Patriots will be even more unwatchable Week 14 vs. Steelers
The New England Patriots will be even more unwatchable in the coming weeks, starting in their Week 14 "Thursday Night Football" matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pats lost by far their best offensive player in Rhamondre Stevenson to a high ankle sprain during their Week 13 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers, an injury that is expected to sideline the running back for the foreseeable future.
New England already boasts the NFL's worst offense (averaging a league-worst 12.3 points per game). The Patriots and Steelers (another offensively challenged team) opened Monday with an over/under on the expected total points scored of 30, per CBS Sportsline, which would be the lowest mark since 1993.
The "TNF" tilt is expected to feature New England backup quarterback Bailey Zappe, who replaced struggling starter Mac Jones, and Pittsburgh's QB2 in Mitchell Trubisky, who is under center in the wake of Kenny Pickett's ankle injury.
The Steelers at least still have some offensive firepower in wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth. With Stevenson out of the picture, the Patriots offense could go from ugly to even uglier for the remainder of 2023.
Head coach Bill Belichick's crew has scored over 20 points just once this season and has compiled only 13 points over their last three contests. Stevenson's seven-yard rushing score two weeks ago against the New York Giants is the team's only touchdown during the span.
The 25-year-old Oklahoma product led New England by a wide margin in rushing attempts (210) and rushing yards (1,040) last season while pacing the squad in rushing touchdowns (five), receptions (69) and targets (88) as well. Stevenson also recorded the sixth-most touches (279) by a Patriots player in a single season since Belichick took over in 2000 as well.
He's continued the solid numbers this year, leading New England in carries (156), rushing yards (619), rushing scores (four) and receptions (38) among a host of other categories.
Former longtime Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is expected to take over as the starter in Stevenson's absence.
"Zeke" played a season-high 44 snaps in Week 13, registering 52 rushing yards with season highs in carries (17) and receiving yards (40) on four catches as well. The Patriots signed the three-time Pro Bowler in August and he's been the only other running back to receive significant work this fall.
Elliot is second on the team in rushing attempts (112), rushing yards (429) and rushing touchdowns (two).
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