New England @ Pittsburgh (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin72]

Without those turnovers, you can erase 21 points from the Steelers score and its 20-14 Patriots.

Come on. You're better than this.You absolutely can not make this statement. You have no idea how that game would have changed if those turnovers hadn't taken place. It changes the entire complexion of the game.Bottom line, again : Steelers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in that win. Everything else fed off of that. If that battle is one-sided again, Steelers roll. If not, it will be a much different ball game.

 

[BGP]

Let's look at the first meeting.FIRST QUARTER+Steelers go 3 and out.+Patriots start at their 35, get a couple first downs (one on penalty) and kick FG (3-0 NWE)+Steelers go 3 and out.+Patriots go 3 and out.+Steelers start from their 20, get 2 first downs and score a TD. Ben hits throws of 14, 21 and a TD pass of 47 yards. (7-3 PIT)+Patriots get ball on own 29. Brady sacked on first down. Brady FUMBLES on second down. Steelers recover.+Steelers take over at Patriots' 27 and score a TD. (14-3 PIT)+Patriots have ball and brady's first pass is INTERCEPTED for a TD. (21-3 PIT)SECOND QUARTER+Patriots go 3 and out, including a penalty and a sack.+Steelers get 1 first down and punt.+Patriots start at their 13. They get one first down and then Brady is INTERCEPTED. Apparently its a touchback.+Steelers get ball on their 20. They execute a great drive. Four first downs. However, they bog down at the Patriots 1 yard line and kick a FG. (24-3 PIT)+After a fine kick return, Patriots start at their 40 and execute a fine drive, collecting 4 first downs and scoring a TD. Brady hits passes of 13, 14, 10, and 17. (24-10 PIT)+Steelers get 2 first downs but bog down just outside of FG range and half ends.THIRD QUARTER+Patriots get ball and on second play Faulk FUMBLES - Steelers recover.+Steelers start with another short field at the Patriots' 17 and punch it in. (31-10 PIT)+Patriots execute another find drive and get 4 first downs, but bog down at the Steelers 7 and kick a FG. (31-13 PIT)+Steelers devastate the Patriots with an 8:29 drive. They run 12 consecutive times and go from their 28 to the Patriots' 11 and kick a FG. (34-13 PIT)+Patriots get one first down and then punt.FOURTH QUARTER+Steelers get two first downs, burn 5:13 off the clock and punt.+Patriots get 4 first downs and score a TD. (34-20 PIT)+Steelers burn the last 6:27 off the clock with a combo of running and passing to end the game.What we see is that the Steelers got horde of turnovers to win the first meeting. They started not one but two drives in the RED ZONE and scored 6. They also picked off Brady and ran it back for a third TD.The Steelers caught all the breaks. You could probably credit a hostile crowd for making noise and causing some confusion for the Patriots' offense. Without those turnovers, you can erase 21 points from the Steelers score and its 20-14 Patriots. This is the first time Brady and Belichick are on the road in the playoffs. The key is "Will the Patriots make those mistakes again?"

Generally when a team wins, they get the "breaks" along the way. The steelers physically dominated that game regardless of breaks and no objective fan can say differently. This time around could very easily be a different story but pats fans shouldn't make excuses for that loss---they got whipped. And if you want to play that game, surely you would agree that the Pats victory over the steelers in 2001 had a large part to do with these "breaks" that you point out.

I'm not playing a game. I'm just looking at what happened. Maybe these Steelers can confuse the Patriots' offense. Its funny. I try to give the Steelers some credit and they get mad at me.

 

[Johnny Ice]

Well as the game goes on and a team runs the ball more and more a defense gets tired, making it easier to run. I'm not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great running game. I just don't see how the Pats will let Pitt run the ball as well as they did last time.

You do know why defenses get tired right? Obviously they couldn't stop them in the first place. I guess the Pats weren't trying but I didn't think such a great organization would actually quit because of big lead. Anyway, all of this talk about Yoda having no tape on Big Ben is garbage. The Steelers don't rely on Ben so Yoda will just be wasting his time coming up with elaborate schemes to stop him. If things go their way he will attempt 15-20 passes. The Steelers are going to run and run some more. The whole damn world knows it the question is how do you stop it.

 

[BGP]

Well as the game goes on and a team runs the ball more and more a defense gets tired, making it easier to run. I'm not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great running game. I just don't see how the Pats will let Pitt run the ball as well as they did last time.

You do know why defenses get tired right? Obviously they couldn't stop them in the first place. I guess the Pats weren't trying but I didn't think such a great organization would actually quit because of big lead. Anyway, all of this talk about Yoda having no tape on Big Ben is garbage. The Steelers don't rely on Ben so Yoda will just be wasting his time coming up with elaborate schemes to stop him. If things go their way he will attempt 15-20 passes. The Steelers are going to run and run some more. The whole damn world knows it the question is how do you stop it.

My first thought is you stop it by winning TOP and have time consuming drives of your own.

 

[Johnny Ice]

Well as the game goes on and a team runs the ball more and more a defense gets tired, making it easier to run. I'm not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great running game. I just don't see how the Pats will let Pitt run the ball as well as they did last time.

You do know why defenses get tired right? Obviously they couldn't stop them in the first place. I guess the Pats weren't trying but I didn't think such a great organization would actually quit because of big lead. Anyway, all of this talk about Yoda having no tape on Big Ben is garbage. The Steelers don't rely on Ben so Yoda will just be wasting his time coming up with elaborate schemes to stop him. If things go their way he will attempt 15-20 passes. The Steelers are going to run and run some more. The whole damn world knows it the question is how do you stop it.

My first thought is you stop it by winning TOP and have time consuming drives of your own.

Easier said than done, that's the point.

