We all know Pitt has a superior defense to the Pats, if you deny that then you are blind.
Defensive Rankings:
Yards Allowed:
Pittsburgh 235.6 (1st)
New England 257.0 (2nd)
Passing Yards Allowed:
Pittsburgh 163.0 (2nd)
New England 178.7 (4th)
Rushing Yards Allowed:
Pittsburgh 72.6 (4th)
New England 78.3 (5th)
Points Allowed:
Pittsburgh 9.4 (1st)
New England 15.3 (9th)
-I guess I'm blind then, because the difference is nominal. You're obviously a Steelers homer, so I can see how you'd overrate your own team.
Offensivley, well the Pats are more dangerous through the air while Pittsburgh is one of the best running, smashmouth teams in the NFL.
Offensive Rankings:
Total Yards:
New England 431.2 (1st)
Pittsburgh 351.8 (10th)
Passing Yards:
New England 289.5 (1st)
Pittsburgh 184.8 (27th)
Rushing Yards:
Pittsburgh 167.0 (2nd)
New England 141.7 (7th)
Scoring:
New England 38.3 (1st)
Pittsburgh 26.4 (9th)
It would appear that the Patriots more than hold their own running the ball, and dominate through the air. Looks like your hypothesis is a little off. Pittsburgh outrushes NE by an average of 26 ypg, and New England outpasses Pittsburgh by about 105 ypg. That's a huge advantage to New England.
In years past, the Pats have "had the steelers number" so to speak, but now we are dealing with two different teams.
Patriots are 5-1 against Pittsburgh since the 2002 AFC Championship Game.
And it would appear that, yes, the personnel is a little different, but essentially, the teams' philosophy and execution are almost identical.
The type of team that the Pats have now is a team that the Steelers matchup well with.
Moss and Welker are 2 of the top 10 WR in the league.
Moss and Stallworth arent known for being very physical, but you cannot afford to try and press them in single coverage, while welker is tough and isn't afraid to go over the middle, but he isn't the breakaway threat that Moss and Stallworth are.
1st, do you feel comfortable with Moss on Ike Taylor, Stallworth on DeShea Townsend, and Welker on Polamalu/Clark/Coclough/Whoever?
2nd: Welker is 24th in the league in receiving, well clear of anyone on the Steelers. Not to mention he's coming off a career-best game last week.
It would appear your pre-concieved notions are incorrect again.
There is no way the pats run on us, but that didn't seem to bother them against the boys, however the cowboys havent been known for defense this season.
The Patriots, as the statistics show, can win on the ground, or in the air, and will gameplan to whichever gains them the advantage. Were I McDaniels, I would go 3-wide the entire game, and run fade patterns to Moss all day. Ike Taylor is quite possibly the most overrated corner in the league not named Fred Smoot. The Cowboys are not the Steelers, the comparisons are irrelevant.
Pretty much the key to beating the Pats(which is easier said than done) is to get pressure with your line and force him to try and make plays on the run, which is his achilles heel, and run the ball.
New England's line has given up a whopping 6 sacks this season. Dallas tried to blitz about 65% of the time last week, and were absolutely annihilated. Blitzing the Patriots is akin to handing them touchdowns. The ONLY chance teams have are to drop 7/8 and hope they get lucky with a bad throw or two. Blitzing is suicide. Tomlin will not make the same mistake you would, were you the coach.
Fast willie is just to fast for the Pats over the hill linebacking core.
LaDanian Tomlinson wasn't. Neither were Jones/Barber. Neither was Marshawn Lynch. Again, the Patriots are 5th in the league against the run, allowing a whopping 5.5 ypg on the ground more than the Steelers.
Steeler Steve, it was a nice effort, but unfortunately, if you don't know the facts going into an arguement, it's probably best not to post, and be embarassed like you just were. Were I a Steelers fan, I would concentrate on winning the AFC North, and worry about the Patriots when the Steelers come to Foxboro.