We're on to Pittsburgh

[jumbo77]

So far on the NFL network I have seen how he Steelers can beat the Patriots. Now they are coming back with will the Patriots power ranking drop after the Houston game. The Pats did win by 18 didn't they?

 

[jumbo77]

So far on the NFL network I have seen how he Steelers can beat the Patriots. Now they are coming back with will the Patriots power ranking drop after the Houston game. The Pats did win by 18 didn't they?

At least someone is defending New England.

 

[supafly]

The week 1-3 Bennett was what the hype promised - pretty dominant run blocker, sneaky receiver (just not the escapability and acceleration after the catch of Gronk). Since then, maybe coinciding with the injuries, he's been inconsistent at best, but even his up games have been, to me, scheme based more than pure athletic talent. It's telling that in all these second half of the season games - how many goal line plays have gone to him? Not too many. Now maybe they're "saving" them, but I don't buy into that too much, if at all.

All that said...the better question is - compared to previous years has he provided as good or better Gronk insurance than his predecessors? And does next years' cap easily absorb the extra to keep him now that Collins and Jones are gone?

I don't see any scenarios where Belichick steps outside of his value system, aside from maybe a guy like McCourty a couple of years ago.

In other words, I don't see as much of a relationship to available cap space and overpaying for a player like many seem to do. If the reports are true that Bennett seriously turned down 7m dollars a year, I think there's a halfway decent chance that he's gone; unless of course, they reach a middle ground on a one year deal.

 

[PatsSox363804]

I'm thinking Brady won't be missing plays like this

 

[SVN]

Strahan picks Steelers to upset Patriots in AFC Championship

 

[FourierSeries]

Strahan picks Steelers to upset Patriots in AFC Championship

Not that his opinion matters, but he doesn't sound very confident. He says he thinks they will pull off the upset if NE plays like they did vs Houston.

 

[Julius]

I have to admit, I'm enjoying the way this team is getting overlooked.

 

[PScottman]

I don't see any scenarios where Belichick steps outside of his value system, aside from maybe a guy like McCourty a couple of years ago.

In other words, I don't see as much of a relationship to available cap space and overpaying for a player like many seem to do. If the reports are true that Bennett seriously turned down 7m dollars a year, I think there's a halfway decent chance that he's gone; unless of course, they reach a middle ground on a one year deal.

I don't disagree. How much value is the so-called Gronk insurance? Is there an outcome of this year that skews that decision making one way or the other? History is on your side here - the team has traditionally set values and stuck by them.

 

[Todd Bradley]

I feel better when medidiots are picking against us.

Bulliten board material. Hyped the players up, maybe subconsciously, when they hear ex-players like McNabb and Strahan say they can't be the Steelers, at home, no less.

Keep it coming...

 

[supafly]

I don't disagree. How much value is the so-called Gronk insurance? Is there an outcome of this year that skews that decision making one way or the other? History is on your side here - the team has traditionally set values and stuck by them.

I'm just having a difficult time with the idea of Bennett as anything close to Gronk insurance, that's all. It will obviously be up to Belichick's opinion and assessment, but I don't think he's worth what many are suggesting.

 

[ViperGTS]

I have to admit, I'm enjoying the way this team is getting overlooked.

I have a lot of feelings about this game. It's a mix of the "On to Cincinnati" game added into the Colts AFCCG. I just have a feeling this team, at home won't be denied.

 

[dannydyn]

R-E-L-A-X

I have a feeling we can run the table...

 

[SVN]

I watched the houston game again and two small random observations.
1. Man the pats could do with a big WR. Its amazing how hard the catches in the deep balls become with our small wideouts. Dont get me wrong , edelman and hogan do their best but a big WR would really open it up.
2. Did anyone get the sense that brady was kinda 'joyless' from the start of the game. Yes he is always focused and has that serious look on his face but I felt he looked somewhat anxious and tense. Kinda like in the "game that shall not be named" where he got visibly pissed when they lost the coin toss and chance to take the ball on offense. I hope he calms down a bit especially when he has lot of people on offense who are experiencing this for the first time.

 

[Guts]

How good is PIT secondary and how good is their interior rush?? That's the only way to beat NE rushing 4 and drop everyone else into coverage. I haven't seen enough PIT games so I'm curious to know

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

1. Man the pats could do with a big WR. Its amazing how hard the catches in the deep balls become with our small wideouts. Dont get me wrong , edelman and hogan do their best but a big WR would really open it up. .

ummm.....Floyd?

2. Did anyone get the sense that brady was kinda 'joyless' from the start of the game. Yes he is always focused and has that serious look on his face but I felt he looked somewhat anxious and tense. Kinda like in the "game that shall not be named" where he got visibly pissed when they lost the coin toss and chance to take the ball on offense. I hope he calms down a bit especially when he has lot of people on offense who are experiencing this for the first time.

Yeah, I noticed that too. He should take a page out of Garoppolo's book and use some bath salts

 

[ViperGTS]

How good is PIT secondary and how good is their interior rush?? That's the only way to beat NE rushing 4 and drop everyone else into coverage. I haven't seen enough PIT games so I'm curious to know

Not good enough for that. Not nearly good enough. I now think Tomlin will change his D to man and put as much pressure as he can up the middle. Something he said today, like "Stay tuned". Problem is, that's not what his D is good at and it will backfire.

I just hope BB and Co have a good handle on that and have an instant change in game plan to match it.

 

[supafly]

ummm.....Floyd?

I'm skeptical as to whether or not Floyd will contribute much on Sunday, but having a bigger WR would certainly help. Maybe we can get Mitchell going again? He seems to have a much better chemistry with Brady.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

The Patriots are absolutely locked in right now......I cannot wait to see what's in store for Sunday

Patriots’ defensive preparation for Steelers begins with Le’Veon Bell

The Pittsburgh offense truly runs through Le’Veon Bell, whose unparalleled rushing style creates problems for even the most disciplined of defenses. That’s why, despite having the day off yesterday, many Pats were fully immersed in their preparation with film study for Bell and the other problems the Steelers present.

 

[ViperGTS]

The Patriots are absolutely locked in right now......I cannot wait to see what's in store for Sunday

Patriots’ defensive preparation for Steelers begins with Le’Veon Bell

The Pittsburgh offense truly runs through Le’Veon Bell, whose unparalleled rushing style creates problems for even the most disciplined of defenses. That’s why, despite having the day off yesterday, many Pats were fully immersed in their preparation with film study for Bell and the other problems the Steelers present.

I remember one of those Pats SB videos. In it Willie is seen heading into the elevator and its maybe 530 am. Playoff time I think he said. This team reminds me very much of that. They feel it, they can taste it.

Edit: playoff time, there is no such thing as off days at least for the Pats.

 

[drewskie]

I don't think we'll have trouble scoring tbh.

The key to this game will be how we defend Bell. Will we sell out to stop the run by bringing our safeties closer to the LOS or just play 7 in the box? If we dont have to over commit to to defending the run, then I see very few scenarios where things dont go our way.

Or will Pittsburgh get creative and throw us a curveball by using Bell as a receiver?