 

[BGP]

Well as the game goes on and a team runs the ball more and more a defense gets tired, making it easier to run. I'm not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great running game. I just don't see how the Pats will let Pitt run the ball as well as they did last time.

You do know why defenses get tired right? Obviously they couldn't stop them in the first place. I guess the Pats weren't trying but I didn't think such a great organization would actually quit because of big lead. Anyway, all of this talk about Yoda having no tape on Big Ben is garbage. The Steelers don't rely on Ben so Yoda will just be wasting his time coming up with elaborate schemes to stop him. If things go their way he will attempt 15-20 passes. The Steelers are going to run and run some more. The whole damn world knows it the question is how do you stop it.

My first thought is you stop it by winning TOP and have time consuming drives of your own.

Easier said than done, that's the point.

For Belichick?

 

[Johnny Ice]

Well as the game goes on and a team runs the ball more and more a defense gets tired, making it easier to run. I'm not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great running game. I just don't see how the Pats will let Pitt run the ball as well as they did last time.

You do know why defenses get tired right? Obviously they couldn't stop them in the first place. I guess the Pats weren't trying but I didn't think such a great organization would actually quit because of big lead. Anyway, all of this talk about Yoda having no tape on Big Ben is garbage. The Steelers don't rely on Ben so Yoda will just be wasting his time coming up with elaborate schemes to stop him. If things go their way he will attempt 15-20 passes. The Steelers are going to run and run some more. The whole damn world knows it the question is how do you stop it.

My first thought is you stop it by winning TOP and have time consuming drives of your own.

Easier said than done, that's the point.

For Belichick?

 

[fred_1_15301]

Let's look at the first meeting.FIRST QUARTER+Steelers go 3 and out.+Patriots start at their 35, get a couple first downs (one on penalty) and kick FG (3-0 NWE)+Steelers go 3 and out.+Patriots go 3 and out.+Steelers start from their 20, get 2 first downs and score a TD.  Ben hits throws of 14, 21 and a TD pass of 47 yards.  (7-3 PIT)+Patriots get ball on own 29.  Brady sacked on first down.  Brady FUMBLES on second down.  Steelers recover.+Steelers take over at Patriots' 27 and score a TD.  (14-3 PIT)+Patriots have ball and brady's first pass is INTERCEPTED for a TD.  (21-3 PIT)SECOND QUARTER+Patriots go 3 and out, including a penalty and a sack.+Steelers get 1 first down and punt.+Patriots start at their 13.  They get one first down and then Brady is INTERCEPTED.  Apparently its a touchback.+Steelers get ball on their 20.  They execute a great drive.  Four first downs.  However, they bog down at the Patriots 1 yard line and kick a FG.  (24-3 PIT)+After a fine kick return, Patriots start at their 40 and execute a fine drive, collecting 4 first downs and scoring a TD. Brady hits passes of 13, 14, 10, and 17.  (24-10 PIT)+Steelers get 2 first downs but bog down just outside of FG range and half ends.THIRD QUARTER+Patriots get ball and on second play Faulk FUMBLES - Steelers recover.+Steelers start with another short field at the Patriots' 17 and punch it in. (31-10 PIT)+Patriots execute another find drive and get 4 first downs, but bog down at the Steelers 7 and kick a FG.  (31-13 PIT)+Steelers devastate the Patriots with an 8:29 drive.  They run 12 consecutive times and go from their 28 to the Patriots' 11 and kick a FG.  (34-13 PIT)+Patriots get one first down and then punt.FOURTH QUARTER+Steelers get two first downs, burn 5:13 off the clock and punt.+Patriots get 4 first downs and score a TD.  (34-20 PIT)+Steelers burn the last 6:27 off the clock with a combo of running and passing to end the game.What we see is that the Steelers got horde of turnovers to win the first meeting.  They started not one but two drives in the RED ZONE and scored 6.  They also picked off Brady and ran it back for a third TD.The Steelers caught all the breaks.  You could probably credit a hostile crowd for making noise and causing some confusion for the Patriots' offense.  Without those turnovers, you can erase 21 points from the Steelers score and its 20-14 Patriots.  This is the first time Brady and Belichick are on the road in the playoffs.  The key is "Will the Patriots make those mistakes again?"

Generally when a team wins, they get the "breaks" along the way. The steelers physically dominated that game regardless of breaks and no objective fan can say differently. This time around could very easily be a different story but pats fans shouldn't make excuses for that loss---they got whipped. And if you want to play that game, surely you would agree that the Pats victory over the steelers in 2001 had a large part to do with these "breaks" that you point out.

I'm not playing a game. I'm just looking at what happened. Maybe these Steelers can confuse the Patriots' offense. Its funny. I try to give the Steelers some credit and they get mad at me.

Actually nobody is getting mad at you. You're entitled to your opinions--even if they happen to be severely flawed

 

[nightshift]

Well as the game goes on and a team runs the ball more and more a defense gets tired, making it easier to run. I'm not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great running game. I just don't see how the Pats will let Pitt run the ball as well as they did last time.

You do know why defenses get tired right? Obviously they couldn't stop them in the first place. I guess the Pats weren't trying but I didn't think such a great organization would actually quit because of big lead. Anyway, all of this talk about Yoda having no tape on Big Ben is garbage. The Steelers don't rely on Ben so Yoda will just be wasting his time coming up with elaborate schemes to stop him. If things go their way he will attempt 15-20 passes. The Steelers are going to run and run some more. The whole damn world knows it the question is how do you stop it.

Johnny,The obvious answer is : YOU CAN'T STOP THE STEELERS! If you key on the run game, Big Ben, Ward, Plaxico, & EL will rip the defense a new one. If you don't put enough bodies in the box, the Bus will hammer the defensive line into submission. By the 4th quarter, opposing defenses have been on the field too long and the front 7 have been beaten senseless. Result? Steelers win! Not always pretty, but a win is win.

