Patriots on Defense:
The Pats are 9th in the league in Run Defense, giving up an average of 92 Rushing Yards per game but only 3.7 YPC. . They also have only given up 3 rushing TDs on the season. They are short on depth on the D-line with both Valentine and Hamilton out.
The Steelers have the #15 rushing offense averaging 106.3 YPG, with a 4.6 YPC. They've scored 4 rushing TDs.
The Pats are 19th in the league in passing defense, giving up 267.2 yards per game. They've given up 8 receiving TDs.. What is interesting, though, is that teams are only averaging 10.8 Yards per reception against the Pats.
The Steelers have the #8 passing offense in the league, averaging 265.5 YPG, with a 7.4 YPA with 16 receiving TDs. They Steelers are without Ben Roethlisberger and Markus Wheaton. Two very big components of the Steelers passing game. Landry Jones will be hard-pressed to be half the passing QB that Ben is.. Landry Jones is not a threat to run the ball so the Pats Pass Rush needs to dial it up a notch.
Patriots on Offense:
The Steelers are 17th in run defense, but are giving up 101.2 Yards per game and 4.6YPC. They've given up 6 rushing TDs.
The Patriots have the #7 rushing offense in the league, averaging 119.8 YPG with a 3.8 YPC (this is hurt by the number of kneel downs they've taken so far this year). They have scored 7 rushing TDs.
The Steelers are 28th in the league in passing defense, giving up 298.3 Yards per game. However, they've only given up 6 receiving TDs. Opposing teams are averaging 11 Yards Per reception against them. They've also given up 3 receptions of over 40 yards.
The Patriots have the #7 passing offense in the league, averaging 267.3 YPG with 8.8 YPA and 10 Receiving TDs.
