New England @ Pittsburgh (1 Viewer)

[pdlglm]

After being completely exhausted from merely watching the jets game, I don't know if I'm up for next week. I would certainly have preferred the Colts to come to town.I'm not so sure though that the Jets debacle will be bad for the Steelers. Had they beaten them soundly, they would have been favored in the 2 to 3 pts range. Now everyone will expect them to lose.The Jets game really was a redux of the 01' AFC title game. Jets offense doesn't do much but we give up a special teams score and a Int for td. I really can't believe we pulled it out. The thing is, having watched every game the Steelers have played this year; they have not had back to back bad games. Certainly Ben hasn't.. I don't think they play as poorly next week.In wk 10, Ben was pretty good against the Pats (and I don't recall Dillon playing defense). He went 18-24-194 with 2tds and no ints. Meanwhile Brady threw 2ints including a pick for a td. He also fumbled to set up a Pitt td as did Keving Faulk. The game couldn't have gone better for Pitt as the Pats continually gave us the ball on their end of the field.I think the Steelers bounce back this week and win this one, unless the Pats get a punt return TD and a blocked fg TD, then all bets are off. But it is likely to be excruciatingly close; and that's good for the Pats as we all know.As for the NFC, you've got to remember... those were the Jets and Colts getting beat this weekend. Not a couple of 8-8 teams. In the NFC the Jets would have been even money to go to the super bowl and the Colts would have waltzed right in.

 

[TheLaw]

Top/main RBs vs. Steelers D this season:wk1: OAK, Whealtly - 24 yds, 2.2ypc, 0tdwk2: BAL, Lewis - 62yds, 2.6, 2TDs (ONLY STEELERS LOSS)wk3: MIA, Henry - 41 yds, 2.0, 0 TDwk4: CIN, Johnson - 123, 5.1, 1TDwk5: CLE, Suggs - 30, 2.7, 0TDwk6: BYEwk7: DAL, George - 28, 2.8, 0TDwk8: NE, Faulk - 4, .8, 0TD wk9: PHI, Westbrook - 17, 2.8, 0TDwk10: CLE, Suggs - 38, 2.1, 0TDwk11: CIN, Johnson - 62, 3.9, 0TDwk12: WAS, Portis - 17, 2.8, 0TDBetts - 34, 4.3, 0TDwk13: JAX, Taylor - 76, 2.8, 0TDwk14: NYJ, Martin - 72, 3.0, 0TDwk15: NYG, Tiki - 76, 4.2, 1TDwk16: BAL, Lewis - 26, 1.9, 1TDwk17: BUF, Willis - 79, 4.4, 2TD (against the 2nd and 3rd string)playoffs:NYJ: Martin - 77, 4.1, 0TDI'm not too worried about Corey Dillon. Steelers - 17Pats - 13

 

[cracKer]

You gents have forgotten the Steelers know Dillon and know him well.

18-74 (4.1) with 5 TDsDillon's career avg v. Pitt (12 games)

 

[Johnny Ice]

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 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.

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.

You say both will be equally motivated. Did you say that with a straight face? You had to be laughing your #### off. :rotflmao:

 

[bostonfred]

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.

The Steelers O line didn't have their way with the Patriots' D line until the second half. The Steelers had already gotten up to a big lead off turnovers and Law's injury in the first half, which allowed them to run the ball twenty times in the first half and put together the classic back breaking drive in the second half. To me, that suggests that the key for the Steelers is to score early and then control the ball, and the key for the Patriots is to keep the Steelers behind so they can't rely on the slow ball control drives. The winner of this game will probably be decided in the first three quarters.

 

[Dynasty]

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=NFL

The Bellagio in Las Vegas has the Patriots at -3. I believe the o/u was 37.

 

[Naked]

I don't even think this game will be close. NE will trample PITT. The score might be closer than a blowout, but NE will control the game. That Defense will confuse the Rookie, he was lucky he escaped the Jets.

