We are on to Pittsburgh and the Raising of SB 53 Banner

[Uptown]

 

[Hyped]

Miami is trying to lose the season. The running gag in Miami doesn't apply.

If we drop week 2 @ Miami....the curse is VERY REAL and I'll never doubt it ever again!

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

If we drop week 2 @ Miami....the curse is VERY REAL and I'll never doubt it ever again!

They could play with 8 players total and I will still always count that as a L in Miami...that place...a black hole

 

[Vatahala]

6 PFT writers have made their team predictions for 2019.
4 have KC winning SB while 2 have the Pats.
Florio has Pats winning over the Jags in AFC Championship game.
Only 3 of 6 have the Steelers winning their division.
5 of 6 voters have the Browns making the playoffs.

 

[libra957]

Let's be honest, we should beat everyone on our schedule.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Let's be honest, we should beat everyone on our schedule.

But let's also be honest that we could absolutely lose a game to anyone.

 

[1960Pats]

Real football this sunday night has me feeling like a kid on christmas eve, does anybody else feel like this off season flew by?

The site helps. It's a fun place to spend the off-season.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't like that OL is in flux and WR corps is new except The Squirrel. {EDIT: Dorsett said Hello!} Look to lots of use of RBs with many 2 RB sets.
More confident in our D. Though new, it seems uncharacteristically cohesive for this early season.
Low scoring game, won by the D. Pats 20-13

DISCLAIMER: Every single pre-season, my image and expectation of the team's various units is trashed by the regular season

 

[SBLIII]

TJ Watt is a concern as is their whole DL in general. Their OL is terrific and they got some weapons and a good QB. However our pass defense should be good and we should be able to exploit their weakness in the secondary. I don't think the Patriots will set the world on fire on offense but a few big plays will make the difference.

NE 24
PIT 17

 

[SBLIII]

If we drop week 2 @ Miami....the curse is VERY REAL and I'll never doubt it ever again!

it's the toughest game of the year. I don't care how bad their team is, they always play much better there against us than against others. And we usually make at least 5 really dumb mistakes each game in Miami.

 

[ViperGTS]

Just caught Alex Barth just slobbering over the Steelers and how they have no real weaknesses.

Ummm..Big Ben on the road for one Alex? Unreal.

 

[Vatahala]

Brady and the Patriots will have a inexperienced safety starting against them on Sunday night.
Kameron Kelly six months ago was a CB for the San Diego Fleet of the AAF.
Starter FS Sean Davis is expected to miss the game with an ankle injury.

 

[Bruins29]

I WR corps is new except The Squirrel.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Kontradiction]

True. They’ve played a lot more man since the 2016 AFCCG. But last season’s loss, IMO, was just as much about Brady’s injury (that we now know of) as it was about Pittsburgh. Brady looked like ass in that game and we now know that he was dealing with a knee issue from the Tits game that he wouldn’t get over until the end of the season. I think they’re capable of beating the Steelers handily in Foxboro. Gilmore should lock Smith-Schuster. The biggest problem they will have with the Steelers will be Conner.

 

[Brick27]

Was taking a peak at the Steelers’ CBs.

Haden - 5’11” 195
Nelson - 5’11” 194
Hilton - 5’9” 184

With Gordon and Thomas, both around 6’3” 225, interested to see how it plays out on offense with more man coverage involved. Need time to throw of course, but if Brady has to get it out hot there’s at least potential for some favorable matchups if forcing contested catches.

 

[patchick]

Just caught Alex Barth just slobbering over the Steelers and how they have no real weaknesses.

Ummm..Big Ben on the road for one Alex? Unreal.

I'd love to come back to this point, because earlier in the thread it was described as a recent trend--that in the past few years Ben's home/road splits have become ugly. FWIW it's actually the reverse, time-wise: he used to struggle on the road, but for the past two seasons he's done very well away from home.

 

[Uptown]

 

[venecol]

I think on defense it's going to come down to how well we stop Conner. We're lacking in some beef on the DL compared to last year, but have improved at LB. If that's enough to contain the Steelers running game, I feel like we have more than enough in the secondary to cover the Steelers weapons.

On offense, it's going to be a struggle, because we're essentially still figuring out what the identity of this group is. Overall this year, so long as Wynn and the whoever wins the center job are solid, I trust Brady to make the most of his weapons behind a good OL. But week 1... well, week 1 is always unpredictable.

I agree. Nvm about the lack of practice/timing between TB and DT and JG. JE and PD have Brady's trust.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'd love to come back to this point, because earlier in the thread it was described as a recent trend--that in the past few years Ben's home/road splits have become ugly. FWIW it's actually the reverse, time-wise: he used to struggle on the road, but for the past two seasons he's done very well away from home.

2016 was the year the split was major, I live in the Pitt area and remember the radio guys making a big deal about it. You are right though about the last 2 seasons he seemed to be more consistent those years.