Pittsburgh this week, then the bye

[Ring 6]

No, the Jets that ripped us a new butthole a little over a week ago! The Jets that everyone here were mocking in the week leading to that game.

You think they are having a Happy Monday because of what happened 2 weeks ago?
Ripped a new butthole is an interesting take on a 3 point OT loss. I guess it kindo f defines your posting,so I suppose I can skip your posts.

Probably the same idiots who now mocking the Steelers.... Christ

Who cares what posters say about an opponent, or are you telling me that you are one of those people who thinks the Patriots lost to the Jets because the fans jinxsed them.

 

[Dagg]

The biggest asset we having going for us in this game is the Pittsburgh Oline. I have McFadden in my Fantasy league so I watched that game yesterday and Big Ben was under constant harassment every time he dropped back. Pitt doesn't have the WR to win the 1v1 vs the blitz. I will say Sanders is incredibly shifty and very dangerous after the catch. He made some people look silly on a 2 pt try where he shoulda been tackled 2 or 3 times.

 

[Ring 6]

A win over Pitt combined with the schedule the rest of the East faces next week would give the Patriots a great cushion heading down the home stretch, as they would be 7-2 with a 3 game lead in the East. 4-3 the rest of the way would essentially lock up the division.

That said it won't be easy, nothing for this team is or will be the rest of this season. Alot of growing pains this season, but imo it will all pay off and next year's team is going to be really really good.

I think that 3 more wins locks the division to be honest.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Agreed 100%. Maybe Dobson emerging in the 2nd half yesterday will spur some confidence in Brady looking his way instead of at a double or triple covered Gronk.

I'd had the same thought about KT after the TD winning catch against the Saints, but the following 2 weeks the targeting of the rooks decreased. I'm truly at a loss to explain this. And yes, the rooks do need to improve greatly.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The way we've been playing, i don't see why can't lose to Pittsburgh, heck i don't see why we can't lose to the Jaguar lol. This offense is unconscious, like a comatic stage.We're leaving on the edge, its all great until we get that wake up call loss.

Let me explain to you Jets fans that pretty much every Patriots Superbowl winning team was capable of losing to most any opponent. It's a given. Other teams have elite professional athletes that can play over their abilities on occasion.

 

[dales804]

I'd had the same thought about KT after the TD winning catch against the Saints, but the following 2 weeks the targeting of the rooks decreased. I'm truly at a loss to explain this. And yes, the rooks do need to improve greatly.

Is KT even alive? I don't remember him at all yesterday (14 snaps, I think) and just two targets against the Jets.

I'm looking to after the bye when, hopefully, Brady's hand is better and they can do some self scouting to look in depth at the issues. But after that I hope to see Brady spreading that ball around.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'd had the same thought about KT after the TD winning catch against the Saints, but the following 2 weeks the targeting of the rooks decreased. I'm truly at a loss to explain this. And yes, the rooks do need to improve greatly.

I think Brady relied on the rookies because he had no choice, but with Gronkowski and Amendola available again, and Edelman getting less defensive attention due to their presence he can now go to the guys he knows will be where they are supposed to. And as much as Brady hates drops i think he hates receivers not being where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there much much more. Despite his obvious talent I think this is where Thompkins is ultimately going to lose ground to Dobson, who, after not reading the back shoulder throw against the Jets the previous week seemed to start understanding what Brady is thinking better this week, and that's where the trust with Brady will start. he still needs to hang onto the ball but that won't even come into play if he isn't on the same page with Brady on timing and space,

 

[jmt57]

For two years now Pittsburgh has had one big problem with their defense: they don't force turnovers. In 2012 they had the "best" defense in the NFL because they ranked first in yardage, but they were just 20th in takeaways. This year is more of the same: 4th in yardage, but only one defense has fewer takeaways.

The result is that many people say the Steelers defense is great and they blame their offense for their not winning more, but in today's NFL a defense needs to come up with turnovers. If the reverse were occurring (i.e., an offense leading the league in yardage, but turning the ball over all the time) then fans and the media would point their fingers at the offense, but it seems as if Pittsburgh's defense gets a pass from most of the public.

Offensively Pittsburgh has turned the ball over 14 times; only eight teams have more turnovers. They are averaging 17.9 points per game; only the Giants, Texans, Bucs and Jaguars are scoring fewer points. The offensive line can neither pass protect not run block well, and they didn't appear to be very well focused against the Raiders.

Still, they have enough talent that this game is anything but a gimme. After yesterday's game in Oakland I would expect them to have a huge chip on their shoulder. They need to win this game badly in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.


Gene Collier: Same problems for Steelers, so much for a turnaround - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After winning two games in a row and at least getting to their knees after an 0-4 start, the team that took the stage against the Raiders here Sunday was again shockingly bad, immeasurably bad and perhaps irredeemably bad.

But you'd never know it from a quick postgame survey of the losing locker room....

