Thursday Night Observations

I caught only the highlights of this game — had no one going in it, and it looked like it would be a dud. But at least it went well over it’s total of 30, and there were some touchdowns scored. I also had the Pats plus 6.5, which in retrospect was so obvious I should have used it as one of my contest picks, but retrospect is not the best lens through which to view these things.

The other funny thing is my Zeke Elliott/Rhamondre Stevenson rushing TDs bet with Alan Seslowsky is still looking okay even if Stevenson doesn’t return this year. Zeke did score last night, but only on a catch.

• Bailey Zappe made some nice throws, and his overall numbers were good against a stout defense. But that throw into traffic, up 11 at the end of the third quarter, that got picked was inexcusable. You’re facing Mitch Trubisky, you’re up 11 with under 16 minutes to go — just punt!

• Speaking of Elliott — 22 carries and seven catches is an RB1-overall-level workload. No other back even got a carry, and he led the team in targets with eight. Maybe my bet is shakier than I thought.

• Juju Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry had good fantasy games, but it came on six and three targets, respectively, i.e., don’t get excited that they’re startable. Maybe Henry in a pinch since they like him in the red zone.

• NFL teams rarely tank for draft picks, except maybe at the very end of the year. The Pats need a QB badly, and yet they did everything they could to win. Culture trumps accumulating draft capital.

• No one on the Steelers did anything except for touchdown-machine Diontae Johnson.

• The Steelers just lost back to back home games to the Cardinals and Patriots. They’re 7-6, but arguably as bad as anyone on a neutral field right now.

• Chris Boswell casually drilled a 56-yard FG. Golden age of kicking.