Official pregame thread.... the AFC Championship Game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6:40 pm ET)

[Tony2046]

I rewatched the game from earlier this year, both the network broadcast and the All-22. Some thoughts and observations...

- Landry Jones played decently. His only display of missing guys badly "like a backup would" was at the end of the game trying to make the score closer. Otherwise he made pretty good decisions and throws. If Roethlisberger played, I'm not sure he would have done a ton more.

- Pats clearly focused on stopping Bell and did well overall. Bell was scariest running routes. Pats pass rush was sacrificed for good gap control.

- Pats run D looked best with Branch giving Pouncey all he could handle. When Branch was out, Pittsburgh controlled the LOS better.

- Brown looked his best crossing the field. On routes where he stayed on his side of the field, the Pats defended him well.

- DHB had a pretty decent game as a secondary option. Nobody else did, but Eli Rodgers did not play.

- Gronk had one catch in the first half. Pats did most of their damage with Edelman and Blount.

- Edelman drew Timmons as his primary coverage. Brady repeatedly exploited it, yet Pittsburgh stuck with it.

- Aside from the TD by White, Pittsburgh played the screens well.

- Shazier and Harrison didn't appear to have big impacts. #48 (I forget his name) didn't play.

- Pats turned the ball over twice on their side of the field, but yielded no points.

- Edelman and Bolden dropped wide open 3rd down conversions.

Regards,
Chris

Thanks Chris. Good stuff.

 

[FreeCourtroomBrady]

I heard Big Ben has the flu?

 

[Mike the Brit]

I heard Big Ben has the flu?

Worse than that, I hear:

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

 

[Nikolai]

I heard Big Ben has the flu?

Which may be reported as the bubonic plague.

 

[PlainOldEd]

I have NFLN on in the background and I didn't hear the beginning, but I heard Michael Irvin say to Marshall " I don't get why you and Kurt are always dissing Tom Brady, why do you have a problem with him?" Or something close to that.... Lol

 

[shmessy]

Slot Receiver, my butt. The Unabomber has arrived!!!!!!

(NOW I understand why all the alarms went off in the stadium earlier and they had to evacuate the 300 section).

 

[long distance]

 

[Geezer Butler]

Game cancelled, Steelers locked themselves in and couldn't get out.

 

[Tony2046]

The vicious circle of Triplin's thoughts.

1. The Steelers suspect "Cheaters".

2. The Media spreads Steelers suspect Patriots Cheat.

3. BSPN drops "suspect" and reports factual cheating.

4. Steelers watch BSPN and think, "AHA we knew it".

"Lock the doors!"

 

[FreeCourtroomBrady]

Game cancelled, Steelers locked themselves in and couldn't get out.

Set off the fire alarm, that will get them out, then get in there and overinflate their footballs!

 

[ANGR89]

I have NFLN on in the background and I didn't hear the beginning, but I heard Michael Irvin say to Marshall " I don't get why you and Kurt are always dissing Tom Brady, why do you have a problem with him?" Or something close to that.... Lol

Just seen them put on the screen "other QBS Brady has beat" as a way to diminish their wins. When did Brady start playing defense?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

OK
For those of you warming up for the Game Day Thread, repeat the following after me:

Brady is washed up.
That's the last straw. Belichick should retire.
This Defense can't get off the field to save its life.
The Running Game is pathetic.
They don't have a prayer without Gronk.
With that kind of play calling, Josh should have taken the 'niners job.
Matt Patricia. JAG, without Belichick.
The Steelers are just too much for us today.
That's it. Game's over. We didn't even deserve to be here.

Copy and Paste at will.

See you in the thread...NOT!

 

[shmessy]

 

[PatsDeb]

Heading out to the game in a few minutes. Have a good one everyone, don't kill each other in the game day thread and Go Patriots! I am feeling nervous, but good!

 

[Deus Irae]

So..... dress 5 Wrs and 2 TEs as active?

 

[deroc5050]

I am taking off for the night, heading out to a AFCC party. So I wish the Pats and everyone rooting for them good luck. I hope tommorow when I get back home with my hangover we are celebrating a win! Good luck everyone!

 

[Arialgg]

Only 3 hours and 50 minutes to go.... I wish I could time travel. Let's GOOOOO

 

[shmessy]

So..... dress 5 Wrs and 2 TEs as active?

Due to the injury situation, I think they have to.

 

[ANGR89]

Heading out to the game in a few minutes. Have a good one everyone, don't kill each other in the game day thread and Go Patriots! I am feeling nervous, but good!

Be very loud lol