We're on to Pittsburgh

Soul_Survivor88 said:

I know past isn't always prologue, but this is really lopsided

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No gronkowski this time. That guy just seems to live to score touchdowns against the steelers.

deroc5050 said:

I am not taking anything away from Rodgers, as far as skill sets he has some that no other QB's have. But he has weapons and a great O line.

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I dont think we need to make excuses for rodgers to make brady look great. Brady is great on his own. The throws Rodgers makes on the run outside the pocket is uncanny and amazing. If he always had great protection he wouldn't need to keep rolling in and out. And just like brady helps his oline i bet he helps his too.

deroc5050 said:

I think this game is coming down to the wire. I just have that feeling. Should be a great game. The Pats need to stop Bell.

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The Patriots were actually outgained by Landry Jones and the Steelers last time, so I would expect things to remain pretty close.

supafly said:

The Patriots were actually outgained by Landry Jones and the Steelers last time, so I would expect things to remain pretty close.

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This game won't be close. In the range of 35-17 Pats. I didn't think the Texans game was going to be a blowout and it was a 8 point game in the 4th.

People were underselling the Texans D, and overselling Ben and the Steelers. They were the seed they were for a reason. It's at home. If this is a last possession type game, the Pats f-ed up royally on the level of the Texans game. A trip to the SB is on the line. This team won't let that slip.

Mack Herron said:

"We won because we were super pumped and jacked after reading the mean things they said!" said nobody ever. There's material but the Pats don't need it.

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supafly said:

Agreed. There's a trip to the SB on the line. I'm guessing that Belichick couldn't care less about who called them mean names.

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Disagree, I think that stuff still matters. For guys like Rodney Harrison it's like oxygen.

Last week, mediots and everyone who believes them overstated how easy it would be for the Pats to steamroll the Texans en route to a Super Bowl berth.

Now, the Steelers are getting a little too much love when you consider Rapeburger's struggles this season, especially on the road (including last night), and how shallow their talent is on offense. I'm not saying it'll be a cakewalk, and I expect them to make things a little more uncomfortable for the D than we've seen this year, but I'm still sticking with my first thought; Pats 41-24. But I may revise that down to 23, because I'm not convinced they'll get three TDs against us if they couldn't get it done even once against KC.

My early thoughts:

The steelers are the toughest opponent we'd face in the afc. Been looking this way for a month or so in the midst of their current winning streak. That said, still a good matchup for us IMO. We should be able to limit Bell as our run D typically holds its own and he's probably going to be BB's focus on D. And we have Malcolm Butler which is another crucial key to playing this team and Antonio Brown. AB is gonna get his but he shouldn't be breaking the game open hopefully. Ben also isn't very good on the road this year. Offensively, Brady vs the Steelers, nuff said. Probably my biggest concern is Bell, he just THAT damn good you never know if he can be handled. BUt I think we'll do fine.

In the first matchup, hard to really evaluate the D because we faced Landry Jones. We got up early and it seemed we played a softer D, they had alot of drives but not alot of points. Offensively, we didn't blow anything away, but there were 2 drive killing drops by Bolden and Welker. Also Hogan fumbled a play after it had gone for a first down, so that's 3 drives where Brady essentially had no chance. We dont have Gronk now but we do have Lewis and hopefully Mitchell (not sure we can really count on Floyd for anything) so if those 2 are playing that could offset the loss of Gronk. Lewis had a great game vs Pittsburgh in last year's opener aside from the fumble.

Biggest advantages we have IMO is coaching and special teams. If we exploit that, and keep the turnovers even at worst, I really like our chances here. Defense is another possible big advantage, but that's hard for me to evaulate becaues Pitt has aslo played great defense during their win streak against lesser offenses (much like our situation). Odds are we will not come out sloppy like against the Texans, Pitt is going to have to play a really good game to have a shot at knocking us off IMO.

SVN said:

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Look at the tape you dope. Your tackle didn't hold he tackled the guy.

We just need the crowd in the ****ing game! screeming their tounsils out! I know I will be!

dannydyn said:

We just need the crowd in the ****ing game! screeming their tounsils out! I know I will be!

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i promise i'll be loud.... louder than you. that's a challenge.

ViperGTS said:

This game won't be close. In the range of 35-17 Pats. I didn't think the Texans game was going to be a blowout and it was a 8 point game in the 4th.

