Antonio Brown had 35 receiving yards last week. In the last eight games following a game w/ less than 50 receiving yards, Brown has averaged over 9 catches and 148 receiving yards. This according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala. Last year against the Patriots, though, AB had two catches and 24 yards. That’s it.
He’s averaging 80 yards a game against the Patriots in his career including the playoffs.
Yesterday, I told you that Ben had to be better than Tom Brady if the Steelers are going to win on Sunday. Well, AB may not be part of the equation.
Usually he has bounce back games after he underperforms, but New England usually does a good job against Brown.
As good as JuJu has been, and he’s a star, I’d imagine that the Patriots will try to make Ben beat them with his hand tied behind his back. I bet they’ll make him beat them without AB.
That’s okay. It can become the JuJu show then. I think he’s up for the challenge. Last year, he had the 69 yarder to set the Steelers up for the win.
Last week, he was clutch for Dobbs on the sideline and he was clutch in the back of the end zone when Ben did his best to overthrow him. He made the play on the hook and lateral.
The moment is never too big for JuJu. If AB is going to be slowed, and I imagine he will be, then Smith-Schuster’s going to have to be LIT.