Woodley's main contribution was losing contain so spectacularly on the first play from scrimmage that Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor took off like a deer through a stunned Steelers defense and didn't stop for 93 yards, the longest touchdown run by an NFL quarterback. Later, Woodley danced around in the backfield with Darren McFadden without managing to lay a glove on him as the Raiders galloped off to a 21-3 halftime lead....


Several of Woodley and Browns' teammates expressed a sincere interest in looking at the film of this one, and when they do, they should be careful not to miss the forest for the trees. They should try to identify, in the moment, somebody they can count on, anybody they can count on, because I'm not seeing that person.

Even Heath Miller, as reliable a Steeler as has come down the road in years, is fumbling the ball in 2013, failing to hang on to passes in big situations, and the list of the irresponsible grows predictably from there.

Ike Taylor was scalded repeatedly by non-descript wideout Denarius Moore. Emmanuel Sanders conjured up a false start on a critical third-and-5 in the first half. Ben Roethlisberger had his worst passer rating since December while he watched his record against Oakland drop to 1-4. Le'Veon Bell managed 24 yards on 13 carries, a sorry performance not even the devilishly clever "wildcat" package could save.

Even if this nonsense were producing anything -- and it's not -- offensive coordinator Todd Haley should drop the wildcat attack just for its obvious pitfalls. Splitting Roethlisberger out from the formation makes the offense play 10 against 11, and isn't the quarterback already plenty vulnerable enough in the traditional set-up? He was sacked another five times Sunday, 27 times this season....


Not even Shaun Suisham, the reigning AFC special teams player of the week, could save the day when so many around him were losing their heads and the football. Suisham missed two makeable kicks in a three-point loss, but Sweezy's so far down the list of this team's troubles that it's barely worth pressing charges.

Trouble's just about everywhere you look on this roster.

The Steelers allowed three rushing touchdowns, the third time this season they've allowed two or more in a game. In all of 2012, all of 2011 and all of 2010, the Steelers never allowed more than one rushing touchdown in a game.

Even more ominous for what remains of a long season, this is a team that has scored only 11 touchdowns in 28 quarters. The offense was 0 for 7 on third down in the first half, 4 for 15 when it ended....


Mistakes were made, the leaders say when this kind of thing happens.

But the biggest mistake was probably external. It was by the people who mistakenly thought the Steelers were moving steadily toward competence.​

 

[dannydyn]

You think they are having a Happy Monday because of what happened 2 weeks ago?
Ripped a new butthole is an interesting take on a 3 point OT loss. I guess it kindo f defines your posting,so I suppose I can skip your posts.

For the Jets, every day is a HAPPY day after beating the Patriots. They can go the rest of the schedule losing every goddamn game, and still be happy about handing it to us. The 3 point loss was the icing on the cake. May I remind you that we went down at halftime with an 11 point lead, which we BLEW in the second half? The lousy Jets outplayed us, outcoached us, and out-fcked-us. Quite frankly, if these idiots were just a ‘tad’ better, that game would not have even gone into overtime. They would have won it in regulation.

Who cares what posters say about an opponent, or are you telling me that you are one of those people who thinks the Patriots lost to the Jets because the fans jinxsed them.

No, we didn’t lose to the Jets because some poster jinxed them. We lost to the Jets because we played like a monkey fcking a football. The same EXACT REASON why I don’t take ANY team we will be facing this season lightly. Our playing level is mediocre at best. We *barely* beat the Bills, *barely* beat the Jets at home, lost to the Bengals, lost to the freaking Jets, squeaked out a win out of the Saints (again after blowing our first half lead), and played a VERY POOR first half yesterday. Which one of these results screams dominance in your opinion????

The way I see it, we had more luck than brains with those wins.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think that 3 more wins locks the division to be honest.

I would love to be able to say that but you just never know in this league. I would have bet my house going into last year's play-offs that Baltimore wouldn't win it all, but then I wouldn't have a house. Good thing i don't bet often.

 

[Ring 6]

For the Jets, every day is a HAPPY day after beating the Patriots. They can go the rest of the schedule losing every goddamn game, and still be happy about handing it to us. The 3 point loss was the icing on the cake. May I remind you that we went down at halftime with an 11 point lead, which we BLEW in the second half? The lousy Jets outplayed us, outcoached us, and out-fcked-us. Quite frankly, if these idiots were just a ‘tad’ better, that game would not have even gone into overtime. They would have won it in regulation.



No, we didn’t lose to the Jets because some poster jinxed them. We lost to the Jets because we played like a monkey fcking a football. The same EXACT REASON why I don’t take ANY team we will be facing this season lightly. Our playing level is mediocre at best. We *barely* beat the Bills, *barely* beat the Jets at home, lost to the Bengals, lost to the freaking Jets, squeaked out a win out of the Saints (again after blowing our first half lead), and played a VERY POOR first half yesterday. Which one of these results screams dominance in your opinion????

The way I see it, we had more luck than brains with those wins.

Wow, I wish I could get back the time I spent thinking I wanted to know your opinion.

 

[dannydyn]

Wow, I wish I could get back the time I spent thinking I wanted to know your opinion.

