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Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call for another edition of TNF on Amazon this week, this time for a matchup between the Steelers and Patriots.
He’s already bracing for an uneventful game.
The analyst gave the ultimate spin cycle when previewing the contest, highlighting a pair of top-ranked defenses.
Ben and I are here in Pittsburgh FIRED UP for tonight’s @NFLonPrime game with the @steelers and the @Patriots
2 dominant defenses-low scoring field position kind of game
Big fella watchin our guy @PatMcAfeeShow and dozed off for a quick nap. pic.twitter.com/5bRFQivejA— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 7, 2023
While that may be true, those defenses are sure to be aided by two struggling offensive units.
Pittsburgh’s group has been nomadic all season, ranking 28th in scoring at just 16 points a game. Making things worse, starting quarterback Kenny Pickett will be sidelined with an injury, thrusting reserve Mitchell Trubisky under center.
He’ll now face a New England defense that hasn’t allowed more than 10 points to an opponent in nearly a month.
As for the Patriots, it will be Bailey Zappe taking snaps after taking over for Mac Jones. He didn’t offer much confidence in his lone start, a 6-0 loss to the Chargers.
And for as bad as that Steelers unit has been this year, the Patriots have been that much worse.
Ranking dead last in scoring at 12.3 PPG, New England tied an embarrassing mark last week by becoming the first team since 1938 to lose three straight games while holding opponents to 10 points or less.
They’ve scored just 13 points over the last three outings combined.
It’s safe to say, points will likely be at a minimum.
Steelers, Patriots could continue trend of awful TNF games.
NFL fans have been critical of the Thursday Night Football product, which has often been an awful one. Whether that’s due to blowouts or low-scoring affairs, the on-field action hasn’t’ kept viewers tuned in.
Everyone believes that to be the case this week, as well.
Look no further than Amazon’s most recent promo of the game, where they failed to find a Patriots player worthy of putting on its pregame graphic.
“The Patriots have no talent, so they just threw Bill Belichick on the promotion.”
Vegas agrees with the narrative of a boring contest, setting the game total at just 31.5 points. That number has since fallen.
We’ll see if the Steelers and Patriots can quiet the naysayers with some entertainment on the field. Right now, fans don’t have much faith in that happening.