Steelers are going to and will win the Super Bowl. Accept it, have Iron City and enjoy!

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

:stillers: :stillers: :stillers: :stillers: :stillers:

 

[The Ref]

Without those turnovers, you can erase 21 points from the Steelers score and its 20-14 Patriots. 

Come on. You're better than this.You absolutely can not make this statement. You have no idea how that game would have changed if those turnovers hadn't taken place. It changes the entire complexion of the game.Bottom line, again : Steelers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in that win. Everything else fed off of that. If that battle is one-sided again, Steelers roll. If not, it will be a much different ball game.

Do you really think that it's going to be that clear cut? The line play is going to be so much in favor of the :stillers: that NE is not going to be able to stop the run? Did the :stillers: dominate NE so much that they gave up on the run or is that more of a product of being so far behind the first time around?Still plan on taking the money line?

 

[The Ref]

The obvious answer is : YOU CAN'T STOP THE STEELERS!

 

[Evilgrin72]

Do you really think that it's going to be that clear cut? The line play is going to be so much in favor of the :stillers: that NE is not going to be able to stop the run? Did the :stillers: dominate NE so much that they gave up on the run or is that more of a product of being so far behind the first time around?Still plan on taking the money line?

I didn't say the line play definitely would be in favor of the Steelers, I said IF it is, they should win again.No, I don't think the physical dominance on the lines had a damn thing to do with being ahead or behind. The Pats' went to a goal line defense at midfield late in that game and still gave up first downs on the ground. I know everyone wants to say that he only reason this happened is because the Steelers were able to wear them down, but they do that to EVERYONE. That's their game plan. If they can execute it again, they will win. If the Pats can control the line of scrimmage, or even make it a push, they will have the edge.And yes, I will throw a few bucks down on the ML, but not as much as last time. That way, I will be assured of making money off the Patriots this year, win or lose Sunday.

 

[BGP]

I'm browsing some of the steelers PBPs.

Its interesting that if they have the lead late, they will run the football almost every time. For example, they beat the Bengals 19-14. They had one drive in the 4th where they got called for holding on a run and it was 1st and 20. The Steelers just went ahead and ran the ball three more times anyway. They gained 2, 1, and 3 yards to make it 4th and 14. Then they punted it back leading only 17-14. Cowher just sat on the ball up by 3. Turns out they pinned the Bengals to their 8 on the punt. The Bengals then committed a penalty in the end zone to make it a safety.

In the Jacksonville game they won 17-16, they had another drive where they ran it repeatedly in the fourth quarter. Staley for 3, Ben scramble for 19, Staley for 3, Staley for 1, Ben sacked, punt. Steelers were up 14-13 at the time. That was some really conservative playcalling and the Jaguars got the ball back and kicked a FG to take the lead on their next drive. Ben led them down to a game winning FG, however.

The pattern seems to be there. If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win. That's what Schottenheimer does.

 

[The Ref]

I didn't say the line play definitely would be in favor of the Steelers, I said IF it is, they should win again.No, I don't think the physical dominance on the lines had a damn thing to do with being ahead or behind. The Pats' went to a goal line defense at midfield late in that game and still gave up first downs on the ground. I know everyone wants to say that he only reason this happened is because the Steelers were able to wear them down, but they do that to EVERYONE. That's their game plan. If they can execute it again, they will win. If the Pats can control the line of scrimmage, or even make it a push, they will have the edge.And yes, I will throw a few bucks down on the ML, but not as much as last time. That way, I will be assured of making money off the Patriots this year, win or lose Sunday.

Here is my porblem with the :stillers: . I think they have not good, but great line play. But sometime after they beat Philly and NE the O, in terms of points scored, went from the 24-34 point area to the 14-17 point area. For a team that is suposed to be able to run at will vs anyone and have a good young QB and two and a half good WR.... something isn't quite right. Teams that go 15-1 with great Line play on both sides of the ball should win games 31-10. Most of the talk so far has been how the Patriots are going to sell out to stop the run and get killed in the air, or how the Patriots will play it straight up and get killed on the ground. Well if this good :stillers: team is going to score a lot of points vs the Patriots, why havent they been scoring points in bunches for the last 2 1/2 months?Thats my issue - If/When the :stillers: win this week it's because they scored the token 17 points and held NE to 14 or less. With that being said, I think NE puts up 24+ this time and Pitt has to settle for more FG then they like.

 

[fred_1_15301]

The pattern seems to be there. If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win. That's what Schottenheimer does.

You're right BGP--Cowher isn't playing to win I guess thats why they're 16-1? I'm just grateful you're not coaching them

 

[fred_1_15301]

I didn't say the line play definitely would be in favor of the Steelers, I said IF it is, they should win again.No, I don't think the physical dominance on the lines had a damn thing to do with being ahead or behind. The Pats' went to a goal line defense at midfield late in that game and still gave up first downs on the ground. I know everyone wants to say that he only reason this happened is because the Steelers were able to wear them down, but they do that to EVERYONE. That's their game plan. If they can execute it again, they will win. If the Pats can control the line of scrimmage, or even make it a push, they will have the edge.And yes, I will throw a few bucks down on the ML, but not as much as last time. That way, I will be assured of making money off the Patriots this year, win or lose Sunday.

