Steelers @ New England: The Matchups

Last season, when these two teams met, the New England Patriots' offense was performing at a level that seems even more incredible with the passage of time:

Average yards per game ~ 434.4
Average rushing yards per game ~ 124.2
Average passing yards per game ~ 310.2
Average points per game ~ 39.08 (!!)

Of course we all remember what happened in that game last season ~ Anthony Smith's career as a Pittsburgh Steeler effectively came to an end.

Tom Brady was 32-of-46 for 399 yards in passing, while Ben Roethlisberger went 19-for-32 for 187 yards.

The 34-13 beatdown (which followed a Steelers win versus Cincinnati) was not as close as the score would seem to indicate; and started a stretch in which Pittsburgh lost three out of their next four games.

Sorry to be such a bummer right before Thanksgiving ~ here are this week's numbers:

New England Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: New England offense 7th (363.1) v. Steelers defense 1st (235.4)

Average net rushing yards per game: New England offense 7th (131.3) v. Steelers defense 1st (66.5)

Average net passing yards per game: New England offense 10th (231.8) v. Steelers defense 1st (168.8)

Average points per game: New England offense 10th (24.27) v. Steelers defense 1st (14.55)

Steelers Offense v. New England Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 26th (306.0) v. New England defense 12th (316.0)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 24th (101.7) v. New England defense 13th (100.2)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 18th (204.3) v. New England defense 13th (215.8)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 23rd (21.45) v. New England defense 8th (20.18)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: New England 8th (11.7) v. Steelers 32nd (5.5)

Average yards allowed per punt return: New England 30th (12.9) v. Steelers 3rd (4.8)

Average yards per kick return: New England 5th (25.1) v. Steelers 30th (20.3)

Average yards allowed per kick return: New England 21st (23.8) v. Steelers 1st (19.2)

Net yardage punting average: New England 17th (36.8) v. Steelers 20th (36.6)

Opponent net yardage punting average: New England 16th (37.1) v. Steelers 26th (39.0)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: New England 15th (+1) v. Steelers 18th (0)

Time of possession: New England 7th (32:17) v. Steelers 11th (31:14)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): New England 20th (51.2%) v. Steelers 5th (64.5%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): New England 31st (66.7%) v. Steelers 1st (34.4%)

Sacks allowed: New England 27th (35) v. Steelers 27th (35)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Cassel, 5th (90.5) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 11th (80.5)

AFC Leading rushers: Kevin Faulk, 21st (372 yards) v. Willie Parker, 12th (485 yards)

Note: Sammy Morris is New England's second leading rusher (356 yards) and Matt Cassel is third (199 yards)

AFC Leading receivers: Wes Welker, 2nd (80 catches, 838 yards, 10.5 per catch, 1 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 12th (54 catches, 718 yards, 13.3 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns)

AFC Sack Leaders: James Harrison, 2nd (12.0) v. Richard Seymour, 8th (7.0)

Note: LaMarr Woodley is third in the AFC in sacks with 10.5.