That's all you have?

Thought so.

 

[Ring 6]

Pittsburgh then the bye

That's all you have?

Thought so.

That's all I need. Your post golf me who you are.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Wow, I wish I could get back the time I spent thinking I wanted to know your opinion.

That's about as pompous as it gets.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Somewhat agree with Andy that we're at most 4 Ws away from locking the AFCE at 10-6. With 8 games left, my quantum qbit superposition computer decoheres into we go 50% from now on and the East is ours. The wins against all contenders make the next tie breaker conference wins. Both the Jets 4L and the Phins 3L have more conference losses than the Pats 2L. Don't see either with only 2 more losses this season.

I expect substantial improvement after the Bye. Time for the coaching staff to do some needed re-assessment and the education of the very young team to continue unabated.

 

[goheels22002]

For two years now Pittsburgh has had one big problem with their defense: they don't force turnovers. In 2012 they had the "best" defense in the NFL because they ranked first in yardage, but they were just 20th in takeaways. This year is more of the same: 4th in yardage, but only one defense has fewer takeaways.

The problem for the Patriots next week is that the Steelers' defense is just the type of outfit that can keep the offense out of the Red Zone and turn this into a field position and field goal kicking snoozefest. The Patriots are struggling in 2013 to mount any sort of sustained drive that overcomes poor field position. There have been a couple of exceptions, but it's not like the last two years when an 80-yard 12-play drive was something they mounted two or three times a game.

The Steelers have good special teams, as well. We know they have a great punter - Zoltan the Impaler! - to keep the Patriots pinned in their own end. Shaun Suisham is so-so as a field goal kicker and is not a sure thing outside of 40 yards.

I have a feeling that the Patriots-Steelers game will wind up being close and the score will wind up in the high teens.

 

[Harrisoned!]

The problem for the Patriots next week is that the Steelers' defense is just the type of outfit that can keep the offense out of the Red Zone and turn this into a field position and field goal kicking snoozefest. The Patriots are struggling in 2013 to mount any sort of sustained drive that overcomes poor field position. There have been a couple of exceptions, but it's not like the last two years when an 80-yard 12-play drive was something they mounted two or three times a game.

The Steelers have good special teams, as well. We know they have a great punter - Zoltan the Impaler! - to keep the Patriots pinned in their own end. Shaun Suisham is so-so as a field goal kicker and is not a sure thing outside of 40 yards.

I have a feeling that the Patriots-Steelers game will wind up being close and the score will wind up in the high teens.

Mesko ranks 31st in the NFL in gross punting average and 29th in net average. Seems like the Pats were justified in dumping him.

Suisham is the definition of an average kicker in terms of FG% (82% for career) and is one of the worst in the NFL on kickoffs (just a 22% touchback rate). That said, daring Blount to run it more than 20 yards might not be a bad gamble...

The Pats have an excellent STs unit and Pitt is average if not poor. I expect NE to win the "hidden yards" of special teams next week.

 

[mosi]

2013 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com

The Steelers look a lot like the Patriots - stout defense and struggling offense.

The Steelers are 4th in yards allowed defensively and 1st in TD passes allowed. I see a low-scoring grinder in Pittsburgh coming.

I wouldn't sleep on Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Roethlisberger is completing 66% of his passes when he's not getting sacked. The Patriots pass rush should be able to get to him, but the Steelers usually have a good game game plan against the Patriots, and this is a huge game for them in the AFC and because it's the Patriots.

The most telling stat on the defensive chart at pro-football-reference is that the Steelers have 10 sacks to their opponents 27 - ouch! At least the Patriots are getting to the opposing passer at about the same rate that Brady is getting sacked. But Brady is getting sacked a lot and that doesn't get better with the loss of Vollmer.

I would like to see Talib on the field this week if he can go. It comes before the bye and if he can do his thing against Antonio Brown who is having a stellar season (56 receptions for 630 yards through 7 games), the Patriots will have a better chance of surviving week 9.

I agree and think this game will be a lot like the Cincinnati game. I am looking at a 7-6 game, with the Pats winning. Big Ben will have a short dump off picked off late in the 4th quarter to seal the game.

 

[Sicilian]

No, the Jets that ripped us a new butthole a little over a week ago! The Jets that everyone here were mocking in the week leading to that game.

Probably the same idiots who now mocking the Steelers.... Christ

The Bengals ripped the Jets a new butthole yesterday. That's a butthole ripping.

The Jets beat the Patriots, at home, in overtime on a field goal off a highly debatable penalty call. Do you really not see a difference?

The drama on this board sometimes, I swear...

 

[dannydyn]

The Bengals ripped the Jets a new butthole yesterday. That's a butthole ripping.

The Jets beat the Patriots, at home, in overtime on a field goal off a highly debatable penalty call. Do you really not see a difference?

The drama on this board sometimes, I swear...

No I don't see.... considering we had a full 11 point lead on that green garbage at half time, and somehow managed to lose the game, no I don't see it~!