The '13 AFC title loss to the Ravens

[WHPats]

Hey it's my very first thread!

So the only time that the Pats have lost the AFC title game on home turf was the 2013 AFC title game against Baltimore (4 years ago to the day actually). My memory is a bit foggy but I remember that team not being as good as the current one and a highly physical Baltimore defense just punching us in the mouth. Plus Flacco was hot and our D couldn't handle their big physical receivers like Anquan Bolden and Jacoby Jones. I remember we could have easily lost to them the year before and they wanted payback (and the whole emotional lift from Ray Lewis' last hurrah didn't hurt either.) That Baltimore team was damn good, I don't think this year's group of Pittsburgh Steelers is quite as good, especially on defense.

What do you guys remember about why we lost? What can we do to prevent this from happening again?

 

[shmessy]

I remember Ridley practically having his noggin crushed live on television. That was hideous.

 

[deroc5050]

I don't really remember how the season ended for the 2012/2013 playoffs. I believe Gronk was out and we couldn't over come it offensively.. but I honestly don't remember. Oddly enough I don't really remember much about the 2013/2014 Denver Broncos AFC title game either. I think again no Gronk and no one to throw the ball too.

2015 AFC title game we had healthy Gronk and just destroyed and won the Super Bowl.

2016 AFC title game we had Gronk and probably had enough to win but the O line was destroyed.

2017 No Gronk again, but this time we have multiple WR's that Brady trusts and 3 healthy running backs. And an offensive line that seems to be better over all this season.

If the Pats secondary and Oline play great that should equal a win for the Pats. But you never know whats going to happen.

 

[sz11nike]

A couple of drops from Hernandez and especially Welker that stalled a drive in the 3rd and shifted momentum. Ridley got knocked out cold and fumbled too if I recall.

BAL just out toughed NE that day.

 

[Tunescribe]

I remember Ridley practically having his noggin crushed live on television. That was hideous.

Harbaugh called that play "Football at its finest."

With due respect to the OP, perhaps it's best to leave heartbreaking defeats alone and focus on more positive things. There's nothing to be learned now from losing to a different team years ago that's pertinent to this coming Sunday.

 

[RIpats88]

That game ended much like 2013 when Aqib talib got hurt and took himself out of the game. Leaving the likes of sterling moore? To cover boldin. And our defense got abused.

Luckily i dont think butler would take himself out. And i dont think the steelers defense is as good as the ravens that year

 

[Nikolai]

Harbaugh called that play "Football at its finest."

With due respect to the OP, perhaps it's best to leave heartbreaking defeats alone and focus on more positive things. There's nothing to be learned now from losing to a different team year ago that's pertinent to this coming Sunday.

I've kinda noticed this trend in the last day or so where people are posting things, wanting to revisit our playoff losses over the last few years, and the one "positive" was the AFCCG on the way to the SB that will not be named.

 

[fightingirish595]

Couldn't finish any drives. Kept crossing the 50 and we stalled, got outplayed all game. Defense did fine until talib got hurt. Not sure we would have beaten Frisco anyway. I think we would have had more success against San Fran in the previous year than 2012

 

[deroc5050]

That game ended much like 2013 when Aqib talib got hurt and took himself out of the game. Leaving the likes of sterling moore? To cover boldin. And our defense got abused.

Luckily i dont think butler would take himself out. And i dont think the steelers defense is as good as the ravens that year

For whatever reason the Ravens and the Broncos typically always give us a lot of trouble while the Pats are on offense.

The Pats have owned the Steelers obviously but I would expect Pitt to change things up this time.

 

[jri37]

A couple of drops from Hernandez and especially Welker that stalled a drive in the 3rd and shifted momentum. Ridley got knocked out cold and fumbled too if I recall.

BAL just out toughed NE that day.

Bingo on the Welker drop. Pats were up 13-7 , stopped Balt on the opening drive of the half, got the ball back and drove to the 35 of Balt into a 25 mph wind. It was 3rd around 7-9 and Brady hit Welker right in the numbers inside the 25 and Welker dropped the ball with no Raven on him. They would have had a 1st down, kept momentum and most likely at a minimum kicked a FG or better. Being there it felt the air was let out of the stadium on that play. They had to punt going into the wind and that was the end of that.

 

[ViperGTS]

For whatever reason the Ravens and the Broncos typically always give us a lot of trouble while the Pats are on offense.

The Pats have owned the Steelers obviously but I would expect Pitt to change things up this time.

There is nothing new to suggest that Pitt would "change" things up this time. Best example is hearing, "Well just move Harrison inside and have him rush inside". It ain't that easy. Have the corners play man. It isn't that easy.

You're watching/listening to waaaaaaay too much Boston radio.

 

[fightingirish595]

Bingo on the Welker drop. Pats were up 13-7 , stopped Balt on the opening drive of the half, got the ball back and drove to the 35 of Balt into a 25 mph wind. It was 3rd around 7-9 and Brady hit Welker right in the numbers inside the 25 and Welker dropped the ball with no Raven on him. They would have had a 1st down, kept momentum and most likely at a minimum kicked a FG or better. Being there it felt the air was let out of the stadium on that play. They had to punt going into the wind and that was the end of that.

There was some awful clock management at the end of the first half two. Looked like we surely get 6, we end up getting only 3. Baltimore goes down to start the 3rd and gets 7 and we're down all of a sudden. I still don't understand the point spread in that game though

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Yeah, Talib went down and Marquise Cole was the replacement, you probably don't need to read the box score to see how that would turn out lol.

 

[Delicate Genius]

I skimmed through the game not that long ago (NFL uploaded it to their YouTube channel). Very odd seeing Hernandez out there knowing what happens five months later.

 

[deroc5050]

There is nothing new to suggest that Pitt would "change" things up this time. Best example is hearing, "Well just move Harrison inside and have him rush inside". It ain't that easy. Have the corners play man. It isn't that easy.

You're watching/listening to waaaaaaay too much Boston radio.

No I just think the Steelers will change things up, or frustrate Brady enough. The Patriots didn't have the greatest day on offense playing Pitt this season, and we had Gronk.

I have no idea whats going to happen. My guess is the Patriots win by a TD or so but honestly this game can go either way. This is a real playoff game. And the Patriots are banged up at the TE and WR positions.

If the Steelers move anyone around it will be Dupree not Harrison.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That game ended much like 2013 when Aqib talib got hurt and took himself out of the game. Leaving the likes of sterling moore? To cover boldin. And our defense got abused.

Luckily i dont think butler would take himself out. And i dont think the steelers defense is as good as the ravens that year

Losing Talib, dropped passes and Ridley getting killed were 1,2 and 3 on the reasons for the loss.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Harbaugh called that play "Football at its finest."

With due respect to the OP, perhaps it's best to leave heartbreaking defeats alone and focus on more positive things. There's nothing to be learned now from losing to a different team year ago that's pertinent to this coming Sunday.

No kidding

We've had the 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010 losses to lament over.

While we're at it, lets talk about the the 1986 AFC Dvisional when Eason held onto the ball too long and was sacked by Rulon Jones?

 

[IndianPat]

Didn't Edelman play corner in that game? I remember Boldin taking him to the cleaners.

 

[Kontradiction]

Didn't Edelman play corner in that game? I remember Boldin taking him to the cleaners.

That was in 2011.

And thanks for the post, OP. I was wondering when I was going to get a kick in the balls today.

 

[blackglass3]

Marquis Cole was a fine CB 3 or 4, and a decent Special Team player. When he had to play after Talib got "hurt", it was clear that Cole was in WAY over his head against Bolden. All I remember clearly is Flacco chucking the ball down the field and completing most of those passes.