Here is my porblem with the :stillers: . I think they have not good, but great line play. But sometime after they beat Philly and NE the O, in terms of points scored, went from the 24-34 point area to the 14-17 point area. For a team that is suposed to be able to run at will vs anyone and have a good young QB and two and a half good WR.... something isn't quite right. Teams that go 15-1 with great Line play on both sides of the ball should win games 31-10. Most of the talk so far has been how the Patriots are going to sell out to stop the run and get killed in the air, or how the Patriots will play it straight up and get killed on the ground. Well if this good :stillers: team is going to score a lot of points vs the Patriots, why havent they been scoring points in bunches for the last 2 1/2 months?Thats my issue - If/When the :stillers: win this week it's because they scored the token 17 points and held NE to 14 or less. With that being said, I think NE puts up 24+ this time and Pitt has to settle for more FG then they like.

No doubt the steelers have dropped off a little on offense since the eagles game but explain to me how a team that possesses the ball 35 mins a game is expected to put up 31 pts a game? Their style will never be to put up 30-40 pts a game. That team's strength is predicated on ball control offense and defense and that is the reason they're 16-1. TAke a look back at the past 10 years and tell me how often the # 1 or 2 rushing teams in the league averaged over 24 pts a game. My guess is you won't find many.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I didn't say the line play definitely would be in favor of the Steelers, I said IF it is, they should win again.No, I don't think the physical dominance on the lines had a damn thing to do with being ahead or behind.  The Pats' went to a goal line defense at midfield late in that game and still gave up first downs on the ground.  I know everyone wants to say that he only reason this happened is because the Steelers were able to wear them down, but they do that to EVERYONE.  That's their game plan.  If they can execute it again, they will win.  If the Pats can control the line of scrimmage, or even make it a push, they will have the edge.And yes, I will throw a few bucks down on the ML, but not as much as last time.  That way, I will be assured of making money off the Patriots this year, win or lose Sunday. 

Here is my porblem with the :stillers: . I think they have not good, but great line play. But sometime after they beat Philly and NE the O, in terms of points scored, went from the 24-34 point area to the 14-17 point area. For a team that is suposed to be able to run at will vs anyone and have a good young QB and two and a half good WR.... something isn't quite right. Teams that go 15-1 with great Line play on both sides of the ball should win games 31-10. Most of the talk so far has been how the Patriots are going to sell out to stop the run and get killed in the air, or how the Patriots will play it straight up and get killed on the ground. Well if this good :stillers: team is going to score a lot of points vs the Patriots, why havent they been scoring points in bunches for the last 2 1/2 months?Thats my issue - If/When the :stillers: win this week it's because they scored the token 17 points and held NE to 14 or less. With that being said, I think NE puts up 24+ this time and Pitt has to settle for more FG then they like.

Opponent & Points scoredPatriots - 34Eagles - 27Browns - 24Bengals - 19Redskins - 16Jaguars - 17Jets - 17Giants - 33Ravens - 20Bills - 29The timing of the Steelers' decrease in points scored is not coincidental. Burress missed half of the game against the Bengals, and sat out entirely against the Skins, Jags, Jets, and Giants. Burress came back against the Ravens, and they scored 20 points against a good defense in that game. It could've been more, but the game was easily in hand and they were content to run the ball in the 2nd half. The Ravens' offense just couldn't do anything.Give the Jets credit - they did a great job defensively on Saturday. When push comes to shove, I think the Steelers offense will score enough to win on Sunday. 20 points should be enough to beat the Patriots this week.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

But sometime after they beat Philly and NE the O, in terms of points scored, went from the 24-34 point area to the 14-17 point area. For a team that is suposed to be able to run at will vs anyone and have a good young QB and two and a half good WR.... something isn't quite right. Teams that go 15-1 with great Line play on both sides of the ball should win games 31-10. Most of the talk so far has been how the Patriots are going to sell out to stop the run and get killed in the air, or how the Patriots will play it straight up and get killed on the ground. Well if this good :stillers: team is going to score a lot of points vs the Patriots, why havent they been scoring points in bunches for the last 2 1/2 months?Thats my issue - If/When the :stillers: win this week it's because they scored the token 17 points and held NE to 14 or less. With that being said, I think NE puts up 24+ this time and Pitt has to settle for more FG then they like.

This is not the INDY offense that scores points by the minute. When you play ball control (like the Steelers and Pats) you can have an extremely efficient offense without scoring 30+ points a game. You shorten the game (fewer drives for both teams) meaning less opportunities for points. Keep in mind the Steelers punted only 3 times in their last 3 regular season games. In fact in the last two regular season games (where Roethlisberger and the 1st team played) against the Giants and Ravens the Steelers didn't punt once! Yet they totaled 53 pts. They hit a bump against the Jets but don't be fooled by this bs about the demise of their O. It was very efficient the past 3 regular season games.

 

[Godsbrother]

The pattern seems to be there. If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win. That's what Schottenheimer does.

You're right BGP--Cowher isn't playing to win I guess thats why they're 16-1? I'm just grateful you're not coaching them

I know, Cowher's team goes 16-1 and BGP is still criticizing him, saying he doesn't coach to win. Back in 2002, there was a stat that showed Bill Cowher's teams were 70-1-1 record when leading by more than 10 points in a game. That record can only be better now.

The only negative thing that you can say about Cowher's record is his 1-3 record in AFC Championship games. Hopefully that will improve this week.

 

[The Ref]

No doubt the steelers have dropped off a little on offense since the eagles game but explain to me how a team that possesses the ball 35 mins a game is expected to put up 31 pts a game? Their style will never be to put up 30-40 pts a game. That team's strength is predicated on ball control offense and defense and that is the reason they're 16-1. TAke a look back at the past 10 years and tell me how often the # 1 or 2 rushing teams in the league averaged over 24 pts a game. My guess is you won't find many.

Point taken, and I understand the concept. But I just can't seem to find the game where a team sold out to stop the run and Ben made the D pay. It could very well be that it never had to happen because of the stonch D - or I just never got the Memo (Giants game perhaps?). Unlike some others, I don't think 17 points gets the job done this week, and I don't think BB sits around and lets Staley and the Bus run the Pats into the ground.

