Steelers or Kansas city who would you rather face?

[PF_SU]

Do we think this pedestrian Chiefs offense will score more than 21 meaningful points in Foxboro vs the #1 scoring D in the NFL?

Alex Smith is good though at the one thing the Patriots D has struggled to consistently contain this season. And that's the short passing game. On average the Steelers are probably the better team, but I see more upset potential with the Chiefs.

 

[PatsFan2]

The winner of that game is going to be beat up regardless great time to be a #1 Seed. KC's Offense is not explosive and they cannot come back from behind I would rather them in the Match-up.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Alex Smith is good though at the one thing the Patriots D has struggled to consistently contain this season. And that's the short passing game. On average the Steelers are probably the better team, but I see more upset potential with the Chiefs.

Struggled? I don't think that is accurate. Because they tackle so well, this defense is excellent at containment of short passes.

 

[jri37]

Alex Smith is good though at the one thing the Patriots D has struggled to consistently contain this season. And that's the short passing game. On average the Steelers are probably the better team, but I see more upset potential with the Chiefs.

I think you hit on something. I would rather play the QB that is no threat to leave the pocket. The Pats in the past have had some issues containing a mobile QB, especially on 3rd downs. The way the Pats pass rush has improved this year I like the matchup with the QB who you know where he is going to be. My .02 cents.

 

[PF_SU]

Struggled? I don't think that is accurate. Because they tackle so well, this defense is excellent at containment of short passes.

They tackle well, but they don't prevent completions as well. If you want to beat this Patriots team you have to be able to string together 10+ play scoring drives. Of course, it's partly due to the focus of preventing the big plays. But if there is a weakness to this D it's defending a no-huddle short passing game.

 

[FourierSeries]

Steelers, and it's not even close. I think we can beat both, but KC would give us a closer game. Pittsburgh's offense has been mediocre on the road this season.

 

[SalemPats]

I love both matchups. Big Ben does not look right and the defense is ok. I would rather face the Steelers

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

Steelers, Butler owns AB, our run D is legit, and Big Ben is Tom's fan boy.

 

[borisman]

I'll take KC. They've been outstatted most of the last half of the season. They've lived off turnovers and spectacular plays by Tyreek Hill. Pitt has more/better weapons and have improved on defense, though I think their defenses are about the same but different.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They tackle well, but they don't prevent completions as well. If you want to beat this Patriots team you have to be able to string together 10+ play scoring drives. Of course, it's partly due to the focus of preventing the big plays.

That is the fundamental philosophy of this defense and has been that way for 17 years. This defense challenges the other QB to be patient, not screw up and make plays to win the game.

80% of the time, they don't.

But if there is a weakness to this D it's defending a no-huddle short passing game.

So what do you want? Have tighter man to man inside 15 yards and be more susceptible to the 30 yard pass play?

You can't take away everything every time. You take away the strength and minimize risk. If you want to find a fault its LBs like Shea, Van Noy, High and Nink in coverage however all four of those players help with the pass rush and run D which is why they allow 3.9ypc.

 

[Nunchucks]

I think that the Patriots can minimize mistakes and play patient with the Chiefs and win the game. The Steelers in all likelihood will turn into a shootout. I like the Patriots chances in a shootout, but that type of game is always more difficult to win because the likelihood of mistakes will increase and mistakes can cost a team the game.

 

[mosslost]

I hate to look past the divisional round, but for the patriots to lose to any of the texans, dolphins, oakland in foxboro would be a choke job.

most likely the divisional round will be steelers at KC with one coming to foxboro for the afccg. which has a better matchup and why?

Both teams IMO have their strengths and weaknesses. KC has a strong defense and special teams. however their offense leaves something to be desired and I think if you try and make alex smith beat you or get up a couple scores on them this would be just like last year in the divisional round. KC's defense is also different on the road that in that stadium IMO which negates alot of their advantage. and as good as kelce is, chung has been pretty adept at shutting down TE's this year

the steelers on the other hand have a defense that brady should shred if he faced. however they have a superbowl winning QB, a great RB and a scary WR corp. we saw against the ravens how the steelers were able to come back just due to their offense.

so, I am thinking I would rather face KC. both would be tough, but steelers have a chance to upset us imo

I "feel" like KC would have no chance, but Pittsburgh would have at least a chance. That is why I say KC.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I think that the Patriots can minimize mistakes and play patient with the Chiefs and win the game. The Steelers in all likelihood will turn into a shootout. I like the Patriots chances in a shootout, but that type of game is always more difficult to win because the likelihood of mistakes will increase and mistakes can cost a team the game.

