The official Patriots vs Steelers POST game thread

[RayClay]

Apparently, Rooney will have to fold the franchise once it comes time for Hines Ward to retire. Pittsburgh cannot reasonably be expected to ever win a game without Ward.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Patriots clearly figured they could exploit that Steelers' o-line and Roethlisberger's tendency to hold the ball a bit while looking for his receivers:

Coming into Sunday, the Patriots had sent secondary pass rushers on only 7.2 percent of the total dropbacks against them this season. However, the Patriots sent secondary pressure on 27.3 percent of Ben Roethlisberger’s dropbacks Sunday, their highest percentage of the season. New England blitzed one or more defensive backs on 15 of Roethlisberger’s 55 dropbacks, more than their next three highest single-game totals combined (14).

Inside the numbers: Patriots-Steelers - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[jmt57]

An updated copy and paste from the "panicking" thread - but since it was my own comment there's no copyright infringement.



I went back and looked up how the Pats have responded after a big loss since Belichick became the team's coach. I decided to define 'big loss' as one that was 17 points or more, since that would represent a minimum of three scores.


2010, Week 9: Lost to Browns 34-14
Week 10: Won at Steelers 39-26

2009, Wildcard: Lost to Ravens 33-14
2010 Week 1: Defeated Bengals 38-24

2009, Week 12: Lost at Saints 38-17
Week 13: Lost at Dolphins 22-21

2008, Week 13: Lost to Steelers 33-10
Week 14: Won at Seahawks 24-21

2008, Week 6: Lost at Chargers 30-10
Week 7: Defeated Broncos 41-7

2008, Week 3: Lost to Dolphins 38-13
Week 4: Won at 49ers 30-21

2006, Week 14: Lost at Dolphins 21-0
Week 15: Defeated Texans 40-7

2005, Week 9: Lost to Colts 40-21
Week 10: Won at Dolphins 23-16

2005, Week 4: Lost to Chargers 41-17
Week 5: Won at Falcons 31-28

2003, Week 1: Lost at Bills 31-0
Week 2: Won at Eagles 31-10

2002, Week 16: Lost at Titans 24-7
Week 17: Lost to Jets 30-17

2002, Week 6: Lost to Packers 28-10
Week 8: Lost to Broncos 24-16

2001, Week 4: Lost at Dolphins 30-10
Week 5: Defeated Chargers 29-26

2000, Week 13: Lost at Lions 34-9
Week 14: Defeated Chiefs 30-24

2000, Week 7: Lost to Jets 34-17
Week 8: Lost to Colts 30-23


So the Pats under Belichick are now 11-4 in these situations, winning nine of their last ten in this scenario since the start of the 2003 season. For those ready to concede a loss after a bad game, perhaps that is something to consider if you are in need of a stat or trend to give you some hope.

 

[ATippett56]

Excuse me while I eat some crow...

1. I had this game chalked up as a loss. The team made me look like a dumbass. And I've rarely been happier to look like a dumbass.

I would not sweat it! The New England Patriots played with intensity and conviction. The New England Patriots offensive execution was terrific aside from two drop passes (Tate and Welker) and one questionable offensive pass interference call (Gronkowski).

 

[ATippett56]

I know Gronkowski had a great game today, but I was wondering why he was out there so much more than Hernandez? Was it something to do with pittsburgh's scheme? Any thoughts?

Hernandez needs to work on his blocking.

 

[Haley]

An updated copy and paste from the "panicking" thread - but since it was my own comment there's no copyright infringement.



I went back and looked up how the Pats have responded after a big loss since Belichick became the team's coach. I decided to define 'big loss' as one that was 17 points or more, since that would represent a minimum of three scores.