 

[Pitty]

I don't even think this game will be close. NE will trample PITT. The score might be closer than a blowout, but NE will control the game. That Defense will confuse the Rookie, he was lucky he escaped the Jets. And plus, Corey Dillon is playing and our head coach is a genius.

Fixed.

 

[Pitty]

Ignorant Patriot fans, feel free to just copy and paste that for the rest of the week.

 

[tommyboy]

I don't even think this game will be close. NE will trample PITT. The score might be closer than a blowout, but NE will control the game. That Defense will confuse the Rookie, he was lucky he escaped the Jets.

this is a poor post, you can do better.

 

[tommyboy]

Pitt will need to score early against them and then run, mix in a few play action bombs, and run some more. They'll have to do a much better job on time of possession than they did vs the Jets. This whole game will be about who controls the clock. Both teams love to hog the clock.

 

[BGP]

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.

I've grown to like the efficiency ratings for two reasons.1. It makes logical sense that they should give a truer measure of how good offenses and defenses are. Its equivalent to measuring an RB by yards per carry or a QB by yards per catch. If you just look at the raw data, well, they can be skewed. Raw defensive numbers can be inflated if that team also has a ball-control offense, for example. Or you could have an offense that streaks between the 20s and piles up yards but bogs down in the red zone. Efficiencies refine the data a little bit better.

2. They have a strong correlation to determining winners and losers at this point in the season. The raw numbers are not as strong as the efficiencies.

If you don't like them, that's fine. Even I don't totally lean on them. I can point to a number of fundamental factors that make be cringe when thinking about picking these Steelers.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

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 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.

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.

You say both will be equally motivated. Did you say that with a straight face? You had to be laughing your #### off. :rotflmao:

Trust me, dude. Everybody, is laughing at you, for thinking the Patriots have more motivation than the Steelers. That is downright hysterical, you fool. Yeah, the Steelers will be like, looking pass the Patriots. And who cares about the SuperBowl, anyway... Again...:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

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.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Pitt needs to worry about NE and not Philly. They won't play any NFC team if they lose to NE.

And thanks for that nugget... :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: Don't know where we'd be without you.

 

[Bill Young]

I called it during the game against the Jets. I knew the Steelers would not be favored at home no matter which of the teams playing on Sunday they would be playing next Sunday.I am a life-long Steelers fan. I love my Steelers to death. And where my heart is telling me that the Steelers will win, my head tells me differently.I believe this will be the end of Big Ben's rookie season.The Patriots will win, though it will be closer than most Patriots fans believe.But I will be rooting for my beloved Steelers none the less. I just won't be disappointed if they don't go to the Super Bowl.But I will be elated if they do! :stillers: :stillers: :stillers:

 

[Mr.Happy]

Steelers are a TREMENDOUS team. And believe it or not, their X-Factor is.......THE QB! Big Ben, this whole game will come down to you. Turn the ball over twice and your team could be seriously ####ed. Bus is very good, Staley is very good, the OL is good, Ward/Plax/El are all good. Big Ben time. Belichick is 13-0 in a season the second time he faces a QB. That is a powerful statistic.The Steelers defense mystifies me. But in a way, they shouldn't. Polamalu is reaching Ed Reed level, and their linebackers are filthy. The rest of the team is built on Bill Cowher toughness.Could it come down to special teams again?

 

[Steelers4Life]

People can talk about Bellichek controlling Big Ben all they want.221 yards. 4.5 yards per carry. Those were the Steelers' team rushing stats from their first meeting, and now Seymour is either gimpy or out. Yes, I know that they were able to run that many times because of their early lead, but the fact remains that the Steelers were able to run at will against the Patriots even though they knew what was coming for over 3 quarters. If that holds true in this week's matchup, I like the Steelers' chances. The Jets did did well controlling the running game until the 2nd half, but the Steelers' OL really controlled the last 30 minutes and overtime.I don't care how bad (6 carries, 5 yards?) the Patriot's running game was in their first meeting. Dillon didn't play, but there hasn't been a RB all year who had any consistent success against the Steelers. Dillon will be no exception this week.Running game, special teams, and turnovers... whoever wins 2 of those 3 will win the game.

