The Official Patriots vs. Steelers : GAME DAY THREAD 2015 Week 1 (9/10)

The good: Gronk is clearly the single most valuable non-QB in the NFL. I think Hightower might be putting himself in the best-ILB-in-the-league conversation. When he gets his hands on someone in the open field, I am 100% confident that the guy is not only going down, but he's not falling forward. Edelman looks even better than last year. Dion Lewis is looks legit. I doubt his body can hold up to being the lead back for 16 games, but it won't have to. He and Blount are going to make for a hell of a combo. The interior of the line has held up better than I could have reasonably hoped it would.

The bad: Easley's injury sucks hard. Just saw some people saying he's back in, would be awesome if that's true. I take back every positive thing I said about Bradley Fletcher, he sucks. We're still struggling to cover TEs. Malcom Brown looked bad on the first drive, but has been pretty decent since. Need to set the edge better, although DeAngelo Williams does deserve some credit there. The other guys get paid too.

skspikex2 said:

Defense need to shape up.

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They've allowed 3 points. Improvement can be made but they are always shaky at the beginning of the year

skspikex2 said:

Defense need to shape up.

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Well they are losing in open field, but holding the red zone, so not to bad

Another observation. So much for BB playing LCB/RCB. Butler is trailing Brown like Revis/Talib.

Lose the spectacles, Patrick. You look like a tool

I haven't been in the game thread, but some random thoughts about the first half:

• I hope Easley isn't the next Dowling.
• Missing a long FG isn't just 3 points; there's also some field position.
• Between the FGs and the botched TD catch, the Steelers could easily have 13 points, and the Patriots might have fewer.
• Gostkowsi's second extra point jerked oddly to the right. Some kind of wind?
• Michaels misdescribed the botched TD, in terms of which was the offending foot. The problem is that the left foot was barely out of bounds, along with the right foot that was well out.
• Even successful plays can be somewhat inaccurate throws. I'm thinking of Brady's throw behind Edelman for the first down, Brady's rainbow to Amendola that could have gone longer if it was perfectly in stride, and one of Roethlisberger's rainbows down the right sideline similarly.
• Rough start for Solder.
• I love Gronk's celebrations -- not just the spikes, but the group hugs with 3+ broad-shouldered guys in his very widely outstretched arms.
• Both teams had some scripted plays that worked well early. So be it.
• Other than the inside LB sack, I'm not seeing much pressure on Roethlisberger.
• Happily, I'm not seeing that much pressure on Brady either.
• Collinsworth thinks it's obvious that Jones is one the Patriots' best players. Reminds me of a thread we had a few days ago.

Bb and Matt are really high on butler so far. The only thing you can ask a cb is have great coverage and competitive with the ball, and butler has been so far.

DHB miss on the chalk...how much time did ben have with a makeshift oline?

Man unbelievable how far Hightower has come from that poor 2013 season.

pherein said:

Well they are losing in open field, but holding the red zone, so not to bad

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The Steelers should have scored that TD. Can't believe they missed that. He was wide open, my heart skipped a beat how it happened. Bullet dodged.

good first half, defense looks decent, always adjustments to make.

Pretty good first half...

Christ can the NFL get off Odell's **** already? They didn't even win the game.

robertweathers said:

They've allowed 3 points. Improvement can be made but they are always shaky at the beginning of the year

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Well, they've allowed 15 ... Pitt only accepted 3 ...

skspikex2 said:

Defense need to shape up.

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They allowed 3 points in a half.

kudzif said:

the sooner he is gone the better.

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Are you going to step in? what's your three cone?

Kdo5 said:

The Steelers should have scored that TD. Can't believe they missed that. There was no defender near that guy. Bullet dodged.

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Patriots should have 21. steelers dodged a bullet with the overthrow to Amendola.

Thank the lord for the Sports Hub because I can't listen to these fools.

skspikex2 said:

Defense need to shape up.

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Well, let's be fair........ Pittsburgh does have a pretty solid offense (even with injuries/suspensions). Big Ben is a top 5-6 QB and AB is one of the best WR in the league. At the half, they only have 3 points. I'll take it.

Welcome {back} to the bend don't break defense of days gone by.

both teams are going to blitz a lot more this half i think

Kdo5 said:

The Steelers should have scored that TD. Can't believe they missed that. He was wide open, my heart skipped a beat how it happened. Bullet dodged.

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yeah say 11 open also, middle seam easy throw, think Brees would have had that.