Gatekeeper

Hi all.

The consensus among many Pats fans seems to be that The Patriots "own" the Steelers, primarily because of the two AFCCG losses at Heinz field. But is this really the case?

The Kordell Stewart era is long gone, so 2001 should not even be a factor. The Pats also thoroughly dismantled the Steelers in Foxboro in 2002, but again, that was a long time ago.

So, let's just focus on the Roethlisberger era. In '04, Pittsburgh laid a solid whoopin' on the Pats at Heinz field, in what was only Roethlisberger's 5th career start in his rookie year, ending the Pat's 21 game win streak.

Later that season, The Pats won fairly handily in the AFCCG, primarily due to the fact that Ben Roethlisberger finally reached his limit after going 14-0 as a rookie.

In the 2005 rematch, the Pats squeaked out a victory by way of a last minute Vinateri field goal, in a game in which the Steelers may have very well won if not for an unwarranted and unexpected Antwaan Randel El lateral, after a long pass play, that resulted in a turnover.

And that was the last time the two teams have played.

So, in the Roethlisberger era, the Pats are only 2-1 against the Steelers. Two games have been blowouts (one for each team), and one game was a hotly contested battle that came right down to the wire.

On top of all this, Ben Roethlisberger wants this game bad. After four years of being labeled as a "game manager" surrounded by a good team, he will be focused and driven to prove that he is more.

I'm not guaranteeing any wins, but I will say:

Watch out New England. Pitt's comin 4 u.

jman924

Since Tom Brady and BB took over New England has played Pittsburg 5 times.
Tom and the Pats are 4-1.
The "Chin" was 1-4.
"Big" Ben is 1-2.

Nice first post.

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We play! That's what we do! We don't talk, we play! You come to Foxboro, it's gonna be snowing, it gonna be cold...Come on in here! You wanna say all you want, you wanna change the rules, change 'em! We still play, and we win, that's what we do!" -Tedy Bruschi

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Kevin Faulk supporter.
Woo-hoo! Second Team baby!

Ice_Ice_Brady

All of those games have been played in Pittsburgh. And I like how the Randel-El fumble constitutes a "what-if" scenario, but the loss of Ty Law and Corey Dillon on the first three plays of the '04 regular season game is something to be expected.

Now it's time for the Steelers and Medium Ben to come into the Pats house for once. I think it will be ugly.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

I don't we "own" anyone. The consensus after the Colts game was the only tough game left was Pitt, and so far that has turned out 2/3 false.

Pats are more talented than Pitt and should win the game, but Pitt is a solid team.

Lloyd_Christmas

I expect a competitive game.

I don't think Pit has looked very good lately, but then again, the Pats have shown some weaknesses as well.

I also don't think that past performance is going to much of a determining factor in this game. I can't imagine the Pats playing as bad as they have the last 2 games, although anything is possible.

I look forward to the contest and I'm grateful that the game will be in Foxborro.

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A Truly Vindictive Fanboy-type Poster

"My name is William Stephen Belichick, Coach of the New England Patriots, Three Time Super Bowl Champion, Defensive Guru, Pride of Karlovac, The Greatest Coach in the History of the NFL Since Vince Lombardi. Target of the spygate lynching, Defender of our Dynasty's legacy. And I will have my vengeance, in this game and the rest."

Patriot Power

Well that seals it, the Patriots have no chance.

How can we possibly argue with tangible football facts like that ?

patriotsdynasty12189

It should be a good game.

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the patsssssssss

Haterproof

The Pats have been in 2 tough games.I think this will be the game in which the offense burst out and defense plays lights out.Nobody here is underestimating the Steelers at all.We'll know what they did in 2005.

Gatekeeper

Thanks.

Last night I head Rodney say that they expect the Steelers to pound the ball with Parker and hold Ben to under 20 throws. I hope they are really expecting that, because I think they will be caught off guard. (Remember Pitt-Indy playoffs '05)

And there's a good chance they are expecting that. The NE run D looked very suspect last night, and if they suspect the Steelers will try to take advantage of that and run the ball all night, it could open up the passing game. And I have a feeling the Pats will spend a lot of time this week on rectifying their run D.

Here's a little tidbit that most football people around the country are not aware of. Even though the Steelers have a rep of being a running team, the running game really hasn't been very dominant this year, as in years past. So if the Pats are too focused on the run game, I expect the passing game to do some damage.

On top of all this, NE's aging defense could be affected by the short week, especially after a physical game.

I have a feeling this is going to be a wild game.

#1 Offense vs. #1 Defense.

The two active quarterbacks with the highest and second highest career winning percentages in the NFL.

The Pats' toughest obstacle left in their pursuit for perfection.

Belichick most likely seething and looking for revenge after Tomlin's early season comments about the video scandal.

The Steelers still having revenge on their minds from the '04 playoffs.

I'm ready to watch this game right now.

Major **********

Oh no! We are doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomed!

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