‘TNF’ preview: Look away! Patriots-Steelers will test your love for football

Here’s what to watch for during this lackluster start to Week 14. 

WHEN THE PATRIOTS ARE ON OFFENSE

T.J. Watt: Since New England’s offense stinks, let’s start with the best player on the field when the Patriots have the ball. Watt is second in the league with 14 sacks, and per data from Pro Football Focus, he is sixth in total pressures (61). He’s also ninth in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings while the Patriots as a team rank last in pass-block win rate. 

Wide receiver Demario Douglas: Pretty much the only decent thing about New England’s offense is the emergence of Douglas, who was drafted in the sixth round (210th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He leads the team with 410 receiving yards, or 1,071 less than Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He’s in concussion protocol, leaving doubt about his ability to play against the Steelers. If he’s unable to go, the Patriots offense might be DOA.

Who starts at quarterback… and does it matter? Whether Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe (or some guy New England hires off the street) starts on Thursday night is irrelevant. The offense will be garbage no matter whom head coach Bill Belichick picks. Since Week 10, New England has averaged 4.3 points per game and gone 0-3. 

Al Michaels’ sanity: The legendary broadcaster has taken criticism for what some perceive as his less-than-enthusiastic commentating this season, but it’s just as fair to argue that he gives “Thursday Night Football” the energy it deserves. 

Per the Sports Business Journal, when discussing one particularly dreadful “TNF” game in Week 5 last season, a 12-9 overtime win for the Colts over the Broncos, Michaels told the outlet, “In fact, at one point during the game, I said to Kirk [Herbstreit], ‘Is it possible this game could be so bad that it’s actually good?’”

This game will likely lead to Michaels asking Herbstreit more philosophical questions and maybe even his early retirement.

WHEN THE STEELERS ARE ON OFFENSE

Mitchell Trubisky: Starter Kenny Pickett was ruled out for Week 14 with an ankle injury. As anemic as Pittsburgh’s offense is this season, maybe Trubisky can provide a spark. He’s a serviceable backup with a career 64.1 completion percentage, 70 touchdown passes and 45 interceptions.  

“I’m going to be aggressive,” Trubisky told the Steelers team website on Tuesday. 

That development would be welcomed. This season, Pickett ranks 28th in attempts 20 yards or more downfield.

George Pickens: A more aggressive offense would benefit Pickens. Of the enticing second-year wideout’s 76 targets, only 15, or 19.7 percent, have been on deep routes. He has seven receptions, 224 yards and a touchdown on those targets but has taken a backseat to Diontae Johnson since he returned from a hamstring injury in Week 7. The Steelers need to take more shots on offense, and Pickens gives them the best chance of connecting on those big plays.

Patriots rush defense: New England is stout against the run, allowing 88.7 yards per game, third in the league. Per RotoWire, the Patriots allow the fewest yards per carry to running backs, which will force Trubisky to have to beat them with his arm.

Jaylen Warren: New England’s run defense might limit Najee Harris, but backup Warren could be a huge factor. The Patriots rank 18th in receiving yards allowed to running backs. Warren is second on the Steelers in receptions (38). Pittsburgh must exploit his one-on-one matchups to manufacture offense that otherwise might be hard to come by.