Congrats on the win...

[lillloyd]

Seems like a visit from Pittsburgh was all that was needed for what ails you

My thoughts:

• The game started completely the opposite of what I expected; I thought both NE and Pitt would feast on vulnerable run defenses. But in the early going both run defenses held up unexpectedly well. I would have bet a lot of money before the game that there would be considerably less than 1000 yards of offense and 86 points scored!
• It felt like the Ridley and even Blount really started gashing Pittsburgh (ironically) after Pitt pulled even at 24-24. That was what I expected to see the entire game, and I think this was an important (if overlooked, given Brady's explosion) development in the game.
• Brady was pinpoint, vintage Brady. He made great throws even when under pressure. Sadly (!) playing Pittsburgh always seems to bring out the best in him.
• Roethlisberger, on the other hand, started very shaky before settling down. The first INT was dreadful. Of course, he was terrific at times and made characteristic Roethlisberger plays...but I worry that the constant beating (not just this year, but really since 2008 when the line really started to become awful) is giving him the yips. I have seen him bail out of throws a couple of times this year, which is unlike him.
• Gronk looks about as good physically as he has in years. Very glad to see that he was not injured on the play with Clark (the announcers initially said it was a "knee" but it looked like it was just a thigh bruise).
• The game itself was more or less a microcosm of the Steelers season to date: Blown assignments in the secondary letting Amendola run free (twice!). Blown assignments on the OL letting rushers in free. Early turnovers. In-game injuries to the OL. A major talent deficiency at LT having a major impact. Yet another costly, poor punt at a critical juncture (even if this punter wasn't named Mesko). Debatable coaching (not sure why LeBeau played so soft, particularly in the first half, when he had been so successful in 2011 playing tighter coverage). A defense that continues to give up huge, long plays. We deserved every bit of the drubbing that we received.
• I actually thought we got decent pressure (Heyward, in particular, seemed to be in the backfield a ton), but Woodley didn't really dominate in Vollmer's absence the way we needed him to. Of course, TB was in such a zone, it might not have mattered.
• Another key moment: Ben missing Miller deep over the middle on 3rd down in the 2nd half. A bad overthrow in a game where we couldn't afford it.
• You guys will be incredibly tough to stop if Amendola and Gronk can stay healthy and Dobson can continue to develop. Dobson was uneven but definitely flashes. Gronk is an impossible cover.
• On the flip side, I was surprised we were able to move the ball as much as we did. We have had *serious* problems scoring all season, and played most of the game without 3 starters on the line (a line that is pretty terrible to begin with). I suppose we can chalk some of this up to Talib being out, and Gregory going out later, but honestly when we went down early I thought we might be looking at a 49-3 type score.
• At the end of the day, this game doesn't tell me much about Pittsburgh that I didn't already know. They have talent deficiencies at key spots, have injuries at key spots, and have injuries magnifying these issues. This is obviously not their year.
• We'll have to see if this marks the launchpad for NE towards another Super Bowl win. (They certainly looked the part yesterday!) But the sad reality (for me anyway LOL) is that they'll face much tougher offenses and defenses than Pittsburgh's, a team NE owns even when Pittsburgh is having a very good year. But with apologies to KC (which lacks a franchise QB), I'd put NE and Denver as the clear favorites in the AFC.

Good luck the rest of the way guys. Hopefully we'll give you a better game next time around...

lillloyd

 

[jmt57]

Thanks so much for all your insight and comments this week. It really helps so much to better understand an upcoming opponent, and that in turn makes for a more well informed and intelligent experience when watching the game.

 

[Kontradiction]

You and SteelersCanada can stick around whenever you want. Both very insightful.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Thanks so much for all your insight and comments this week. It really helps so much to better understand an upcoming opponent, and that in turn makes for a more well informed and intelligent experience when watching the game.

This. Well said. Appreciated the participation.

 

[shmessy]

I remember the Pats in the early 1970's, early 1980's and early 1990's.

Good on ya for hanging in there lilloydd.

 

[50-yard-line]

Seems like a visit from Pittsburgh was all that was needed for what ails you

Good luck the rest of the way guys. Hopefully we'll give you a better game next time around...

lillloyd

Well said, but actually, Pittsburgh had won two of the previous 3 meetings (I was at the miserable blowout game in '08). Temp in the 30's, heavy rain...shudder.

 

[fnordcircle]

Roethlisberger had his best game I've seen him play against the Pats - from a pure passer perspective.

Do you think the Steelers keep Sanders? It'll be interesting because if there are two teams I think that are similar in managing a roster it's Pittsburgh and New England.

 

[juny]

nice commentary.

please complete the season sweep of the ratbirds.