 

[Tricktickler P. Shizzle]

I'm just waiting to see if the Stillers come out and start yapping about how they've already booked their flights and hotel rooms forJacksonville. Or did they learn something since four years ago.

 

[Black&Gold]

If the Steelers rush for 193 yards(4.4 yds/carry) in 43 carries this week, they'll be heading to Jacksonville. They manhandled one of the best run defenses in the league last week. The Steelers CAN NOT make the dumb mistakes again though. The Patriots will take advantage of them. A couple of the final drives, Ben looked like he was letting the pressure get to him. That was the first I'd seen it this year. Some of the local gurus were saying that his thumb was bothering him. I'm calling on that. You can't hold that against him though. He's been amazing this year. I look for him to rebound this week. Should be fun. But unless Ben plays "Kordel-like", the Black and Gold should win. Here We Go!!!! :stillers: :stillers: :stillers:

 

[Statorama]

If the Patriots O-Line is allowed to hold like they did against Indy, they'll beat Pittsburgh by 20 or more.Edit to add: I think it's really cool that the Patriots find all these different rules to break in their playoff games with Indy. Last year it was "lets hold onto their receivers all the time. They can't call it on EVERY play". This year it was "lets just tackle their defensive linemen all the time. They can't call it EVERY play".They do it to Indy all the time, let's see if they get away with it in Pitt.

 

[Black&Gold]

Early line is Pats +3

 

[jgb95]

Here are Corey's # vs Pitt the last three years w/ Cincy: GAMEDATE Opp RESULT GS Att Yds Avg Lg TD Rec Yds Avg Lg TD Fum Rec Yds TD 10/07/01 @Pittsburgh L 7-16 Yes 19 64 3.4 10 0 1 -2 -2.0 -2 0 0 0 0 0 12/30/01 Pittsburgh W 26-23 Yes 21 91 4.3 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 10/13/02 Pittsburgh L 7-34 Yes 17 57 3.4 11 1 2 19 9.5 11 0 0 0 0 0 11/24/02 @Pittsburgh L 21-29 Yes 19 60 3.2 10 2 1 5 5.0 5 0 0 0 0 0 09/21/03 Pittsburgh L 10-17 Yes 7 26 3.7 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/30/03 @Pittsburgh W 24-20 Yes 10 48 4.8 13 0 1 3 3.0 3 0 0 0 0 0

 

[jgb95]

Hey Statorama as many D Linemen and O Linemen there could be a holding penalty on every play in the NFL. Quite the sour grapes.

 

[Mr.Happy]

If the Patriots O-Line is allowed to hold like they did against Indy, they'll beat Pittsburgh by 20 or more.Edit to add: I think it's really cool that the Patriots find all these different rules to break in their playoff games with Indy. Last year it was "lets hold onto their receivers all the time. They can't call it on EVERY play". This year it was "lets just tackle their defensive linemen all the time. They can't call it EVERY play".They do it to Indy all the time, let's see if they get away with it in Pitt.

:rotflmao: Either you are a Colts fan, or a gambler.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Early line is Pats +3

Pinnaclesports.com has it as Pats -3. Hence your ?

 

[Statorama]

I'm not a big fan of either the Colts or the Pats. Just an unbiased football fan that reported what I saw. While all the attention was on the receivers (from the Colts cry job last year) the Patriots took the initiative to blatantly hold on every running play. Kevin Faulk (edit to add "of all people") looked like a Hall of Famer out there. Dillon just looked fantastic. Easy to do when you get five yards before anyone touches you.I thought it was a brilliant move on the Patriots part actually.I was just hoping to see a good football game, and was kind of dissapointed that those kind of shenanigans were taking place.