2010, Week 9: Lost to Browns 34-14
Week 10: Won at Steelers 39-26

2009, Wildcard: Lost to Ravens 33-14
2010 Week 1: Defeated Bengals 38-24

2009, Week 12: Lost at Saints 38-17
Week 13: Lost at Dolphins 22-21

2008, Week 13: Lost to Steelers 33-10
Week 14: Won at Seahawks 24-21

2008, Week 6: Lost at Chargers 30-10
Week 7: Defeated Broncos 41-7

2008, Week 3: Lost to Dolphins 38-13
Week 4: Won at 49ers 30-21

2006, Week 14: Lost at Dolphins 21-0
Week 15: Defeated Texans 40-7

2005, Week 9: Lost to Colts 40-21
Week 10: Won at Dolphins 23-16

2005, Week 4: Lost to Chargers 41-17
Week 5: Won at Falcons 31-28

2003, Week 1: Lost at Bills 31-0
Week 2: Won at Eagles 31-10

2002, Week 16: Lost at Titans 24-7
Week 17: Lost to Jets 30-17

2002, Week 6: Lost to Packers 28-10
Week 8: Lost to Broncos 24-16

2001, Week 4: Lost at Dolphins 30-10
Week 5: Defeated Chargers 29-26

2000, Week 13: Lost at Lions 34-9
Week 14: Defeated Chiefs 30-24

2000, Week 7: Lost to Jets 34-17
Week 8: Lost to Colts 30-23


So the Pats under Belichick are now 11-4 in these situations, winning nine of their last ten in this scenario since the start of the 2003 season. For those ready to concede a loss after a bad game, perhaps that is something to consider if you are in need of a stat or trend to give you some hope.

I think this needs to be stickied.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Tomlin is passing out humble pie...which historically he and this Steelers team have choked on...LOL I think we ascared 'em...LOL

Spot on with Tomlin. Saw his post game and he was very complimentary to the Pats and stated that the Steelers lost in all 3 phases of the game plus coaching. Then in a very un-Belichick mode he gave a detailed ER update on all his game injuries.

That said I fault his coaching for the repeated dirty whacks at Brady.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Gronk 3 tds, BJGE 87 yards 4.8ypc

And....Brady!

One thing I noticed last night was BJGE's involvement on the passing game. I looked it up and prior to last night, he had 7 reception in his career. Last night he had 4 (two for first downs, one for 7 yards and the other for 1 yd) with two right off the bat in the second half. I wonder if this is a one time thing or if it's one more potential weapon as they get him more involved as the primary back...

 

[Kid~Brady]

There were a lot of fans dressed like seats in the third quarter.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I can't believe the PAP worked as well as it did. Glad the Steelers didn't catch on to how we NEVER run on 2nd and long in any game.

 

[strongside]

Haven't seen the D snap #'s yet but Crable should be up their. Looks like he stole some time from cunninghame. Also TBC was on the field a bit more than last couple weeks. Also, wright could vhave top DL snaps. gotta love the moving parts

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Are the Steelers and their fans are still wondering if the Patriots could beat them without the cameras and the 'cheating' ?

Or without the imaginary cameras from the imaginary regular season game in 2001

 

[Dutchmaster617]

Greenie: "It was a good game, if you like the Patriots"

Sums it up perfectly, a huge Pats hater saying we would be crushed Friday has nothing more to say, can't wait for first take and NFLN guys to make their bitter predictions for how lucky we were and how Indy will expose us.

 

[RayClay]

One thing I noticed last night was BJGE's involvement on the passing game. I looked it up and prior to last night, he had 7 reception in his career. Last night he had 4 (two for first downs, one for 7 yards and the other for 1 yd) with two right off the bat in the second half. I wonder if this is a one time thing or if it's one more potential weapon as they get him more involved as the primary back...

He needs to work on that, though. On one big gainer, he bobbled the ball, then almost tripped. to his credit, he made the play and a long gain that was wide open, but that won't always be the case.

He's a worker, so I believe he'll improve, but the catch and turn against some defense is rough. He absolutley needs to add that element, he's not a 250 lb beast, or a speed demon, he needs to throw the defenses off for maximum effectiveness.