 

[thetman]

If anybody thinks the Steelers will get a fair shake from the officials if it's close, they are nuts! New England must have something on the NFL because they get almost every close call. I don't even really care who wins being a Rams fan, but bet the Pats if you want free money. The NFL won't allow them to lose!

 

[AB in DC]

Rams/Colts/Raiders fans: Me:

 

[BGP]

I'm browsing some of the steelers PBPs.

Its interesting that if they have the lead late, they will run the football almost every time. For example, they beat the Bengals 19-14. They had one drive in the 4th where they got called for holding on a run and it was 1st and 20. The Steelers just went ahead and ran the ball three more times anyway. They gained 2, 1, and 3 yards to make it 4th and 14. Then they punted it back leading only 17-14. Cowher just sat on the ball up by 3. Turns out they pinned the Bengals to their 8 on the punt. The Bengals then committed a penalty in the end zone to make it a safety.

In the Jacksonville game they won 17-16, they had another drive where they ran it repeatedly in the fourth quarter. Staley for 3, Ben scramble for 19, Staley for 3, Staley for 1, Ben sacked, punt. Steelers were up 14-13 at the time. That was some really conservative playcalling and the Jaguars got the ball back and kicked a FG to take the lead on their next drive. Ben led them down to a game winning FG, however.

The pattern seems to be there. If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win. That's what Schottenheimer does.

How ironic. I just read the latest Dr. Z column and he talks about the same type of thing:http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylc=X3oD...cnnsi&type=lgns

There are coaches who are always looking for ways to beat you, who will go for the throat. Give us 40 seconds and one time out and we'll put points on the board, is their philosophy. These coaches have Super Bowl rings.

There are coaches whose playbooks are filled with things that can go wrong. They have a fine working knowledge of the terrors of the game. They coach not to lose. Yet they lose, maybe not over the course of a season, or a career, but they lose the big ones. Let me tell you about this latter breed.

I am covering a Bills-Jets game in Shea Stadium in the 1970s. Buffalo is coached by Chuck Knox, very sound, very straight up by the book, owner of an illustrious career without a championship of any kind. The Bills are nursing a small lead into the game's closing moments. They're running the ball. It's a familiar script. Bills run, Jets stop it and call their time outs. Bills punt, Jets have one more shot and it's a thrilling finish.

All of a sudden, with the Jets out of time outs, Buffalo QB Joe Ferguson throws an eight-yard out and buys a first down. A couple of kneels later, it's over. I hunt down Ferguson in the Bills' locker.

"Whose call?" I asked him.

"Bench call," he says, cutting his eyes away from mine.

"Don't give me that," I say. "There's no way in the world Chuck Knox makes a call like that."

"OK, OK, it was mine, and I got in a hell of a lot of trouble for it," Ferguson says, "but don't tell anyone, OK?"

....

Vince Lombardi was perceived by some as being a conservative, when in truth he was an innovator. He was the first to throw long on third-and-short. He opened up the running game with his run-to-daylight approach. And he knew how to work a game.

Edwards and Schottenheimer have received much applause for taking their teams as far as they did this season. But unless their mentality changes, they will give the enemy a huge advantage in a close game when the stakes are highest. It's a shame for their players and their fans, but as far as their own thinking is concerned, the light hasn't come on yet. They think they're giving their team the best chance to win, when all they're really doing is lengthening the odds.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

I'm browsing some of the steelers PBPs.

Its interesting that if they have the lead late, they will run the football almost every time. For example, they beat the Bengals 19-14. They had one drive in the 4th where they got called for holding on a run and it was 1st and 20. The Steelers just went ahead and ran the ball three more times anyway. They gained 2, 1, and 3 yards to make it 4th and 14. Then they punted it back leading only 17-14. Cowher just sat on the ball up by 3. Turns out they pinned the Bengals to their 8 on the punt. The Bengals then committed a penalty in the end zone to make it a safety.

In the Jacksonville game they won 17-16, they had another drive where they ran it repeatedly in the fourth quarter. Staley for 3, Ben scramble for 19, Staley for 3, Staley for 1, Ben sacked, punt. Steelers were up 14-13 at the time. That was some really conservative playcalling and the Jaguars got the ball back and kicked a FG to take the lead on their next drive. Ben led them down to a game winning FG, however.

The pattern seems to be there. If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win. That's what Schottenheimer does.

How ironic. I just read the latest Dr. Z column and he talks about the same type of thing:http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylc=X3oD...cnnsi&type=lgns

There are coaches who are always looking for ways to beat you, who will go for the throat. Give us 40 seconds and one time out and we'll put points on the board, is their philosophy. These coaches have Super Bowl rings.

There are coaches whose playbooks are filled with things that can go wrong. They have a fine working knowledge of the terrors of the game. They coach not to lose. Yet they lose, maybe not over the course of a season, or a career, but they lose the big ones. Let me tell you about this latter breed.

I am covering a Bills-Jets game in Shea Stadium in the 1970s. Buffalo is coached by Chuck Knox, very sound, very straight up by the book, owner of an illustrious career without a championship of any kind. The Bills are nursing a small lead into the game's closing moments. They're running the ball. It's a familiar script. Bills run, Jets stop it and call their time outs. Bills punt, Jets have one more shot and it's a thrilling finish.

All of a sudden, with the Jets out of time outs, Buffalo QB Joe Ferguson throws an eight-yard out and buys a first down. A couple of kneels later, it's over. I hunt down Ferguson in the Bills' locker.

"Whose call?" I asked him.

"Bench call," he says, cutting his eyes away from mine.

"Don't give me that," I say. "There's no way in the world Chuck Knox makes a call like that."