 

[Family Matters]

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 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.

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.

You say both will be equally motivated. Did you say that with a straight face? You had to be laughing your #### off. :rotflmao:

Trust me, dude. Everybody, is laughing at you, for thinking the Patriots have more motivation than the Steelers. That is downright hysterical, you fool. Yeah, the Steelers will be like, looking passed the Patriots. And who cares about the SuperBowl, anyway... Again...:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

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.

Response of a someone who lost a load this weekend on another "can't miss lock". :rotflmao:

 

[thejag]

I'm not a big fan of either the Colts or the Pats. Just an unbiased football fan that reported what I saw. While all the attention was on the receivers (from the Colts cry job last year) the Patriots took the initiative to blatantly hold on every running play. Kevin Faulk (edit to add "of all people") looked like a Hall of Famer out there. Dillon just looked fantastic. Easy to do when you get five yards before anyone touches you.I thought it was a brilliant move on the Patriots part actually.I was just hoping to see a good football game, and was kind of dissapointed that those kind of shenanigans were taking place.

After reading this same post in another thread, I get the distinct impression that while you may not be an Indy fan, you definitely dsilike the Pats. I'll say the same thing here: Every line holds on almost every play of every NFL game. Watch the Indy line yesterday and you'll see the same thing as you saw when you watched the Pats, and the same thing with Pitts and the Jets on Saturday.

 

[Payne]

I'm now convinced BB is a genius. Missing his top 2 corners, he developed a gameplan to limit the Colts to 3 points. 3 points!!I think Big Ben and Co are in for a rude awakening as I see the Pats D picking off the young rookie a few times and winning this game comfortably.And I don't even like the Pats.

 

[Turf Toe killed Me]

19-6 Pats win.Still no TD on Pats D.stiller fans...remember "one for the thumb"?....Pat's stick it up yer bum!!!

 

[Evilgrin72]

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.

The Steelers O line didn't have their way with the Patriots' D line until the second half. The Steelers had already gotten up to a big lead off turnovers and Law's injury in the first half, which allowed them to run the ball twenty times in the first half and put together the classic back breaking drive in the second half. To me, that suggests that the key for the Steelers is to score early and then control the ball, and the key for the Patriots is to keep the Steelers behind so they can't rely on the slow ball control drives. The winner of this game will probably be decided in the first three quarters.

Agreed. That's basically the Steelers' recipe for success in every game. Pound Bettis and Staley at you until your defense wears down. I have yet to see a team be able to stop Pittsburgh's running attack in the 4th quarter. If the Pats can knock them out of their game plan, and can hold their own on the lines late, they can win.I felt Pittsburgh got the best of the line on the defensive side of the ball all day long. It was their ability to get pressure on Brady early that got them that big lead. I expect the Pats to do a better job picking up the blitzes this time around.

 

[NE_REVIVAL]

If I may interupt and say IMO both teams have plenty enough motivation so I don't see it being much of a factor. NE being favored @Pittsburgh is certainly motivation for the Steelers but NE having their ### kicked the last time there is plenty of motivation for NE.Had Pitt not already played and beaten NE this year I think Pitt would have had a big edge in the motivation department given what went on in 01 and since.But unless Cowher makes the mistake of publicly telling his players to get their SB arrangements taken care of by Tuesday I don't see either team having a motivation edge It certainly isn't a newsflash to say this game will come down to coaching & execution for 2 teams that are both very solid all around teams with few weaknesses.IF there is a significant mental factor that will come into play it is IMO pressure not motivation. IMO even though they are slight underdogs the Steelers will have more pressure on them to win and maybe a little more self doubt. The Steelers & their coaching staff have a recent history of not playing their best in their biggest of games. That combined with the unknown of a rookie quarterback, their play against NYJ and a foe that is clearly their equal puts a lot of pressure on the Steeler side of the ball. NE has proven themselves in big games and that SHOULD help them hold up in the hostile envronment they are about to enter.Pitt is a terrific team and I am not saying they are going to lose or fold or anything like that. I am a NE fan trying to look at the game from different angles and see where NE might have an advantage against an opponent that is clearly their equal.I think it is going to be a classic dog fight but IMO it is much more important for the Steelers to break on top than it is for NE.What say you Steeler fans?