 

[upstater1]

Seems like a visit from Pittsburgh was all that was needed for what ails you

[*]Brady was pinpoint, vintage Brady. He made great throws even when under pressure. Sadly (!) playing Pittsburgh always seems to bring out the best in him.

One way to avoid having Brady put up such great games is to ask the Steelers not to antagonize the guy with comments questioning his manhood.

Anyway, Ben R. is in the prime of his career. A disintegrating OL will make any QB look bad. It's astounding to see Pitt fans giving up on the QB and questioning whether to resign him. The guy is young. He's at the stage of his career where he should be improving (or devolving into a shell of himself). Ben is one of the best QBs in the NFL but he had a lot of his game to clean up in his early years. This is the part of his career where you'd expect him to lose the rough edges and dominate.

 

[manxman2601]

To the OP:

It's looking like a top 5 draft pick is looking very possible for you this year (sorry about that). All in on Jake Matthews?

 

[Kontradiction]

To the OP:

It's looking like a top 5 draft pick is looking very possible for you this year (sorry about that). All in on Jake Matthews?

6'5" 305 lbs. Plays in a college offense that attacks down the field and uses some of the same "sandlot" plays the Steelers do. He looks like a protypical Steelers OT, and has experience playing LT and RT (though he's a more natural LT, IMO). I think that would be a quality pick for Pittsburgh. Wheaton gets another year to mature in the system so WR shouldn't be as much of a pressing need in the early going (though they are going to have to look at drafting one again).

 

[manxman2601]

6'5" 305 lbs. Plays in a college offense that attacks down the field and uses some of the same "sandlot" plays the Steelers do. He looks like a protypical Steelers OT, and has experience playing LT and RT (though he's a more natural LT, IMO). I think that would be a quality pick for Pittsburgh. Wheaton gets another year to mature in the system so WR shouldn't be as much of a pressing need in the early going (though they are going to have to look at drafting one again).

But Clowney though. Not a great fit schematically and they'll probably still need to spend some serious picks to trade up, but teams like the Steelers don't draft that high that often so when they do and when there's someone there with that level of talent, I'm sure it's a discussion they'll have.

 

[Kontradiction]

But Clowney though. Not a great fit schematically and they'll probably still need to spend some serious picks to trade up, but teams like the Steelers don't draft that high that often so when they do and when there's someone there with that level of talent, I'm sure it's a discussion they'll have.

I considered that, but I don't think they'll get into Clowney territory. Looking at their schedule, it is feasible that they squeak out another couple of wins. I also don't see a team with a front office like the ones the Steelers have trading up to get to Clowney either.

 

[Froob]

Hope to see you around again. Great insight. Will be rooting you guys on thanksgiving day. Curious to know why LeBeau went zone again. It's never worked versus Brady. The one time he did press he beat us but he decided not to do it again. Seems like we always make Polamalu look like a fool. Kinda sad to see him decline even though I don't like the steelers.

 

[Froob]

But Clowney though. Not a great fit schematically and they'll probably still need to spend some serious picks to trade up, but teams like the Steelers don't draft that high that often so when they do and when there's someone there with that level of talent, I'm sure it's a discussion they'll have.

I feel like Clowney will go to the giants. He'll have one elite season that will save Coughlin's job and giants will win another fluke super bowl.

 

[manxman2601]

I feel like Clowney will go to the giants. He'll have one elite season that will save Coughlin's job and giants will win another fluke super bowl.

It's certainly possible. I have him pencilled into the Bucs who I think might role with with Mike Glennon at QB for another year but I also think their could be an active trade market for teams like the Giants very keen to get Clowney. assuming the Jags get the #1 and get Bridgewater, whomever is picking at #2 could be sitting on a gold mine.

 

[Luxusdk]

It's certainly possible. I have him pencilled into the Bucs who I think might role with with Mike Glennon at QB for another year but I also think their could be an active trade market for teams like the Giants very keen to get Clowney. assuming the Jags get the #1 and get Bridgewater, whomever is picking at #2 could be sitting on a gold mine.

For some reason i could see another team then Jax pick 1. Jags got Texans x2 + Browns left on the Schedule. And when they fight Bucs or Vikings move up in the ranks and getting first pick. Wild guess would be Buc, Vikings and then Jax, Texans, Rams, Browns like 1-6.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

You and SteelersCanada can stick around whenever you want. Both very insightful.

Agreed, these guys make it alot harder to hate the Steelers and their fans.

I still get by though

 

[Kontradiction]

Agreed, these guys make it alot harder to hate the Steelers and their fans.

I still get by though

I thought so too. That was, of course, until I lurked the Steelers message board. Then it all came back to me.

 

[Fixit]

Augh! A cool fan from an opposing team! Kill it with fire!!!