The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a losing performance in Week 13, a 24-10 Loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and with it being the team’s fifth loss many fans’ hopes were dashed as the team is pressing towards a hopeful AFC Playoff berth. The hope is there is a better performance on the horizon on Thursday in Week 14 when the team hosts the New England Patriots.

What exactly do the Steelers need to do to claim their eighth victory of 2023? Let’s break it down by offense and defense…

Offense

Jaylen’s time to shine?

Najee Harris is listed as questionable with a knee injury heading into Thursday Night Football (TNF), and even if he plays you have to wonder what his workload will be on a short week. Could this be the game fans get to see what Jaylen Warren can do with a larger workload? It’s possible, and it will also be against a very good defense. Can he show the Steelers what he can do if they just gave him the ball more?

Take some shots

The safe play isn’t always the best play. Fans have seen this all season with Kenny Pickett at quarterback, and while most believe Trubisky is more of a “sling it” type quarterback, history shows he too likes to take the safe route more often than not. The team will have to take some shots, and the hope is Trubisky’s arm strength can shine to someone like George Pickens for some big plays.

Don’t turn it over

The Patriots offense isn’t very good, and sometimes the best defense is to not aid the opposition’s offense. If the Steelers don’t turn it over and give the Patriots a short field, there is a good chance their scoring will be at a minimum. If the team is careless with the football, that’s when you let a bad offense hang around by working on a short field.

Defense

Stop the run

Bailey Zappe is a quarterback who is unlikely to go out and win a game by himself. He needs help, and he needs his running game to keep the pressure off him. If the Steelers are going to handle the Patriots, they’ll need to make them as one-dimensional as possible.

Take it away

Earlier this season the Steelers’ defense was a takeaway machine. Now, it seems to have dried up. The past two weeks the Steelers have only one takeaway. That needs to change against New England in hopes of not letting them stand a chance with what is hopefully a suffocating defensive performance.

Keep it together as best as possible

The Steelers defense, especially at the ILB position, is being held together with some sticks and glue. It doesn’t matter who’s in there, they just need to keep it together as best as possible. Myles Jack’s familiarity with the defense will help, and hopefully Blake Martinez will have acclimated enough so he too can make an impact. Get through this game, and hopefully get Elandon Roberts back in Week 15.

I talk about this, and MUCH more on the latest episode of “Let’s Ride”, and you can hear that podcast in the player below this article. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team as they gear up for game time!