 

[MallRat]

I'm not a big fan of either the Colts or the Pats. Just an unbiased football fan that reported what I saw. While all the attention was on the receivers (from the Colts cry job last year) the Patriots took the initiative to blatantly hold on every running play. Kevin Faulk (edit to add "of all people") looked like a Hall of Famer out there. Dillon just looked fantastic. Easy to do when you get five yards before anyone touches you.

NE total points scored: 3rdIND total points allowed: 19th

NE total offense, yardage: 6th

IND total defense, yardage allowed: 29th

NE 3rd down efficiency: 5th

IND 3rd down conversions allowed: 26th

NE rushing offense, scoring: 9th

IND rushing defense, scoring allowed: 14th

NE rushing offense, yardage: 6th

IND rushing defense, yardage allowed: 24th

Sure. No mismatch there, right?

It wasn't holding. It wasn't dirty tricks. It was an excellent rushing offense taking a crappy rush defense to the woodshed.

-MR

 

[Steelers4Life]

What say you Steeler fans?

I say that the Steelers have a big advantage both running the ball and stopping the run. I think that'll be a huge difference in a game that figures to be dominated by field position and turnover battles.In this game more than any other all year, I want to see Ben avoid sacks, make plays with his feet, make plays in the passing game to move the chains, and avoid turnovers. Anything else (i.e. long TD passes) is a bonus, and I hope he doesn't try to do too much. If he can do those things, I think the Steelers will be going to the Super Bowl. If not, they aren't going to beat the Pats with 3 turnovers and while giving up both a special teams AND a defensive TD. The Pats should be able to muster some yardage running the ball, but their offense will need to make plays in the passing game. This year's Steelers' defense is exceptional at running to the ball and tackling because of improved team speed, and that'll be tested by Brady's short passing game.I see the Steelers pulling it out by taking the game over in the second half behind the running game and offensive line. Hopefully special teams don't bite them in the ### like they did in 2001. Twenty points should be enough to beat the Patriots this week. Steelers win, 23-16, but this is going to be a great game.

 

[wadegarrett]

New England 24Pittsburgh 16

 

[Steeler]

IF there is a significant mental factor that will come into play it is IMO pressure not motivation. IMO even though they are slight underdogs the Steelers will have more pressure on them to win and maybe a little more self doubt. The Steelers & their coaching staff have a recent history of not playing their best in their biggest of games. That combined with the unknown of a rookie quarterback, their play against NYJ and a foe that is clearly their equal puts a lot of pressure on the Steeler side of the ball. NE has proven themselves in big games and that SHOULD help them hold up in the hostile envronment they are about to enter.Pitt is a terrific team and I am not saying they are going to lose or fold or anything like that. I am a NE fan trying to look at the game from different angles and see where NE might have an advantage against an opponent that is clearly their equal.I think it is going to be a classic dog fight but IMO it is much more important for the Steelers to break on top than it is for NE.What say you Steeler fans?

I've thought about that too and I agree that the Pats have the mental edge as you described.However, I think the Steelers O matches up better against the Pats than the Colts did. I think it's much harder to create a new scheme or wrinkle to stop a smash mouth running team than it is to create different looks and such to disrupt a passing team. If the Steelers come out playing smash mouth football on their first series, and continue with it throughout the game the Pats could wear down.... and there is no scheme to help that. I hope the Steelers game plan is to run the ball 50 times. Ben just needs to make a few key completions and make no big mistakes and the Steelers will have a chance. The key will be no mistakes.In addition, I think the lose of the starting CBs for the Pats will be a bigger factor in this game than agains the Colts as crazy as that sounds. The Pats basically played a lot of zone and kept the Colts away from the big play which didn't expose the "weakened" Pats secondary. However, the Pats are probably going to have to commit more guys to the box in order to try to slow down the Steelers running game which might leave the Pats CBs in more one-on-one situations. Hopefully, Burress and Ward would be able to take advantage of that situation if it arises.It should be a great game.