Yes, I agree that mistakes can cost a team the game; that's precisely why I'd prefer the Steelers, who would be most likely to choke. I don't see them winning a shootout against Brady.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't care. We matchup well with, and have owned Pittsburgh. But they are an 11-5 team with talent and an 11-5 team with talent can beat anyone on a given day.
KC does not impress me at all. But they are a 12-4 team with talent and a 12-4 team with talent can beat anyone on a given day.
Both would struggle mightily to stop our offense, so they would have to win with special teams plays and/or turnovers. In that regard, KC even with a much inferior offense actually would have a better (yet still slim) chance to score enough points to beat us.

 

[qbno12]

Steelers because we already played them once and have had success beating them in the past. We don't play KC often and they look like a more balanced and well rounded team this year. To me, they might be the best team other than the Patriots in this year's playoffs. They are peaking at the right time and they've been lucky to win many close games (like Denver did last year).They can create lot of problems offensively and defensively. I don't care that we host the AFCCG but chiefs will be very tough to beat. They are playing well on the road also.

 

[Ring 6]

They tackle well, but they don't prevent completions as well. If you want to beat this Patriots team you have to be able to string together 10+ play scoring drives. Of course, it's partly due to the focus of preventing the big plays. But if there is a weakness to this D it's defending a no-huddle short passing game.

Patriots were 11th best in opponent completion % and 12th best in yards per completion. That says they are in the top 3rd in stopping completions while being in the top 3rd in forcing short throws. Your opinion seems wrong.

 

[Ring 6]

If it weren't for the shellacking in KC in 2014 no one would even think about KC as a threat, IMO.

 

[PF_SU]

That is the fundamental philosophy of this defense and has been that way for 17 years. This defense challenges the other QB to be patient, not screw up and make plays to win the game.

while being in the top 3rd in forcing short throws

I'm not saying this is a problem. I'm well aware that the Patriots MO is to take away everything deep and force the QB to be patient and be able to execute methodical drives using the short passing game. For the most part it works well because there aren't many QBs out there that have this patience. But Alex Smith is one of them. His propensity to avoid anything deep actually helps him against the Patriots.

If they face the Chiefs it will be very important to avoid ST mistakes and jump out to a quick lead to force the Chiefs to play catch-up - like last year.

The Steelers have a more explosive offense, but Roethlisberger is more prone to turning the ball over, especially on the road. On the road Roethlisberger this year has completed 59% of his passes, getting 1904 yards, scoring 9 TDs to 8 INTs. Smith on the road has completed 65% of his passes for 1756 yards with 7 TDs and 3 INTs.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm not saying this is a problem. I'm well aware that the Patriots MO is to take away everything deep and force the QB to be patient and be able to execute methodical drives using the short passing game. For the most part it works well because there aren't many QBs out there that have this patience. But Alex Smith is one of them. His propensity to avoid anything deep actually helps him against the Patriots.

If they face the Chiefs it will be very important to avoid ST mistakes and jump out to a quick lead to force the Chiefs to play catch-up - like last year.

The Steelers have a more explosive offense, but Roethlisberger is more prone to turning the ball over, especially on the road. On the road Roethlisberger this year has completed 59% of his passes, getting 1904 yards, scoring 9 TDs to 8 INTs. Smith on the road has completed 65% of his passes for 1756 yards with 7 TDs and 3 INTs.

But you are missing the point. You are saying allowing completions is a weakness, and its not. They allow a relatively low comp % while at the same time allowing shorter completions.
There are only 2 teams in the NFL that allow lower comp % AND lower ypc, meaning the ranking of 11th is only not lower BECAUSE they are taking away the deep ball and QBs are forced to check down a lot more.

I'm not sure how you come up with the idea that a guy who can only throw short will be a bigger threat than a guy who can stress the whole field, but I would disagree.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm not saying this is a problem. I'm well aware that the Patriots MO is to take away everything deep and force the QB to be patient and be able to execute methodical drives using the short passing game. For the most part it works well because there aren't many QBs out there that have this patience. But Alex Smith is one of them. His propensity to avoid anything deep actually helps him against the Patriots.

What you say is accurate but its not a weakness per se as its more

If they face the Chiefs it will be very important to avoid ST mistakes and jump out to a quick lead to force the Chiefs to play catch-up - like last year.

The Steelers have a more explosive offense, but Roethlisberger is more prone to turning the ball over, especially on the road. On the road Roethlisberger this year has completed 59% of his passes, getting 1904 yards, scoring 9 TDs to 8 INTs. Smith on the road has completed 65% of his passes for 1756 yards with 7 TDs and 3 INTs.

Sorry but I think BB and Patricia would rather face Smith than Roethlisberger in the playoffs.