You have a great point about wearing down the defense. The Patriots defense, at least up front, are all veterans. A running game the last few games of the season, even if it meant a loss or two, would give them a bit of a blow prior to the wars beginning...as long as they could piece together some decent drives with the running game.
For all the BS that Maroney hears, and it is deserved at times, he does hit the pile and you don’t see him running for the sidelines like many backs. The few runs he did make in the 1st half set up the big pass play. They need to get him more involved in the offense either with draw plays, screens or fakes then toss after he clears the line.
Steelers own time of possession by close to 8 minutes in the first half and they open with the ball in the 2nd half.
I really hope they draft some athletes this offseason.