People were underselling the Texans D, and overselling Ben and the Steelers. They were the seed they were for a reason. It's at home. If this is a last possession type game, the Pats f-ed up royally on the level of the Texans game. A trip to the SB is on the line. This team won't let that slip.

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It's also hard to imagine them having back to back off-games... in the playoffs... both at home.

If they do, I'll be very surprised & disappointed.

Hopefully the secondary can steal a couple. That'd go a long way in booking our flights to H-Town.

We all know how The GOAT prepares and plays following a bad week...BB is giving this team a major, major arse kicking this week. The monster has been awoken....

sb1 said:

I think the 2004 regular season game in Pitt tilted those road stats a bit. He had a pick 6 taken from him and I'm sure he had at least one other INT

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Couple things:

• I am curious how BB will contain L. Bell, I think it will be critical to have a scheme to bring those boys up in a hurry once L.Bell crosses that line.
• I want Bennett to have a better game and get into this game, both performance wise and verbally. You don't get the time back. Don't have to freak out if its not your style, but bring it a little....k?
• Brady man, he is so GD hard on himself, walking around the locker-room all down. Gronks presence in the locker-room also has that value, bringing up TB12. Someone needs to grab the GOAT, say "we're good man we won, we'll get to work this week and be lights out..."...just someone to loosen him up (I think i know what y'all are thinking...just stop...). Pull him back in with the guys...

Duhh...they'll need their best effort....

Soul_Survivor88 said:

This is impressive stuff... but if you remember last season, we were all bragging how Brady owned Wade Phillips-coached defenses throughout his career, until that all changed in the Denver game in December (and later the AFC championship game)

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Pass rush is the great equalizer, We've seen Brady struggle against Pitt when they got after him (hasn't happened much)

Halifax_Pats_Fan said:

Couple things:

• I am curious how BB will contain L. Bell, I think it will be critical to have a scheme to bring those boys up in a hurry once L.Bell crosses that line.

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I'm no defensive coordinator. That said, Bell's patience reached a ridiculous level vs. KC. He practically stopped but is really quick hitting the hole once he sees it. Gap integrity will be critical, of course, the good news being that Belichick stresses gap integrity (as opposed to shooting gaps) more than any other coach. I would "spy" the gaps with Hightower or Roberts. Let the DL do it's thing and have the spy sit in the middle looking for a hole and cheat to it the moment he sees it; more often than not it will be the gap Bell sees. I don't have stats but KC did better vs. the run later in the game. Bottom line, though, as opposed to taking what is there, he waits forever for something to open up. Our defense should be well suited to play tough. I would consider a 4 man line with a rotation of Branch, Brown, Valentine, Sheard, Flowers, all very strong against the run and sometimes play one of the DT at DE to control the OL.

Halifax_Pats_Fan said:

Couple things:

• I am curious how BB will contain L. Bell, I think it will be critical to have a scheme to bring those boys up in a hurry once L.Bell crosses that line.
• I want Bennett to have a better game and get into this game, both performance wise and verbally. You don't get the time back. Don't have to freak out if its not your style, but bring it a little....k?
• Brady man, he is so GD hard on himself, walking around the locker-room all down. Gronks presence in the locker-room also has that value, bringing up TB12. Someone needs to grab the GOAT, say "we're good man we won, we'll get to work this week and be lights out..."...just someone to loosen him up (I think i know what y'all are thinking...just stop...). Pull him back in with the guys...

Duhh...they'll need their best effort....

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I forget what Collingsworth brought up last night about the adjustment KC made and called it a Chicago front. 4 down lineman in the gaps and a free LB to spy the RB and flow to the ball. It seemed to work much better and I imagine you may see that a bit from NE.

I think Butler on Brown with some help deep, and they try to limit Bell to under 100 yards. Roethlisberger will have to try to beat them going to other receivers. Our defense is good. They just have to play their usual game. People are focusing on Pittsburgh's winning streak, but they don't mention the Pats have won 8 in a row.

ViperGTS said:

I forget what Collingsworth brought up last night about the adjustment KC made and called it a Chicago front. 4 down lineman in the gaps and a free LB to spy the RB and flow to the ball. It seemed to work much better and I imagine you may see that a bit from NE.

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Also, if they have a key on what side of the line he's going to, a blitz from the other side could be interesting, he is behind the line for SO long.