Defense: PIT 6th NE 15th Passing Defense: PIT 18th NE 15th Rushing Defense: PIT 21st NE 3rd
AFC North Rankings: Baltimore 9-3, Cleveland 7-5 Pittsburgh 7-5 Cincinnati 6-6
This Week in the AFC North: Indianapolis at Cincinnati 1pmET, LA Rams at Baltimore 1pmET, Jaguars at Browns 1pmET
What You Need to Know: New England has won two straight against the Steelers… Pittsburgh is 6-2 all-time against the Pats in December… Pittsburgh is 12-13 all-time on Thursday Night Football… The Pats and Steelers are tied at nine with the most home wins in TNF history… Pittsburgh is 6-2 this season in games where they win the turnover battle… The Steelers are 3-0 in night games this season… Mike Tomlin is 3-8 all-time versus New England
New England Patriots Names to Know: QB Mac Jones, QB Bailey Zappe, QB Malik Cunningham, TE Hunter Henry, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RB Ezekiel Elliott, DL Christian Barmore, DB J.C. Jackson, DB Jalen Mills,
What’s at Stake: The Patriots aren’t going anywhere in 2023. A win probably hurts them more than a loss in terms of draft position. The Steelers HAVE to win this game if they seriously want to challenge for a playoff spot. With three of the final four games on the road against current playoff teams, this one is a must.
All-Time Series: Patriots lead 18-16, Steelers lead in Pittsburgh 12-11
Last Meeting: September 2022 in Pittsburgh. Pats 17 Steelers 14
Postseason History: Pats lead 4-1
Steelers Game Highs vs NE: PASSING: 400 yards Ben Roethlisberger 11/03/2013 RUSHING: 142 yards Jaylen Samuels 12/16/2018 RECEIVING: 136 yards Mike Wallace 11/14/2010 SACKS: 3.0 Joey Porter 10/31/2014 Interceptions: 2 Gary Jones 12/05/1993
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Offense. Yeah, that’s it. I need to see some offense. I need to see drives being sustained, passes completed, and guys making plays. I need to see players line up correctly and not make the same mental errors they’ve made for the last year plus. I need to see competent play-calling and execution in the Red Zone. I need to see guys celebrate scores when it matters. It’s not going to be easy on a short week. The Pats’ defense is good especially against the run, but if this team truly wants to make the postseason then they have to get it done.
2. Don’t Give Them a Chance. The Patriots have scored less than ten points in three straight games. Their offense ranks dead last in the NFL. The Steelers cannot afford to give up touchdowns of any sort to the Patriots. We have seen what the Black and Gold look like when they have to play from behind and it’s not pretty. Regardless of who plays at QB for New England, pressure will as always, be important. Slow down the running attack, keep them in third and long situations and just keep them out of the damn end zone.
3. Don’t Turn It Over Mitch! The one thing that always scares me about Mitchell Trubisky is his penchant for turning the ball over. When you’re playing a game where literally every drive is crucial and points are at an absolute premium then you just can’t turn it over. Trubisky needs to trust his running backs and receivers. Take the open throws and go from there. If he comes out slinging it downfield right away then I’m going to be concerned. Take care of the damn ball Mitch!
Prediction: First team to ten wins?? I honestly don’t know quite what to think after what happened last week against Arizona. I have plenty of reasons to take the Pats and plenty of reasons to take the Steelers. At the end of the day, I trust Bill Belichick’s staff more right now than I do Mike Tomlin’s and that why I think this game tilts towards the Pats despite the Steelers being at home in the color rush jerseys. My other concern is Mitchell Trubisky who always seems to throw untimely interceptions. Against my better judgment…
Patriots 13 Steelers 10
Season Prediction Record: 5-7