"OK, OK, it was mine, and I got in a hell of a lot of trouble for it," Ferguson says, "but don't tell anyone, OK?"

....

Vince Lombardi was perceived by some as being a conservative, when in truth he was an innovator. He was the first to throw long on third-and-short. He opened up the running game with his run-to-daylight approach. And he knew how to work a game.

Edwards and Schottenheimer have received much applause for taking their teams as far as they did this season. But unless their mentality changes, they will give the enemy a huge advantage in a close game when the stakes are highest. It's a shame for their players and their fans, but as far as their own thinking is concerned, the light hasn't come on yet. They think they're giving their team the best chance to win, when all they're really doing is lengthening the odds.

BGP-You must have loved the NE/Miami MNF game where Brady "played to win" despite being up big with minutes to go. That was great strategy.

 

[David Yudkin]

Tale of the Tape, Part One:

Pats 2004 (including playoffs):

3865 yards passing

2344 yards rushing

6209 total yards

3630 yards passing allowed

1618 yards rushing allowed

5248 total yards allowed

457 points scored

263 points allowed

+961 yards

+194 points

Steelers 2004 (including playoffs):

3141 yards passing

2657 yards rushing

5798 total yards

3000 yards passing allowed

1409 yards rushing allowed

4409 total yards allowed

392 points scored

268 points allowed

+1389 yards

+124 points

Overall:

Pats 365.2 yards per game

Steelers 259.3 yards allowed per game

312.3 yards per game average

Steelers 341.0 yards per game

Pats 308.7 yards allowed per game

324.8 yards per game average

Patriots 26.9 points scored per game

Steelers 15.8 points allowed per game

21.4 points per game average

Steelers 23.1 points scored per game

Patriots 15.5 points allowed per game

19.3 points per game average

 

[Steeler]

The pattern seems to be there. If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win. That's what Schottenheimer does.

You site two examples from the Steelers entire season and conclude that "the pattern seems to be there" :rotflmao: I guarantee there were more than two occassions in the 4th quarter when the Steelers "shut down the offense" and had drvies of at least 7 minutes.... possibly including the Pats game, but I didn't look it up."the pattern seems to be there" :rotflmao: Your funny.

 

[Green and Gold]

If anybody thinks the Steelers will get a fair shake from the officials if it's close, they are nuts! New England must have something on the NFL because they get almost every close call. I don't even really care who wins being a Rams fan, but bet the Pats if you want free money. The NFL won't allow them to lose!

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Unit by Unit Breakdown:

Offense

O-Line

Both teams excel in the running game, and both teams have strong players on the O-Line. The Steelers are the only team in the NFL that has had the same 5 players start for the entire year on the O-Line and they are playing phenomenally as a unit. They've got 2 Pro-Bowlers on the squad, and since we're talking blocking, the best set of blocking FB/TE/WRs in the league.

Advantage: Steelers

Running Back

Bettis/Staley/Haynes vs. Dillon/Faulk. Largely due to the advantage I give the Steelers on the O-Line, I have to give the edge here to the Steelers.

Advantage: Steelers

WR

Plax/Ward/Randal El vs. Branch/Givens/Brown/et al. While I don't think the Pats WRs get enough credit, there is simply more talent on the Steelers squad.

Advantage: Steelers

QB

I absolutely LOVE Big Ben. He still doesn't hold Tom Brady's jock....yet.

Advantage: Patriots

Defense

D-Line

Both units are solid, the Steelers have had more time to get used to not having Hampton than the Pats have had time to acclimate to missing Seymour.

Advantage: Steelers

Linebackers

The Steelers linebackers are just sick. Absolutely sick. The Pats are no slouches in this category either. Farrior vs. Bruschi...who would you pick.

Advantage: Push

Secondary

Easily the worst unit on both teams. The Steelers are improved over years past, but still susceptible. The Pats are playing without Law and with a free-agent corner and converted WR.

Advantage: Push

Special Teams

Kicker

The Steelers have a surprisingly solid Jeff Reed who is accustomed to kicking in the very kicker un-friendly Heinz Field. The Patriots have Vinatieri.

Advantage: Patriots.

Punter

Gardocki vs. Former Steeler Josh Miller.

Advantage: Steelers

Returns

Randal El v. Troy Brown

Advantage: Steelers

Coverage

The Steelers still have some problems here (as evidenced last week). I expect them to be addressed. However...

Advantage: Patriots

Coaching

Cowher is a very good coach. Belichek, as much as I hate to admit it, is a great coach.

Advantage: Patriots

On paper, this game is so close. I think most units will perform to their standards. I think this game comes down to QB and coaching. Belicheck v. Cowher. Can the Pats rattle Big Ben enough to get the Steelers off their gameplan? Can the Steelers assert their will and make enough plays in the passing game to eat up the clock. Weis v. LeBeau. Can the Steelers rattle Brady and force him to make uncharacteristic mistakes?

Prediction: (and yes, this has a little bit of my heart in it...)

Steelers 22

Patriots 20

 

[The Man Who Met Andy Griffith]

The obvious answer is : YOU CAN'T STOP THE STEELERS! If you key on the run game, Big Ben, Ward, Plaxico, & EL will rip the defense a new one. If you don't put enough bodies in the box, the Bus will hammer the defensive line into submission. By the 4th quarter, opposing defenses have been on the field too long and the front 7 have been beaten senseless. Result? Steelers win! Not always pretty, but a win is win.

So you're saying that the Steelers offense is substantially more unstoppable than the Colts, right?If the Patriots can scheme to stop the '04 Colts and the '01 Rams, I won't count them out against any offense. I could see the Steelers scoring anywhere from 0 to 24 points, but I would expect around 14.The key will be whether the Patriots O can score points against the Pittsburgh D. Until Brady/Weis (whoever gets credit) fails in the playoffs I wouldn't bet against them. When you add in Dillon, I expect them to do fine.I like both teams about the same, but I expect the Pats to win 24-14.

