NFL Notebook: After all this time, are Steelers still closest thing to an AFC counterpoint for Patriots?

PITTSBURGH — In this week’s edition of the NFL Notebook, we take a look at the Patriots’ improvements in the screen game over the last year, get a feel for the vibe around Gillette Stadium heading into the biggest regular-season game of the year, remind you that it’s not just the New England coordinators who could be in demand this offseason, and find out how one ex-Patriots receiver might have played a small role in the development of Josh Gordon a few years ago. But first, with this year’s regular-season showdown with the Steelers looming on Sunday, we wonder where Pittsburgh fits when it comes to rating New England’s current rivals.

1. For the Patriots, rivalries have come and gone since 2001, but no other team has consistently gotten the fan base consistently riled up like the Steelers. I’d argue that while Pittsburgh has struggled at times against the Patriots, no opponent has consistently moved the needle with New England fans like the Steelers. Here's how things stack up from our perspective:

a. Steelers — The dislike for Pittsburgh has ebbed and flowed over the years when compared to some other teams, but you have to give some level of credit for being relatively competitive with the Patriots for such an extended period of time. They’re one of only a few teams who has won multiple Super Bowls since the start of the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady Era, and one of the only teams who can boast of similar continuity at the coach-quarterback position with Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Plus, like Rob Gronkowski said, “it’s always popping” in Pittsburgh.

b. Ravens — While Baltimore might not be at the top of the list all the time, I’d argue the Ravens have always been at least in the top 3. Good Baltimore teams have come and gone, but with the likes of Joe Flacco and Terrell Suggs, they’ve shown a consistent ability to be at least a thorn in New England’s side for an extended stretch.

c. Texans — This one had the potential to really develop into something in the wake of the letterman jacket game, but Houston dropped off a bit after that. With a pair of impressive losses at Gillette Stadium the last two years, the Texans could re-emerge as a potential threat to New England, but still haven’t positioned themselves as a truly great postseason foil to the Patriots.

d. Chiefs — With the emergence of Pat Mahomes, this one has the potential to become truly interesting over the next few seasons. Kansas City. There’s no compelling figure who might be the sort who could wear the black hat — Travis Kelce? — but you get the feeling the Chiefs could be the next great counterpoint to the Patriots when it comes to the AFC.

(For what it’s worth, others who are part of the conversation include the Colts — sorry Chris Ballard, but not yet — Broncos and Titans.)

[democracy id="25"]

2. It was a loose locker room this week in Foxborough. Not sure how that will translate to Sunday’s game, but in the wake of Sunday’s gut-punch loss to Miami, there certainly wasn’t a tense vibe at Gillette Stadium — sing-alongs at practice, tongue-in-cheek interviews, Belichick asking about reporters Christmas shopping, etc. The one thing that was stressed to me by a couple of veterans this week was the increasing sense of urgency, something that was raised in the BSJ Q&A this past week. The games have an additional weight at this time of year anyway, but the fact the Patriots don’t necessarily have that same margin for error they might have had in year’s past has been hammered home by Belichick and the coaching staff. It’ll be interesting to see how that mix over the course of the week plays out against the Steelers, but this week was pretty light in Foxborough.

3. The Patriots’ offense has endured a bit of a roller coaster ride this year, as personnel shuffling (because of injury and suspension) has forced New England to make some unanticipated changes. But one area that has stayed surprisingly consistent for them this season has been the screen pass game. Something that was a struggle at times for them in 2017, the Patriots are now among the league’s best at executing what can be a difficult play to try and pull off. Why the spike in totals? Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said there are a few things that go into it, including the fact it incorporates a wide variety of players to make it a success. “I think Dante (Scarnecchia) does a tremendous job of working and coaching the linemen to do the things that we need to do to get out – same thing with Ivan (Fears) and the backs,” he said. “You’ve certainly got to be selective with how you use them, who you use them against and what you do. (But) I think we have good screen players, both in terms of the runners and receivers that catch those, and then we have good screen linemen.” One other thing worth noting, particularly when it comes to this week? McDaniels noted the fact that it’s a deception-based play that relies on some trickery. The Patriots have often had success against the Steelers by using their aggressiveness against them with those sorts of plays. Given James White’s run of success this year as a pass catcher, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see multiple screens this week involving White.