 

[Varmint]

As much as I'd love to see the Steelers in the Superbowl....I'm afraid that NE will simply be too much for them to handle. I think that it's all going to come down to the play of the QB's.....and Brady wins the big games.I hope I'm wrong........we'll see.NE......27Pit......17

 

[NE_REVIVAL]

I agree with the sentiment that Pitt has the edge at OL and smash mouth football and the scheme to try and stop that is to crowd the LOS. I know you still need the bodies to make the plays but in spite of what happened in late October I believe NE's D can and will do a much BETTER job of stoppping the run. I do not agree that NE's secondary woes will be a significant factor in Pitts favor. What many don't realize is Gay & Samuel are pretty decent corners and along with Wilson & Harrison they have jelled into a solid unit. Depth at DB is still a concern but it seems to me that in order for the Steelers to take advantage of NE's lack of depth at DB they would need to get away from what they do best. I don't think the Steelers are going to have Ben drop back and starting throwing the ball all over the field unless they were to fall behind.Unlike their game against Indy I expect NE will focus on keeping Ben in the pocket and colapse it as opposed to what they did with Manning which was try and get him to move. IMO, NE has an edge at QB, certainly in experience if nothing else and that SHOULD lead to an advantage at throwing the ball.Again it should be a classic

 

[DerangedGridironGeek]

I'm not a big fan of either the Colts or the Pats. Just an unbiased football fan that reported what I saw. While all the attention was on the receivers (from the Colts cry job last year) the Patriots took the initiative to blatantly hold on every running play. Kevin Faulk (edit to add "of all people") looked like a Hall of Famer out there. Dillon just looked fantastic. Easy to do when you get five yards before anyone touches you.

NE total points scored: 3rdIND total points allowed: 19th

NE total offense, yardage: 6th

IND total defense, yardage allowed: 29th

NE 3rd down efficiency: 5th

IND 3rd down conversions allowed: 26th

NE rushing offense, scoring: 9th

IND rushing defense, scoring allowed: 14th

NE rushing offense, yardage: 6th

IND rushing defense, yardage allowed: 24th

Sure. No mismatch there, right?

It wasn't holding. It wasn't dirty tricks. It was an excellent rushing offense taking a crappy rush defense to the woodshed.

-MR

I anticipate a very physical game...where turnovers could make the difference. IMO...Pats will come out passing and try to get up early on Pittsburgh to eliminate the Pitt running game. Most of those passes will be short to move up field slowly and counter the blitz. This will be a low scoring and close game...Pats win by 3.Also, Statorama....I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken with regard to the holding. The Pats beat a good Indy team fair and square. Your reaching for excuses is BS. Then you wonder why all the Pats' fans cry for lack of respect. Just give them their props cause they won and deserved it.

Now, with regard to the Steelers fans predicting a domination.....get a grip and take the homer glasses off. These are the world champions coming to your house that just beat a pretty good Indy team. I can understand any arguement predicting a Steeler victory...but a domination is again......just a total lack of respect. If you guys want to stop hearing the Pats fan whine....perhaps you should try and look at things a little more unbiasedly.

 

[Steeler]

I do not agree that NE's secondary woes will be a significant factor in Pitts favor. What many don't realize is Gay & Samuel are pretty decent corners and along with Wilson & Harrison they have jelled into a solid unit. Depth at DB is still a concern but it seems to me that in order for the Steelers to take advantage of NE's lack of depth at DB they would need to get away from what they do best. I don't think the Steelers are going to have Ben drop back and starting throwing the ball all over the field unless they were to fall behind.