 

[Evilgrin72]

If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win.

16-1 would say otherwise.

 

[The Man Who Met Andy Griffith]

If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting. That's not playing to win.

16-1 would say otherwise.

Out of curiosity, is there any anti-Steelers argument to which you wouldn't rebut "16-1"?I like the Steelers, but they are not unbeatable. One of their weaknesses, IMO, is Cowher. He is a good coach but I don't see him as a great playoff coach (whereas Belichick is).

 

[fred_1_15301]

If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting.  That's not playing to win.

16-1 would say otherwise.

Out of curiosity, is there any anti-Steelers argument to which you wouldn't rebut "16-1"?I like the Steelers, but they are not unbeatable. One of their weaknesses, IMO, is Cowher. He is a good coach but I don't see him as a great playoff coach (whereas Belichick is).

I certainly don't think the steelers are unbeatable. I'm obviously not alone in that thought considering just about every single person outside of pittsburgh is taking the pats in this game. It's going to be a good game with two very evenly matched teams and most likely the outcome will be determined by a big play on defense or special teams. Both teams have great defenses and special teams so to predict which team will get this big play is impossible. For right now, I'm going with the Steelers but thats only because I'm from Pittsbugh

 

[dansav]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents. Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[[icon]]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents. Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post but the Stillers fans won't be hearing anything like that. I give it 2-3 posts before your post is "discredited" After all.... That Ben kid is the second coming of Christ. What? He has more Interceptions than TDs in the 2nd half of the season? BAH... that doesn't mean anything.....

 

[Evilgrin72]

If the Steelers have any kind of lead in the fourth quarter, wether it is 1 point or 20, Cowher will just shut down the offense and run the football, even if it means punting.  That's not playing to win.

16-1 would say otherwise.

Out of curiosity, is there any anti-Steelers argument to which you wouldn't rebut "16-1"?I like the Steelers, but they are not unbeatable. One of their weaknesses, IMO, is Cowher. He is a good coach but I don't see him as a great playoff coach (whereas Belichick is).

There might be. I just wonder if the people questioning the wisdom of his coaching decisions are as well-qualified to make that decision as Cowher is. People are specifically mocking his choices in close regular season games, but he WON all of those games. So does the end justify the means? A win is a win, and certainly more valuable to me than an amateur's opinion on what he SHOULD have done.So yeah, 16-1 pretty much says it all in this argument.

 

[apalmer]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents. Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any particular reason you chose 9 games instead of 10? Couldn't be because you want to ignore the results of that 10th game (when NE played Pittsburgh) could it? And what are the two teams won-loss records during those 9 games, by the way?

 

[Evilgrin72]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:25 AM]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents. Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post but the Stillers fans won't be hearing anything like that. I give it 2-3 posts before your post is "discredited" After all.... That Ben kid is the second coming of Christ. What? He has more Interceptions than TDs in the 2nd half of the season? BAH... that doesn't mean anything.....

Here it comes homey.... Actually, not discrediting the information contained here, but wondering what made you (dansav) decide on a 9-week cutoff, proclaiming everything else to be "ancient history" ? Maybe because using 10 games might have given a different result? Also, if you want to look at those 9 games, tell me what the two teams records are in that span, and then tell me who had a tougher schedule. All these numbers are great, but wins are the bottom line.

 

[dansav]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents.  Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any particular reason you chose 9 games instead of 10? Couldn't be because you want to ignore the results of that 10th game (when NE played Pittsburgh) could it? And what are the two teams won-loss records during those 9 games, by the way?

I was looking at the games after the NE and PHI run which were quality wins. I was providing information on the trend PIT has fallen in over the last 8-9 games. Once again I don't want to talk about ancient history because the PATS have won 2 of the last 3 SUPERBOWLS.......

 

[[icon]]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:25 AM]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents.  Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post but the Stillers fans won't be hearing anything like that. I give it 2-3 posts before your post is "discredited" After all.... That Ben kid is the second coming of Christ. What? He has more Interceptions than TDs in the 2nd half of the season? BAH... that doesn't mean anything.....

Here it comes homey.... Actually, not discrediting the information contained here, but wondering what made you (dansav) decide on a 9-week cutoff, proclaiming everything else to be "ancient history" ? Maybe because using 10 games might have given a different result? Also, if you want to look at those 9 games, tell me what the two teams records are in that span, and then tell me who had a tougher schedule. All these numbers are great, but wins are the bottom line.

Don't mind me... I'm just stirring up #### before the game this Sunday

 

[fred_1_15301]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:46 AM]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:25 AM]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents.  Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post but the Stillers fans won't be hearing anything like that. I give it 2-3 posts before your post is "discredited" After all.... That Ben kid is the second coming of Christ. What? He has more Interceptions than TDs in the 2nd half of the season? BAH... that doesn't mean anything.....

Here it comes homey.... Actually, not discrediting the information contained here, but wondering what made you (dansav) decide on a 9-week cutoff, proclaiming everything else to be "ancient history" ? Maybe because using 10 games might have given a different result? Also, if you want to look at those 9 games, tell me what the two teams records are in that span, and then tell me who had a tougher schedule. All these numbers are great, but wins are the bottom line.

Don't mind me... I'm just stirring up #### before the game this Sunday

nothing wrong with that. you guys have every right in the world to talk trash with your recent playoff history. Just make sure you come back here Sunday night after we break your playoff streak (as we did your win streak).

