Fittipaldo: Steelers Season Will Plummet With Loss To Patriots: “Probably Going To Lose The Last Four”

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads in their 2023 season, facing a critical matchup against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football. Following a disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Ray Fittipaldo, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, believes that the outcome of this game could have far-reaching implications for the Steelers' season.

Can The Steelers Regroup After Cardinals Loss?

The Steelers find themselves in a precarious position after a squandered opportunity against the Cardinals in their previous game. Now, they must regroup and refocus as they prepare to face the Patriots, led by the legendary Bill Belichick.

Thursday's matchup is projected to be a low-scoring affair, with the Steelers favored to win by six points according to DraftKings sportsbook. The total points for the game are set at a mere 30, marking the lowest NFL total since DraftKings began providing lines for NFL games.

Because of the low total predicted, the Steelers' encounter with the Patriots is not merely a test of mettle, but also a battle of precision. The game is poised to be a field goal contest, with both teams expected to lean on their kickers. For the Steelers, that responsibility falls on the capable shoulders of Chris Boswell. Despite a strong season where he has successfully connected on 91.7% of his field goals in 2023, Boswell seeks redemption after missing a crucial 45-yard field goal attempt and making only one of two last Sunday.

Adding to the Steelers' challenges, they will be without their starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, who is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the Cardinals game. Mitch Trubisky steps into the role, tasked with leading the Steelers in Pickett's absence.

Fittipaldo's assessment of the situation is unequivocal. He believes that if the Steelers fall to the Patriots on Thursday night, it could spell disaster for the remainder of the season. 

"If you lose these two [Arizona & New England] you're probably going to lose the last four. It's just going to snowball on you."

Steelers Face A Resilient Patriots Defense

The Steelers are in an unusual position as significant favorites, especially given their recent struggles. Last week, they were favored by six and a half points against the Cardinals, but ended up losing by 14. However, the Patriots, while having a challenging season, have shown defensive prowess. They are coming off a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and have only secured two victories this year. Holding the potent Chargers offense to just six points underscores the strength of the Patriots' defense, which could present challenges for Trubisky and the Steelers' offense.

Mike Tomlin's Opportunity To Defeat Belichick

Thursday's game also marks a significant coaching matchup, with Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin facing off against Belichick. Tomlin holds a disappointing 3-8 record against him and this is an opportunity to secure his fourth victory over the renowned coach.

Playoff Implications Loom Large

As it stands, the Steelers are 7-5, occupying the second spot in the AFC North and holding the 5th seed in the AFC playoff standings. However, with the Cincinnati Bengals posting a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, they are now 6-6 and poised to challenge the Steelers for their playoff aspirations. The Steelers' remaining schedule includes matchups against the Indianapolis Colts, Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens.

Even if the Steelers were to stumble against the Patriots, their season would not be irreparably damaged, but it would undoubtedly intensify the pressure and raise the stakes. Panic could set in, making every subsequent game a must-win scenario as they navigate the remainder of the season. As Tomlin would say, the Steelers are judged by winning football games and as of right now, they are losers looking to become winners again. 

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