Battle of the (Yawn) Backups: Bailey Zappe, Mitch Trubisky Not Inspiring New England Patriots-Pittsburgh Steelers Matchup
Get ready to ... stummmmmmmmble!
When the New England Patriots played the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 2 last season, it wasn't exactly an offensive work of art. The teams combined for only 31 points, 10 penalties, eight punts and three turnovers.
But - given the players that will and will not be on the field 15 months later - the Pats and Steelers would gladly take a repeat when they meet again Thursday night. Get ready for the battle of the backups: Bailey Zappe vs. Mitch Trubisky.
You want prime-time excitement? Betting odds have the Over/Under point total at 29.5, lowest in the NFL this season and flirting with the record of 28 set for a Bears-Lions game in 1993.
"First one to score, wins" isn't a stretch. Who exactly is capable of scoring? Both teams bring stout defenses: Patriots have held three consecutive opponents to 10 points or less; Steelers four of their last five under 20. In their last eight combined games, the offenses have scored 20 points just once.
On Sept. 18, 2022 the Patriots beat the Steelers, 17-14.
Scoring will be at a premium when the Patriots' Bailey Zappe meets the Steelers' Mitch Trubisky in primetime Thursday night.
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In the win, one of their two touchdowns was set up by a muffed punt that led to a short field. But they amassed 376 yards, a total they've reached only once (382 vs. the Eagles the season opener) in 12 games this season.
Bigger problem for New England: Every point scored and every yard gained in that game was by a player who won't be on the field Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
The scorers from that game are all injured, benched or gone: Kicker Nick Folk. Quarterback Mac Jones. Receiver Nelson Agholor. Running back Damien Harris. Same for those that accounted for every yard: Rhamondre Stevenson, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Jones, Harris and Agholor. Even worse, second-leading receiver Demario Douglas will miss the game with a concussion, further depleting the Pats of playmakers.
While Zappe was ineffective in last week's shutout loss to the Chargers, Trubisky doesn't exactly inject optimism into Steelers Nation. He was the quarterback in last year's meeting, completing 21 of 33 for 168 and throwing an interception to Pats' cornerback Jalen Mills.
How's this for pre-game hype? Bill Belichick on Zappe: "He did some good things." Steelers' running back Najee Harris on Trubisky stepping in for injured starter Kenny Pickett: "It's fine, I guess."
See, 17-14 sounds relatively exhilarating.
