Then and Now: Steelers a different team than last Patriots match-up

There’s an entire segment of analysts and fans who don’t realize how long ago Week 7 was.

In football terms, it’s an eternity.

It’s even longer if you consider all of the players who weren’t part of, or didn’t play a major role, in the previously played regular season game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Big Ben

The biggest asterisks on the Patriots victory over the Steelers during their first meeting is the fact that it came with Landry Jones starting at quarterback.

This time around, the Patriots will be facing a fully healthy Ben Roethlisberger.

Even with Landry Jones at the helm, the Steelers had a solid game against the Patriots. Antonio Brown was still a factor, gaining over 100 receiving yards, but even he was out-snapped by fellow receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, as Brown left the game monetarily, with what looked like a tweaked quad muscle.

Sammie Coates briefly appeared two weeks after breaking his fingers against the Jets. Practice squad call up, Cobi Hamilton, made his second-ever start, while Eli Rogers was active, but had just gotten out of a walking boot, and did not play.

Rogers has proven to be the Steelers 2nd best wide receiver this season; his presence will greatly help the offense.

Obviously, even with those names mentioned, having Ben in the lineup, will make this offense completely different. Ben hasn’t been at his best in recent games, but we all know his potential level in big games. He knows he can’t make mistakes if this team is going to make it the Super Bowl, so I expect Ben to be prepared and ready to play on Sunday.

Run game resurgence

During their first meeting, Le’Veon Bell rushed for 81 yards; a respectable number.

However, over the last couple of weeks, 81 yards is something we expect from Bell in a single half!

In this last 3 games Bell has rushed for 170, 167, and 122 yards.

Over his last 8 games Bell has rushed for an average of 146.5 yards per games.

Bell’s postseason has been historic, breaking the Steelers single game rushing record in a postseason game twice (last week, breaking his own record from the week before).

Even with a third-ranked run defense, there’s no reason to think the Patriots will be able to stop Bell.

Though Bell gets the statistics, the credit for this run game resurgence goes to a dominant offensive line and a tenacious fullback. The Steelers offensive line has been nothing short of elite in recent games, and they too were short-handed playing against the Patriots in Week 7. RT Marcus Gilbert was injured weeks prior, and his backup, Ryan Harris, not only ended up injured as well, but landed on IR.

In Gilbert’s place against New England, the Steelers were forced to move guard Chris Hubbard to tackle, a position he hadn’t played since college, and only did so then on occasion.

The Steelers also didn’t use Roosevelt Nix much during the first meeting, as the fullback was still recovering from his own injuries, and working himself into football shapre. (Nix only played 2 snaps on offense.)

While Nix doesn’t play 100% of the offensive snaps, he’s still a valuable piece to the running game, and pass blocking, and has been a fixture during the Steelers 9-game winning streak.

New starters

The Steelers have a handful of new, and now full-time, starters when compared to week 7.

James Harrison is now a full-time starter at ROLB, previously rotating with Jarvis JonesBud Dupree is also a full-time starter at LOLB, having been on Injured Reserve in week 7. Both linebackers have been productive and impactful thus far in the playoffs, creating sacks and turnovers.

William Gay played as the outside at corner, while Artie Burns worked his way into a full-time role. This had a ripple effect on Sean Davis, who is now the Steelers starting strong safety, after filling in at nickel corner for the previously slated starter, the injured Senquez Golson.

With Burns starting, Gay slides into his natural nickel DB position, and Davis returns to the spot he was previously drafted to play.

Davis’ presence brings speed and athleticism to the defense that wasn’t as prevalent in week 7. The secondary is vastly improved, and since earning his starting spot, the Steelers have yet to lose a game.

Ryan Shazier was also returning from a lingering injury, and shared time at inside linebacker with Vince Williams. Shazier is the defensive play-caller, the QB on the other side of the ball, and a game-changer. (Need we say more?)

And yet another player could return this Sunday, who wasn’t on the field against the Patriots in Week 7. Ladarius Green is questionable for the game, but if he is able to suit up he will add a new dimension to our offense that the Patriots have never seen before.

All of this points toward a different Steelers squad than the Patriots saw in October: and unlike most teams this time of the year, it’s for the better. A more experienced, and healthier Pittsburgh Steelers team strolls into Foxborough to do what nobody is giving them a chance to do.

Win.


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