Fencer

Peek at the Week: Protection in your pocket? Key in N.E. - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Judge picks the Steelers over the Pats. His theory is that the Pats don't have a pass rush, the Steelers do, Ben R. is a better QB than Cassell anyway, and one can't run on the Steelers.

It makes one wonder why the teams are only one game apart in the standings -- but he ascribes a lot of importance to pass-rushing LBs, and hence to the absence of Thomas.

BelichickFan

I would pick the Steelers too, until we can stop the pass and show that Cassel is for real against a top five calibur defense we are nothing but a big, fat question mark. I hope you are all ripping me for that in 48 hours but if I had to put money on it, it wouldn't be on the Patriots.

ALP

but the steelers can ran on us?

Big ben better then cassel? debatable...defenetely not lately

the pass rush is the only difference, but then again, we can protect better then the steelers can

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Last time I lived in New England the Pats became a Dynasty

Then I moved away and they haven't won since

...now I'm moving back, and a Lombardi I predict

Pat the Pats Fan

Our protection and Cassel's ability to get rid of the ball or scramble have improved. Although both teams have given up 35 sacks this season, they are not equal.

In the last 5 games, the Pats have given up 9 sacks, average of less than 2 per game. That is also, about 25% of the season total of sacks. Definitely improving. For the first 7 games, the Pats gave up 26 sacks, or 3 per game.

The Steelers on the other hand over the past 5 games have given up 16 sacks. That is about 46% of their season total of sacks. They are continuing to give up sacks at about the same rate all season, 3 per game.

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A sarcastic Bill Belichick on Tom Brady's finger injury, "It's not life threatening."

PATSYLICIOUS

I think we can beat the Steelers, but he makes very good points. We have gotten obliterated on defense the past 2 weeks since AD went down, and the Steelers pass attack is nothing to sneeze at.

This will be a big test for Cassel and the Oline.

Sicilian

It'll be a lot tougher without Parker, but our 4.0 ypc allowed is good for 15th in the league. We're not getting gashed like the 2006 Colts (regular season), but the run defense has been somewhat inconsistent I feel.

PatsFan2

Good Offensive Tackle play is key tomorrow...Matt Light have played Great all season. It's Kaczur i am worried about...i think Kaczur's play at RT is going to be key to our success Tomorrow, especially in the passing game.

Pats726

I would not say obliterated...I think that is an overstatement..they were lacking on third downs...but they did stop teh Fins a number of times..same with the Jets..obliterated would mean a lot worse. Does teh D need help?? yes.. in time.

Patsfanin Philly

The Steelers gave up 9 sacks in week 3 vs Philadelphia as Jim Johnson designed a defense to confuse Big Ben who didn't know which way to turn and had no time to make his progressions. If the Pats mimic the Eagle strategy from that day, they should be able to have the same success, especially if Parker is out and they become one dimensional...

Rob0729

I don't know. I like the Pats' chances against the Steelers. The Steelers' went two or three weeks without an offensive TD prior the Bengals game. The Steelers aren't a team likely to exploit the Pats' pass defense. If the Pats can mount an offense, I think they win and possibly handily.

The Pats have been successful neutralizing the Steelers' pass rush in the past by spreading out the offense and doing a lot of short passing. I expect a lot of the same tomorrow.