Three unconventional predictions for the game

[Sicilian]

It's gameday, and in an attempt to get some of my excitement out, I thought it would be fun to make three predictions for the game that maybe go against the traditional logic. These aren't "bold" predictions like Tom Brady will throw for 1000 yards or anything crazy. Just things that happen in every football game, but always surprise us nonetheless:

1) Tom Brady is going to run for a TD tonight. He's going to be fired up, ready to shoot out of the gate like Secretariat. Unfortunately, the cast around him has some question marks, and with emotions (and tensions) high amongst the younger players on the O-line, he may not have the support he needs to go ballistic on the Steelers. As such, there's going to be a breakdown near the goal line, and he's going to punch it in himself, followed by a spike so massive it would frighten Gronk. And speaking of Rob...

2) Scott Chandler is going to have more catches and TD's than Gronkowski. I have no faith in a team to shut down Gronk consistently, but I think the Steelers are going to go into this game with an all or nothing attitude. They're going to get aggressive against this suspect OL, and double (or triple) cover Brady's safety valves, Gronk and Edelman. They'll still get free now and again, but this will leave few options to cover Chandler, who will eat up whichever sorry depth option is asked to cover him 1 on 1.

3) McCourty will play 10+ snaps at "corner". This is not to say he's now a cornerback, just that if the Steelers decide to spread us out and test this unproven secondary (which they should), I believe BB has more faith in Harmon or Richards playing safety than he does Logan Ryan playing corner. So in the nickel McCourty will stay at FS with Butler/Brown/Fletcher as the CBs. But if they have to go dime, McCourty will move up to cover a matchup-appropriate option, and a combo of Richards/Harmon/Chung/Wilson will play over the top.

Feel free to comment or chime in with your own predictions. Football is HERE ladies and gentlemen!

 

[BobDigital]

#1 The Pass protection will be good - A lot of young players here but honestly i think with Brady and this coaching staff it will be okay. The run blocking i think will continue to be bad for now but the pass blocking will do well.

#2 Dion Lewis will have the most total yards in this game - He is going to be used as a safety valve and probably the lead back. I can see him getting 110 yards total being the lead back for 60 and catching 50 more. It will be another case of "were do the Patriots find these guys!"

#3 Brady runs for 20+ yards - I think Brady takes off 4-5 times this game not trusting his OL and not being respected with a wide open field in front of him. Probably rips one off for 10 and gets the rest as the game goes on.

 

[everlong]

1. Collinsworth and Michaels keep their consecutive game streak alive by referencing the Patriots losing to the Giants and the Tyree catch in a complete non sequitur.

2. Goodell eats feces chant by the crowd.

3. The Steelers claim their headsets went out mysteriously during a drive costing them a game they were blown out in.

 

[Froob]

More of this

 

[Ross12]

I like some of these predictions, especially the one about Chandler getting left alone. Imagine being some crap LB who barely made the roster, and only making it because this D is so bad, getting matched up one-on-one against him? Yikes!

I said it in another thread, but I think Cadet will be a very useful tool by virtue of the fact that he didn't play any snaps in preseason and is very versatile. Bringing him in and shifting him around from RB, to the slot, to the outside, could confuse the opponent. I did see he is questionable though, so it may not be til another game. But I think he will soon have a "coming out party" in a sense.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I said it in another thread, but I think Cadet will be a very useful tool by virtue of the fact that he didn't play any snaps in preseason and is very versatile. Bringing him in and shifting him around from RB, to the slot, to the outside, could confuse the opponent. I did see he is questionable though, so it may not be til another game. But I think he will soon have a "coming out party" in a sense.

I hope that Josh has plans to get Cadet in space tonight.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Thanks for the set up

 

[Froob]

Sources said Wickedpissah and Ross are the same person.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yes, my gender reassignment was a failure

 

[Sicilian]

I hope that Josh has plans to get Cadet in space tonight.

Matt Patricia went to school for that, he should be able to help

More of this

I forgot about this, and at first glance I was thinking, "Why were the patriots playing Boston College?"

 

[lillloyd]

Tom Brady shares his game co-MVP honors with a mysterious woman named "Mary Jane", who is credited with a superlative defensive effort on both Le'Veon Bell AND Martavis Bryant...

 

[FCB02062]

Prediction is the offense sucks for first few possessions

 

[Ross12]

PWP was uncannily ready to make a joke about my post, it was almost as if he had stolen my playbook...

 

[borg]

1st NE offensive play: 2 TE set / Brady play action fake to Bolden / pump fake to Gronk on a curl / seam pass completion to Chandler...gain of 27.

 

[tasmlab]

1st NE offensive play: 2 TE set / Brady play action fake to Bolden / pump fake to Gronk on a curl / seam pass completion to Chandler...gain of 27.

That would be/will be great, but IIRC from past games, the first play will be Bolden up the center for a gain of one.

 

[Joey007]

My prediction: Dom Easley's coming out party. Has multiple sacks tonight against a Steelers interior missing Pouncey.

 

[BobDigital]

1st NE offensive play: 2 TE set / Brady play action fake to Bolden / pump fake to Gronk on a curl / seam pass completion to Chandler...gain of 27.

I will remember you said this. If it happens you win all my internets for the day.

 

[fxkane]

Chandler in the red zone. Brady running--yes indeed. And maybe a sterling kicking game.

And if our corners can come through, we're in great shape.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Red Hoodie

Brady getting in someones grill verbally shredding them at least once

Jon Bon Jovi and Jeffery Kessler in Kraft's box

 

[RobertWeathers]

My prediction: Dom Easley's coming out party. Has multiple sacks tonight against a Steelers interior missing Pouncey.

I really think that is a given. Cody Wallace seems serviceable but nowhere near athletic enough to handle Easy E or Seal.

Seal is a monster. I think he is in for a big year.