I'm not suggesting that the Steelers will or should start chucking the ball all over the lot. What I hope will happen is that NE has to stack the line to stop the Steelers running game, which I hope will give Ben a few more one-on-one opportunities against Gay & Samuel who are good, but not as good at Poole and Law. If all that plays out, it should be a slight advantage for Burress and Ward. That's all I meant... not that it was going to be a huge advantage for Pitt.

 

[RBM]

Who will win? Patriots [ 48 ] [49.48%] Steelers [ 48 ] [49.48%] Total Votes: 96

Great stuff

 

[pecorino]

steelers fan here. i think this game will be very close and low scoring. two teams who would love to run the ball, control the clock and pound the other team into submission.i'll call it a 1-point game, maybe 17-16. give the win to the Pats if Richard Seymour plays. if he doesn't, then i'll take the steelers by 1.

 

[fred_1_15301]

At first I was surprised that the Steelers were underdogs going into this game. I don't think it's very often where a 16-1 team playing at home in the playoffs would be the underdog. However, with the poor showing against the jets coupled with the Pats strong showing against the colts the pats are favored and rightfully so. This is a short-term memory league and if this game were played immediately after the Pats lost to the Phins, the Steelers would be favored by at least 6. I think these teams are pretty even but the difference is the Steelers are a little healthier right now. The Steelers beat up on the Pats minus dillon but I can say that he won't be a huge factor in this game either. For the pats to win, Belichick will have to pull something ingenius like he did in the season opener of 2002 where he started the game with like 25 consecutive pass plays. If this game is physical, I have to give the edge to the Steelers. If it turns into a high-scoring game of finesse, the edge surely goes to the pats. As a Steeler fan, I'm extremely worried and although I'm picking the steelers I have absolutely no clue who will win this game. One thing we should all be able to agree on (except maybe bitter colts fans) is that the best 2 teams in the nfl are playing this week and this is the real superbowl.

 

[steelerfan1]

Being a Steelerfan in Mass, I have to say my stomach is a mess right now.Looking at this game as objectively as possible:Having Dillon and Branch back to me is an upgrade over our last meeting.If Seymore can't go that is a downgrade in our last meeting.Although Willie Williams has been playing well, he worries me a little bit this week. I think Givens could have a good game.Big Ben looked like he was aiming a lot of his passes lastweek instead of just letting them go. He did look a lot better later in the game, minus the Plax throw though. Hopefully the Playoff Jitters are over and the thumb is a non issue for the coming week.I also feel that we will be able to run the ball on the Pats, and hopefully we can get a deep 1 to Plax this week as well.Bottom line for me: The team that turns the ball over, or makes a STUPID Penalty late in the game Loses it this week.The Colts demolish the Broncos causing a lot of "experts to pick the Colts over the Pats.The Pats demolish the Colts causing a lot of the "experts to pick the Pats over the Steelers.I LOVE this trend. GO STEELERS!!!!

 

[kupcho1]

Whiny Tools 9Steelers 6This will be a defensive struggle with points coming at a huge premium. The winds will be swirling off the confluence and both kickers will combine to miss 3 field goals (Vinatieri 1, Reed 1, with the Reed miss will be more costly, coming late in the 4th quarter - a la Brien and before him Kaeding).Steelers will bottle up the Tools' offense, but the Tools will have great field position throughout the game due to superior special teams play.Steelers will move the ball consistently between the 20s, but fail to punch it in. Big Ben's propensity for 2 or 3 rookie mistakes a game will hurt, but not to the tune of an INT TD return.

 

[gadkins]

Steelers fan here. I like the steelers in this one. The only way to beat the Steelers is to stop the run. I don't see that happening. Everybody is talking about how Belichick will come up with a game plan to stop the Steelers. The whole league knows the Steelers are going to run the ball and cannot stop them. I think **** LeBeau is more than capable of coming up with a game plan to stop the Pats again.

