No. The steelers were the only team to own the Pats over the past two seasons when they torched them earlier this year. Steelers 33-13. :stillers:I'll make the first prediction.. Pats 20, Steelers 10
Early lines have the Patriots favored by 2 on the road.
Just go to wherever you place your online bets.http://www.pinnaclesports.com/vwGuestLines...portSubType=NFLEarly lines have the Patriots favored by 2 on the road.
Should be an outstanding game.I sure hope we can make some adjustments and look like the team that we saw in the regular 16 game season (and not the group of ####pants who took the field vs the Jets). I think any fan of either the Patsies or the Stillers who is being honest with themselves will have to admit that these teams match up tremendously well and that each team should be worried about the other. This should be one for the ages. Here's hoping we can reverse the trend of home field AFCC games. :stillers:
Thanks. Not everyone bets online.Just go to wherever you place your online bets.http://www.pinnaclesports.com/vwGuestLines...portSubType=NFLEarly lines have the Patriots favored by 2 on the road.
Study your history. I could see the line tilting a point or two more in the Pats favor, depending on action accumulated during the week. The Stihlers have some ghosts to exorcise to move on to the SB. They've got the capability to do it, but to be the man, you've got to beat the man. In the playoffs, not in regular season.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
The line started at Patriots -3 and dropped to -2 quickly.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
My avatar's attorney would like to speak to you...something about copyright infringement.They've got the capability to do it, but to be the man, you've got to beat the man.
I'm shocked, but at the same time I understand. 2001 still rings very loud in the minds of the gamblers and after the Jets game the fans will be interested to see what is going on with Big Ben.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
Don't sell the NFC short. I think the Falcons and Eagles could suprise us all.Pats 24Steelers 20Looking forward to a terrific game Will be everything the Superbowl won't be....competitive
Philly vs. AFC: 2-2Atlanta vs. AFC: 3-1Advantage: NFCMany sold the Panthers short last year and it ended up being one of the most competitive Super Bowls ever.I think we're in for a treat this year with the top 2 teams duking it out in each conference. No more blowoutsPats 24Steelers 20Looking forward to a terrific game Will be everything the Superbowl won't be....competitive
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: What are the Patriots and Steelers records vs. the NFC?Philly vs. AFC: 2-2Atlanta vs. AFC: 3-1Advantage: NFC
Pitt already gave the donkey treatment to philly this year, and that was with Owens. Pitt owns them.Philly vs. AFC: 2-2Atlanta vs. AFC: 3-1Advantage: NFCMany sold the Panthers short last year and it ended up being one of the most competitive Super Bowls ever.I think we're in for a treat this year with the top 2 teams duking it out in each conference. No more blowoutsPats 24Steelers 20Looking forward to a terrific game Will be everything the Superbowl won't be....competitive
I think you are right, turnovers will be a huge factor and I think special teams will be a deciding factor as well. Special teams is what won the 2001 AFCC game for the Pats over the Steelers. Biggest play of that game is when the Pats blocked a chip shot field goal and ran it back for a TD. That was a 10 point swing that was huge. The Patriots also got a punt return TD from Troy Brown and a relief appearance from Bledsoe that was very impressive. Watching the Jets game this week I felt like I was watching the 2001 AFCC game all over again. I really thought the Steelers would lose and I'm sure if we make that many mistakes against New England they will lose. Anyone think that Vinatieri would miss those field goals that Brien missed? I sure don't. But, if both teams play a mistake free game and special teams are even I really like the Steelers chances. I liked the Steelers chances much better before I watched the Jets game. The Pats having Dillon for the game will make a big difference, this will not be a repeat of the regular season meeting. I think this will be a real good game. Go Steelers! :stillers:It'll come down to turnovers. Tough sledding for Dillon, but BB will mix it up with the Faulkmeister as he did today. The game against the Jets does NOT forbode well for the Stihlers, but that could just be wishful thinking on my part. I'm not happy about having to play at ketchup field, but the Stihlers beat us straight up, so they get the honors.At least the two best teams in the AFC are playing each other.Interesting how both the Eagles and the Falcons looked really good this weekend. Of course the teams they played were not balanced football teams and having suspect coaching, but even so, the cream does rise to the top.
