The Patriots visit the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight on Thursday Night Football. Tonight’s game will be a battle of two offenses that are struggling mightily right now, especially the Patriots. If New England is going to get back on track offensively, they need to find a way to win individual one on one match-ups.
Here the five match-ups that are key to this game.
1. Jonathan Jones vs. George Pickens: Pickens is a tough match up because of his size and ball skills. He is especially difficult to match up against in the red zone. Jones will have his hands full with Pickens throughout the night. Do not be surprised if the Patriots double him.
2. T. J Watt vs. Michael Onwenu: Man. Such a tough match up for Onwenu. Watt is arguably the pure pass rusher in the game. He can win with speed and power. Onwenu will get him one on one as much as possible but depending on how this match up goes, he may get help.
3. Kyle Dugger vs. Pat Freiermuth: Dugger will draw the former Brooks star a bunch in man coverage tonight. This will be an important match up because the Steelers will target Freiermuth a bunch, especially in the red zone. Dugger has more than held his own in man coverage this season and I suspect he does again in this game.
4. Can Hayward vs. Sidy Sow: Tough match up for the rookie lining up against the future Hall of Famer. Sow has to be fundamentally sound and play with good leverage or else it will be a long night for him. Wow certainly can match up physically. The question is, will he get help? Especially in pass protection. We’ll find out.
5. Bailey Zappe vs. Steelers Safeties: Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the best safeties in the NFL. Zappe will have to be smart with the hall, especially when throwing in breaking routes or to the tight ends. Any overthrow and it going to be picked and go the other way.