 

[bj8288]

Another Steelers fan, first post also.....I am terrified of Bill Belichek. The early games in 2002 still haunt me (Raiders/Patriots) to this day. They exploited our pass defense more than any team I have seen watching the Steelers for lots of years. That said, our LBs and secondary come up and actually know how to tackle this year. Speed is the main factor there, and the Steelers are able to get off the field this year because of it. Dillion should be a non-factor. The Steelers under Cowher historically have had the best rush D in the league, nothing will change here. Sure you can rip a couple runs, by more often than not runs against them for no gain. Running on first and second down still leaves opposing teams with 3rd and longs....The Pats should throw, throw, and throw some more. The blitz is not getting there anymore, the Steelers sack totals have really dropped off the 2nd half of the season.I feel like the Steelers are already spotting the Pats 7, though, due to special teams. Special teams have consistantly been horrible for the last decade. Can the Steelers overcome that? Certainly. As long as Ben makes key first downs getting out of the pocket to keep drives going, the Steelers offense is very tough to stop. They have playmakers all over the field and can ram it down the throat of every NFL team. I seriously belive that. IF Ben can hit a couple big plays, not make mistakes, and have a lead in the 2nd half I think they win the game. Lots to ask for a rookie, I know, but even Belichek will not be able to stop the consistant pounding of a Steeler run game in the 2nd half with a lead.Again, the main factor is the Steelers coming up and making tackles and get off the field. The Steelers have done this all year, they need to do it for one more game to go to Jacksonville. Even with Chad Scott playing nickel in a very improved secondary, I can just see the Patriots dinking and dunking all day and throwing 25 times like they did in 2002. Players have changed but the scheme really hasn't. It's the best way to attack the Steelers.Most posts in this thread have been pretty consistant with some of these points, great thread, very knowledgeable fans. I hope the Steelers can pull it out. Should be an amazing game.

 

[[icon]]

Dillon will be a non-factor.

Quoting this for prosperity. :rotflmaoilllon - 70-80 yds and 1 TD

 

[Hatchdog33]

If the Patriots O-Line is allowed to hold like they did against Indy, they'll beat Pittsburgh by 20 or more.Edit to add: I think it's really cool that the Patriots find all these different rules to break in their playoff games with Indy. Last year it was "lets hold onto their receivers all the time. They can't call it on EVERY play". This year it was "lets just tackle their defensive linemen all the time. They can't call it EVERY play".

They do it to Indy all the time, let's see if they get away with it in Pitt.

That's some good stuff there bro. Will this ever end

It's always something besides the Pats being better with some people.

 

[dansav]

If the Patriots O-Line is allowed to hold like they did against Indy, they'll beat Pittsburgh by 20 or more.Edit to add: I think it's really cool that the Patriots find all these different rules to break in their playoff games with Indy. Last year it was "lets hold onto their receivers all the time. They can't call it on EVERY play". This year it was "lets just tackle their defensive linemen all the time. They can't call it EVERY play".They do it to Indy all the time, let's see if they get away with it in Pitt.

Statorama,The Colts were beaten by a better team. The Patriots have outplayed them all year long. Even with the ridiculously overinflated offensive statistics, the problem with Indy has been the same all year. Not just for this game. They cannot stop the run. Has every team they played this year been holding? The onslaught of rushing was nothing new to this inept defense. The fact is that Indy has not and cannot stop the run. Let's not blame it on the refs.Also...in this game isn't the real problem the Indy offense? They couldn't run the football at all in this game. The Indy defense did its job. They held the Patriots to 20 points. Their offense couldn't keep them in the game. The "noncalled" holding penalties that you refer to were more likely the Indy defense trying to get a rest while leaning on the Patriot's offensive lineman.Have a nice offseason.