I will take fewer yards allowed (big margin) and fewer points allowed (not so big margin) over yards divided by points anyday.I am concerned about how Big Ben looked this weekend though.Pitt 27NE 14Edited to add: :stillers:Offensive/Defensive Efficienies:-----------Oatriots 5474 yards, 416 points = 13.16Datriots 4654 yards, 253 points = 18.40O:Steelers 5157 yards, 343 points = 15.03D:Steelers 3867 yards, 227 points = 17.04Translation: The Patriots are more efficient on BOTH sides of the ball. Teams that hold such an advantage on their opponent in conference title games are 10-2 in the last 14 years. The two losses are the 98 Vikings to the Falcons and the 03 Eagles to the Panthers. Such teams are also a perfect 7-0 in super bowls in the last 14 years. So the Steelers are up against a 17-2 number at this stage of the playoffs or later.
XTeams that meet your requirements of allowing BOTH fewer yards and fewer points are merely 11-9 in conference title games in the past 14 seasons:I will take fewer yards allowed (big margin) and fewer points allowed (not so big margin) over yards divided by points anyday.I am concerned about how Big Ben looked this weekend though.Offensive/Defensive Efficienies:
-----------
Oatriots 5474 yards, 416 points = 13.16
Datriots 4654 yards, 253 points = 18.40
O:Steelers 5157 yards, 343 points = 15.03
D:Steelers 3867 yards, 227 points = 17.04
Translation: The Patriots are more efficient on BOTH sides of the ball. Teams that hold such an advantage on their opponent in conference title games are 10-2 in the last 14 years. The two losses are the 98 Vikings to the Falcons and the 03 Eagles to the Panthers. Such teams are also a perfect 7-0 in super bowls in the last 14 years. So the Steelers are up against a 17-2 number at this stage of the playoffs or later.
Pitt 27
NE 14
Edited to add: :stillers:
ACP-a little retreat on the horizon? Sounds like you're preparing yourself for a tough game. Can understand that. I am not a big Pats or Steelers fan but the Pats coaching staff and players have my utmost respect. I am still amazed at what they do seemingly without many stars but rather as team players. I don't care who wins but the Steelers will need to play the best game of the year to have a chance.I sure hope we can make some adjustments and look like the team that we saw in the regular 16 game season (and not the group of ####pants who took the field vs the Jets). I think any fan of either the Patsies or the Stillers who is being honest with themselves will have to admit that these teams match up tremendously well and that each team should be worried about the other. This should be one for the ages. Here's hoping we can reverse the trend of home field AFCC games. :stillers:
When GREAT teams play, you can take paper analysis and throw it away.Vegas gives the Pats an edge; I don't.Going to be difficult waiting for this game to arrive....The AFC is going to destroy the NFC in the superbowl. Philly and Atlanta looked much better than they really are since they got to demolish two 8-8 teams.I think the Steelers can win, and hope they do... but I think the Pats should be favored. The Steelers got "lucky" against the Jets and the Pats just shut down the best offense in the history of the NFL. The one thing that bothers me about this game is that EVERYTHING went the Steeler's way in the first meeting and that game will have no impact on this one, except to possibly give the Pats that little extra motivation (not that they need it). The key is going to be for the Steelers to run the ball much more often in the first half than they did this past week against the Jets... if Ben only throws 15 passes I'll be a happy man. It's harder to come up with some exotic scheme against a smash mouth running team than against a passing team, so I hope that works in the Steeler's favor.It should be a great game.
