Steelers LB Ryan Shazier Says 'NFL Has a Patriots Problem'

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't defeated the New England Patriots since October 2011, but linebacker Ryan Shazier doesn't think his team is the only one that has struggled to come up with a solution to beat them. 

Rather, he told ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler on Thursday "the NFL has a Patriots problem."

However, Shazier is confident his team will have more success against the defending champions in 2017. 

"They've been a great team, they have a great leader, and they just find a way to win," Shazier said. "They have a good strategy in what they want to do. But I feel we are going to be prepared for them this year. I feel we are going to get them when we need to get them. And at any day I feel we can win the Super Bowl. We might have had a problem in the past but I think we are going to be ready this time."

Since their last victory over the Pats in October 2011, the Steelers have lost four straight to New England, including two last season. 

The first came in Week 7, when the Patriots downed the Steelers 27-16 at Heinz Field. However, Pittsburgh was without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the clash and was forced to hand the keys to the offense over to Landry Jones. 

The Steelers couldn't use that excuse the second time around, when they were throttled 36-17 in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. 

Pittsburgh will get its next crack at Tom Brady and Co. in Week 15, when the Patriots come to town for what could be another AFC title game preview.