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

Big test right out of the gate for our OL. Their defensive line is full of 1st round picks.

Pat the Pats Fan said:

And two of their qbs have Super Bowl rings.....

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AND, these QBs have more rings combined than "The Forehead" had during all the time he was there.

PatsDeb said:

We're pretty good at the last one, though...

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That's what I meant by "or very, very late." First time we had a problem with that last one... fortunately, every other year we get another shot, on average.

Vatahala said:

Interesting poll at CBS Sports where they asked each team's fans who was the most annoying team.
Both Steelers and Pats identified each other as the most annoying team.
Pats overall dominated the vote with 34.7%, Cowboys 13.3% and Eagles at 9%.

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Anybody else in the AFC who doesn't think the Patriots are annoying is aiming low.

I mean, eight straight AFC championship game appearances. Eight!!

Has anyone heard if Troy will be helping the team during the regular season? I think that would be great if he helped the receiver corps as an assistant. I guess we will find out Sunday.

"...special teams coach Joe Judge is pulling double duty as the team’s wide receivers coach, at least for now. Another former Patriot, Troy Brown, has been working with the receiving corps throughout the offseason and looks like he may be carving out a role for himself on Belichick’s staff.

Phillip Dorsett, entering his third year in the Patriots system, said that the differences between O’Shea and Judge are merely stylistic. Having Brown in the mix has been a joy for Dorsett as well, citing the manner in which Brown flourished in Foxboro from 1993-2007.

"Anytime you’ve got a guy that’s been there and done that at a high level – and done it here – it’s great," Dorsett said. "We know what we get from him, he’s been straight with us, and that’s what we like."

Vatahala said:

Interesting poll at CBS Sports where they asked each team's fans who was the most annoying team.
Both Steelers and Pats identified each other as the most annoying team.
Pats overall dominated the vote with 34.7%, Cowboys 13.3% and Eagles at 9%.

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When you have 20 years practice at being annoying, odds are you are going to get pretty good at it.

The Pats are annoying for winning, the Steelers are annoying because Tomlin and Ben are toolbags.....

FreeTedWilliams said:

Gronk killed the Steelers. It will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes without him out there.

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If this group of wide receivers performs at all like we hope that they might, I think the Gronk-less Pats offense will be fine.

But I do wonder… Pats trailing, fourth-quarter, under five minutes to go, third and 16 from their own 36. Who makes the play?

TommyBrady12 said:

Besides Smith-Shuster, Montreif, and Conner, what weapons do they have? Not nearly as scary a team as in years past...

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They have a solid OL and good defense. They will not be an easy out.

Tunescribe said:

They have a solid OL and good defense. They will not be an easy out.

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Particularly at the beginning of the season. If NE played them in Oct or Nov, there would be a bigger gap. The fact that they play them in week one probably doesn't favor NE.

supafly said:

Particularly at the beginning of the season. If NE played them in Oct or Nov, there would be a bigger gap. The fact that they play them in week one probably doesn't favor NE.

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Yup. The Pats OL hasn't had time to develop chemistry. I see a tight, low-scoring game.

aluminum seats said:

If this group of wide receivers performs at all like we hope that they might, I think the Gronk-less Pats offense will be fine.

But I do wonder… Pats trailing, fourth-quarter, under five minutes to go, third and 16 from their own 36. Who makes the play?

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JULES

Anybody else tired of opening against the Steelers?

I also don’t mind them playing on Sunday night rather than Thursday night as they have more time to prepare.

TheRainMaker said:

Anybody else tired of opening against the Steelers?

I also don’t mind them playing on Sunday night rather than Thursday night as they have more time to prepare.

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It’s happened twice since Brady has been here. 15 and 02

Bruins29 said:

It’s happened twice since Brady has been here. 15 and 02

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I meant opening up in prime time as Super Bowl Champs. This will be the 3rd time. So 50% of the time they won a Super Bowl they opened up against the Steelers.

TheRainMaker said:

I meant opening up in prime time as Super Bowl Champs. This will be the 3rd time. So 50% of the time they won a Super Bowl they opened up against the Steelers.

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Ahhhh

AndyJohnson said:

Week 1 can’t be must win.

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Agreed. Except that because I'll be there it is a personal must win for me...

Tunescribe said:

Yup. The Pats OL hasn't had time to develop chemistry. I see a tight, low-scoring game.

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I agree regarding the ol. They'll be much better a month from now after 4-5 games together.
They're going vs. a very good dl.
But while I don't think Pats blow them out, I see a competitive game where NE stays consistently a score ahead and wins by 7-10.
In control but challenged beginning to end.

If you want to have a good shot at beating the Patriots it is in the first 4 games. Every season needs time for the planets to align.

That being said with the Defense talent we have and how they have looked is going to make it extremely hard to beat us this year. Now we have a defense that can get off the field and allow more time for Brady and the Offense who will get theirs.

TheRainMaker said:

I meant opening up in prime time as Super Bowl Champs. This will be the 3rd time. So 50% of the time they won a Super Bowl they opened up against the Steelers.

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How about this for incredible. I am sitting here thinking, reading this post:

In 2002 I was 7 mos. pregnant with my 2nd set of twins but I was determined to go to opening night in the brand new stadium when we were raising the banner and playing the hated Steelers. I drank too much water and hit the people sitting in front of me with my huge stomach multiple times on my way to the ladies room. On Sunday, one of those twins will be going with me to the game and she has offered to drive me home if I drink too (non-water) much at the festivities.

What an incredible run we've had and are still having, thanks to BB and TB! I don't mind opening against the Steelers, as long as we win!