PATRIOTSFANINPA

I could see a bit of the old Cassel with the dink and dunk in this weeks huge clash against one of the toughest defenses in the league and arguably the best safety in the NFL in Polamalu

I seriously doubt Cassel sniffs anywhere near 400 yards this week

I think the game plan may very well go back to the conservative approach with Cassel tossing short 5 or 10 yard passes in the slot and some screens as I think it will be tough to go long much at all against thier secondary

If Jordan and Morris both play it could make a difference - I expect whichever runs the ball more effectively will win this game and it should be a LOW scoring affair.

Your thoughts?

lostjumper

I think you are right. I don't see the defense of Pittsburgh giving the pats the 1 on 1 matches on our WR's like we saw in the Miami game. If moss is double covered, that should leave some more running room in the middle.

BelichickFan

Of course he won't throw for 400 but the Patriots tend to come out aggressively against Pittsburgh and there's no reason to think they won't this time. They like to spread them out and make it difficult to send all the blitzers while trying to cover 4-5 WR. Tightening up the offense, running and throwing short actually plays into Pittsburgh's hands.

ctpatsfan77

The only way the Patriots go conservative is if they need to in order to protect Cassel.

Last year, even with healthy RBs, they basically didn't even try to run the ball in the second half.

Personally, I think Cassel might actually get 400 yards next week. Not likely, but not impossible.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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BelichickFan

The Patriots seem to think the best way to protect the QB against Pittsburgh is to go 4-5 wide and force them to keep more players in coverage rather than blitzing. It seems to work in general, I hope we have Light for the game. Faulk is also a key, I don't know what his history is against Pittsburgh but screens work great against blitzing defenses.

wistahpatsfan

Cassel runs for 100yds+

Sivy

I see the patriots finally being able to get to the qb consistantly against pit

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"The people who are claiming that the Pats are dead are the same ones who would go up and check if Jason Voorhees is "really" dead by leaning over his body." -Someone at jetnation.

Rob0729

I agree the best way to attack an agressive defense like the Steelers is to spread them out and attack with a lot screens and slants. You gotta use their aggression against them and make them over pursue on short passes. I think Welker and Faulk both should have big games if the offense is effective.

BelichickFan

We'd better, they've allowed 35 sacks in only 334 attempts. As compared to the last two teams, Miami and Jest, who average allowing 21.5 sacks in 353.5 attempts. The Patriots have also allowed 35 sacks but in 375 attempts and most of those sacks were early.

chris_in_sunnyvale

The Pats will open it up against Pittsburgh because they'll have to. Running on the Steelers is an exercise in futility. They probably have the best LB corps in the league.

I hope Matt Light doesn't get suspended. I pity LeVoir or whoever else has to block James Harrison.

On the plus side, Pittsburgh's OL is very shaky at pass protection so the Pats should be able to get to Roethlisberger.

Regards,
Chris