Kickoff: The Patriots visit the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. New England is coming off an embarrassing 6-0 loss at home to the Chargers while the Steelers lost an equally embarrassing game to the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday, 24-10. Tonight’s game is a big one for both teams. Pittsburgh is looking to stay in playoff contention while the Patriots are looking to stay in contention for the number one pick in April’s draft.

Here are four keys to tonight’s game.

1. Positive start on offense: The Patriots have averaged 4.3 points per game in their last three games so the offense is non-existent right now. Getting an opening drive score would be a huge positive for this unit. They just need something positive to open the game with offensively. They cannot go three and out.

2. Help with Pickens: George Pickens is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL. Look for the Patriots to give him a variety of alignment looks and double him in certain situations as they try to take him out of the game. 

3. Generate turnovers: As well as the defense has played of late, they are still not generating turnovers. Forget defensive scores. Just simply forcing an extra turnover or two a game would do wonders for a Patriots offense that needs as many possessions as they could get.

4. Get pressure on Trubisky: The defense hasn’t been racking up the sacks either. I am not trying to nitpick here, but as well as they have played, they need to get more pressure on the opposing quarterback. Getting to Trubisky will be tough. The Steelers offensive line has been good in pass protection all season long. They have only allowed 25 sacks this season. 

Extra Point: Pittsburgh leads the regular season series by a 15-14. New England leads the series 4-1 in the postseason. The Patriots are 4-1 against Pittsburgh in prime time games with a 1-1 record on Monday Night Football, 2-0 record on Sunday Night Football and a 1-0 record on Thursday Night Football.

Final Drive: Expect a low scoring game which is fine for the Patriots since they specialize in those types of games. Believe it or not, despite how poorly they have played of late, the Patriots have a shot at winning this game. Pittsburgh has been equally inept on offense at times this season. The first team to 17 wins this game. It will probably be Pittsburgh, but stranger things have happened.