The game they played earlier will be to Pats advantage. Talk about getting these guys motivated. The coaches won't have to say much. That should be easy. I feel sorry for Big Ben this week. The Pats are going to make him look like a rookie.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
Pitt needs to worry about NE and not Philly. They won't play any NFC team if they lose to NE.Pitt already gave the donkey treatment to philly this year, and that was with Owens. Pitt owns them.Philly vs. AFC: 2-2Atlanta vs. AFC: 3-1Advantage: NFCMany sold the Panthers short last year and it ended up being one of the most competitive Super Bowls ever.I think we're in for a treat this year with the top 2 teams duking it out in each conference. No more blowoutsPats 24Steelers 20Looking forward to a terrific game Will be everything the Superbowl won't be....competitive
Both teams will be equally motivated, it's for a trip to the Super Bowl. Besides, all week the Steelers are going to hear they only won the last meeting because Dillon didn't play so they will be fired up as well come gametime.The game they played earlier will be to Pats advantage. Talk about getting these guys motivated. The coaches won't have to say much. That should be easy. I feel sorry for Big Ben this week. The Pats are going to make him look like a rookie.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
Pitt beat NE fair and square and Pitt is good in ALL facets of the game but then again so is NE. The Pitt D may have given up less points but they did not have to face Indy or KC. IMO NE's D is just as good as Pitts and I feel NE has an avantage at QB. Still I can't help but feel the QB advantage MIGHT be outweighed by the HFA.No doubt about it though, it is as it should be and it should be a whale of a game!Maybe it's just me, but I can't lend much credence to a statistic which says that a defense that allowed more points and more yards has an advantage over the one that allowed less of both, regardless of what other numbers piggy-back those. I'll take the defense that allowed less yards and points any day.That said, everyone is trying to break down this game from different angles and I have yet to see anyone make the most salient point. In their regular season meeting, the Steelers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. If the Patriots can find a way to overcome that and even make that matchup a push, they will be in good shape because of their experience. If the Steelers lines have their way again, the result will be the same as last time. It's really that simple.
You say both will be equally motivated. Did you say that with a straight face? You had to be laughing your #### off. :rotflmao:Both teams will be equally motivated, it's for a trip to the Super Bowl. Besides, all week the Steelers are going to hear they only won the last meeting because Dillon didn't play so they will be fired up as well come gametime.The game they played earlier will be to Pats advantage. Talk about getting these guys motivated. The coaches won't have to say much. That should be easy. I feel sorry for Big Ben this week. The Pats are going to make him look like a rookie.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
Why is that funny? The Pats are the defending Super Bowl champs. The Steelers haven't been there in almost a decade. They also have just been made underdogs at home in the AFC Championship Game. No motivation there?I really don't see an edge in motivation making the difference in this game. Both teams will be fired up and ready to play. I'd be willing to say that the Steelers will be hungrier, but that the Pats have the edge in poise and experience. All the intangibles are a push, IMO.You say both will be equally motivated. Did you say that with a straight face? You had to be laughing your #### off. :rotflmao:Both teams will be equally motivated, it's for a trip to the Super Bowl. Besides, all week the Steelers are going to hear they only won the last meeting because Dillon didn't play so they will be fired up as well come gametime.The game they played earlier will be to Pats advantage. Talk about getting these guys motivated. The coaches won't have to say much. That should be easy. I feel sorry for Big Ben this week. The Pats are going to make him look like a rookie.I'm surprised Pittsburgh is the underdog at home. 15-1, at home and they've blown out the team they're playing earlier in the year. I expect that line to come down to at least a pick'em game or Pitts. giving a little.
I thought Staley looked better than Bettis. A combination of the two, getting 20 carries apiece would be really nice.The Steelers will HAVE to run the ball a lot more than they did against the Jets. Why Staley never saw a carry till late in the 3rd still baffles me. Maybe he is still hurt? The intensity wasn't quite there last week. As long as the Steelers don't make too many mistakes, they will win. 3 turnovers and a returned punt aren't going to get it done against the Pats. You will see a different Big Ben this week though. Burress will still exploit the banged up Pats secondary. Dillon will be a non-factor. Great game hinging on turnovers and intangibles. Steelers 24Pats 13 :stillers: :stillers: :stillers: :stillers: :stillers:
Retreat? I hope not...but it's certainly possible. Any Steelers fan who tells you they aren't nervous for this game is either lying or stupid. I know it's going to be a good game...could go either way, depending on who comes in with their best game.ACP-a little retreat on the horizon? Sounds like you're preparing yourself for a tough game. Can understand that.
When I say it to attempt to quiet nay-sayers, I will be lying.Any Steelers fan who tells you they aren't nervous for this game is either lying or stupid.