 

[ATippett56]

The New England Patriots have won three big road games this year: Miami (Brady's house of horrors), San Diego, and Pittsburgh. Last year, the New England Patriots won only two games on the road.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

yeah...I said the EXACT same thing when they called Gronkowski but then I began focusing on the Pittsburgh offensive holding and post game on DVR ,it's SHOCKING..this game was blatantly being manipulated by that crew...I've never seen that head referee before either...I think network TV is calling shots on these national games

If these crews remain in tact all season, we've seen this group before. The short, fat back or line judge was the guy who screwed us over on multiple easily overturned challenges earlier this season. He's definitely working on some kind of agenda. I guarantee you he was the one who called the interference and push off penalties.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

If these crews remain in tact all season, we've seen this group before. The short, fat back or line judge was the guy who screwed us over on multiple easily overturned challenges earlier this season. He's definitely working on some kind of agenda. I guarantee you he was the one who called the interference and push off penalties.

I thought the push off call was legit. The PI call was total BS. They only way it would make sense is if the defender wasn't playing the ball, but he was.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

I'll admit I was very pessimistic about the game - probably more than any in recent memory. Great job! Congrats!

Oh and Chung is really essential as we all know - but he's becoming Polamalu or Reed good...

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Great game! All I wanted after last week was for the Patriots to be sharp.

Pats had a bad game last week but this week was going to be the tell imo and last night they did what I'd expected them to do. There was no way they'd have another game like last week, and if they did then I'd definitely worry.

It's always awesome when we carve up the Ben and his Squeals, especially in their house:rocker: I'll never forget that year they had their bags packed for the SB; we humiliated them then and we humiliated them last night. Oh, and take THAT refs! Nice try tho

 

[lillloyd]

Congrats on the win. We were thoroughly outplayed and outcoached. It reminded me a bit of the game in '02 when the Pats spread out the Steelers' D and pretty much exposed their pass D...thank God there aren't many teams with the personnel or mindset to do this.

I said before the game the way to beat Pitt is to be patient with quick throws underneath with a very decisive and accurate thrower, and run as a change of pace to the pass. That's pretty much what the Pats did (and frankly they originated the blueprint). I was a bit surprised at the lack of a pass rush by Pitt, but then again the gameplan was perfect with mostly 3- and 5- step drops (I think the only downfield throws were off play action, which for some reason we kept biting on despite the seeming 3:1 pass:run ratio!) But I was most surprised by your defense's ability to stop the run early, which really helped set the stage for the blowout.

I think we were somewhat flat and obviously not very sharp, but you have to credit the Pats for helping to create that. The opening drives in each half were tone-setters and helped the Pats really dictate the style of the game (although I do think we did the Pats a bit of a favor by abandoning the run and Mendy in particular--I don't know that the outcome would have been much different, but I think even at 17-3 early in the 2nd half you have to stay balanced). I also think the Pats' ability to stop the run (who'd a thunk it, after the Browns/Hillis game?!) dictated long down-and-distance situations all night.

Brady was tremendous obviously, but that's pretty much what we expect out of him when he plays us. His style and the Patriots' approach on O is pretty much our kryptonite. I was disappointed that, when it became obvious that we would have to outscore you rather than be able to stop you, our offense came up very small (throw out the garbage yards/TDs in the 4th--when it mattered we just weren't effective, particularly in the red zone). Obvious issues in pass protection helped with that, but I think your coverage downfield was very good as well.

So again, congratulations...in a year where no truly dominant team seems ready to emerge, why not the Patriots? Of all years, this seems like one where a great QB and coach can separate you from the pack.

On our end, I think we just need to lick our wounds, get healthy, and hopefully come out refocused after this game the way you guys did after the Brownies game. I won't give up on the season after one (admittedly lousy) game though, particularly when it's the Pats, a team we just don't match up very well against and has had our number over the years...

lillloyd