 

[apalmer]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:25 AM]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents.  Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post but the Stillers fans won't be hearing anything like that. I give it 2-3 posts before your post is "discredited" After all.... That Ben kid is the second coming of Christ. What? He has more Interceptions than TDs in the 2nd half of the season? BAH... that doesn't mean anything.....

Here it comes homey.... Actually, not discrediting the information contained here, but wondering what made you (dansav) decide on a 9-week cutoff, proclaiming everything else to be "ancient history" ? Maybe because using 10 games might have given a different result? Also, if you want to look at those 9 games, tell me what the two teams records are in that span, and then tell me who had a tougher schedule. All these numbers are great, but wins are the bottom line.

Have to say, EG, that's a wise and perceptive response on your part. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents. Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn't convinced until I saw the 19 exclamation points. Now I am. that last 9 game stretch gives us a better record than you, and I don't even feel the need to bring up that you guys lost to ####### miami. Oh wait, I just did. I'm not here to say that we are going to win, steamroll, crush, etc. I know that if we show up and play like we did against the Jets that we will lose terrible. But , if the Steelers play football like they are capable of they certainly can beat the Patriots. You're kidding yourself if you think otherwise.

 

[Evilgrin72]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.

PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7pts

STEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1pts

Of these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents.  Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......

PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)

Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)

The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.

Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any particular reason you chose 9 games instead of 10? Couldn't be because you want to ignore the results of that 10th game (when NE played Pittsburgh) could it? And what are the two teams won-loss records during those 9 games, by the way?

I was looking at the games after the NE and PHI run which were quality wins. I was providing information on the trend PIT has fallen in over the last 8-9 games. Once again I don't want to talk about ancient history because the PATS have won 2 of the last 3 SUPERBOWLS.......

I just find it interesting that your definition of ancient history starts coincidentally on the week in which the Steelers beat New England. Looking at margin of victory is convenient, but the last I checked, the Steelers were a ball-control team that doesn't run up big scores on weak opponents like the Pats sometimes do. If you want some stats, try these on for size....Over that 9-week span you referenced :

Each team had wins over Cleveland, Cincinnati, Jets, Baltimore, and Buffalo. Thus, we can neutralize those. Here's the rest of their schedules:

Pittsburgh : played Philadelphia, Washington, Jacksonville, Giants. Combined record of 34-30. Steelers went 4-0 in these games.

Patriots : played St. Louis, Kansas City, Miami, and San Francisco. Combined record of 21-43. New England went 3-1 in these games.

So, if you want to look at which team played better ball over the second half of the season, there are a number of different ways to look at it....

 

[Evilgrin72]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:46 AM] Don't mind me... I'm just stirring up #### before the game this Sunday

This is what makes it fun.You're my BOY, Blue !!!!!!!!! :rotflmao:

 

[dansav]

,Jan 18 2005, 10:25 AM]

Let's forget about ancient history and look at the last 9-games for both teams.PATRIOTS margin of victory in last 9-games = 14.7ptsSTEELERS margin of victory in last 9-games = 7.1ptsOf these last 9-games, let's take a look at the common opponents.  Teams include BAL, CLE, CIN, NYJ, and BUF.......PATS score 153 and let up 59 (NE outscores by 94)Steeler score 112 and let up 72 (PIT outscores by 40)The Steelers know they are lucky to be in this AFC championship game after the Jets blew the win 2 times in the same game.Result in Sunday's game Pats win hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post but the Stillers fans won't be hearing anything like that. I give it 2-3 posts before your post is "discredited" After all.... That Ben kid is the second coming of Christ. What? He has more Interceptions than TDs in the 2nd half of the season? BAH... that doesn't mean anything.....

Here it comes homey.... Actually, not discrediting the information contained here, but wondering what made you (dansav) decide on a 9-week cutoff, proclaiming everything else to be "ancient history" ? Maybe because using 10 games might have given a different result? Also, if you want to look at those 9 games, tell me what the two teams records are in that span, and then tell me who had a tougher schedule. All these numbers are great, but wins are the bottom line.

The records of both teams were 8-1 (NE lost to MIA and PIT lost to the JETS last week)During this span, NE played 3 playoff teams in which they outscored their opponents 83-32 in those games. This includes the aforementioned JETS who laid the smackdown on PIT last week.During the same span of games PIT played no playoff teams other than the JETS and we all know what happened there.I am not suggesting PIT didn't have a solid run during the middle of the season, by notching a victory against PHI and a depleted NE team. But as you can see the facts are the facts, PIT has struggled while NE has dominated down the stretch. See ya Sunday, Homey!!!!!!

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

PIT lost to the JETS last week

:11: Nice talkin with you.

 

[Drifter]

. This includes the aforementioned JETS who laid the smackdown on PIT last week.

So the Jets are playing the Pats this week? Do you live in Bizarro world?

 

[Franknbeans]

This game will be won in the trenches. Whichever team imposes their will on the other will win the game. That means stopping each other's running games. Pittsburgh historically has been able to slow down Dillon so there is hope. New England has also fared pretty well against Bettis in the playoffs although they have not had to face 2 backs of the caliber of Bettis and Staley... yet. All I can say is good luck to both teams in what should prove to be the most entertaining Championship matchup since 2001 :stillers: Can't wait for Sunday night

 

[Drifter]

I am not suggesting PIT didn't have a solid run during the middle of the season, by notching a victory against PHI and a depleted NE team. But as you can see the facts are the facts, PIT has struggled while NE has dominated down the stretch.

So the Steelers' 2nd and 3rd stringers dominating the Bills (one of the hottest teams in the league at the time) and New England losing to Miami means that the Steelers faltered down the stretch and New England dominated?You do live in Bizarro world don't you?

 

[dansav]

. This includes the aforementioned JETS who laid the smackdown on PIT last week.

So the Jets are playing the Pats this week? Do you live in Bizarro world?

No, but they should be...