Steelers Vs. Undefeated Patriots

rennch · rennch's Garage

Ok...obviously the Steelers have their work cut out for them.

I should preface this with...I'm a Steelers fan. But I'm also a realist. Obviously the Pats are as solid of a team we've seen in many years. But, the Eagles and Ravens exposed a few things:

1. You can shake Tom Brady if you get to him early
2. You can run on the Pats.

So...the Steelers lead the AFC in sacks with 33. They've got a crew of talented, pissed-off linebackers. They WILL be without the Tazmanian Devil, Troy Polamalu, so that could be trouble in the secondary. If the Pats jump out to a two or three touchdown lead early, it's *trouble*.

They also have Willie Parker, who at any given time can break one for 80 yards. If their blocking schemes get him rolling early, then they've got a shot.

So...I think it's either going to be close, and in favor of the Steelers (27-24), or the Pats blow them out 41-14.

Your thoughts?

Craig 930 RS · 12-08-2007, 10:12 PM

I'll send you $10 if the Pats win.
You send me $20 if the Steelers win.

Before game time - Deal?

rennch · rennch's Garage

Uh, no.

I actually *want* the Steelers to win.

You send me $50 if the Steelers win, or $20 if the Patriots win. Deal before gametime?

Craig 930 RS · 12-08-2007, 10:26 PM

'Want' and 'probably will' are two different things, Michael

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

It all comes down to the run. If NE can establish a run against the Steelers, it's probably lights out. If they can DEFEND against the Steelers' run but can't get their own running game going, I'd say they have a slight advantage. If they do neither, they're in serious trouble.

One thing that was pretty glaring against the Ravens was how easily McGahee was able to penetrate the line on virtually every carry and get to the secondary. The Steelers' run game isn't going to be any less aggressive or tough to defend.

I doubt Brady will have two "off" weeks in a row though. I suspect he'll come out throwing and looking to march down the field and score right away before trying to establish the run game with Maroney and/or Faulk.

Jeff · 12-09-2007, 05:23 AM

I think the Steelers have a very good chance of beating the Pats (this coming from a Bengals fan and all). After seeing how close the Eagles and Ravens kept the Patriots...

The Steelers have BOTH an offense AND a defense, something the Pats have yet to face. I agree if they can get to Brady early they can shake him. They are a beatable team. GO STEELERS (something I thought I would never say ;-) ).

89911 · 12-09-2007, 05:43 AM

Ok, I am a Steelers lifetime fan and live in Pittsburgh. I do think the Steelers have a shot. It's not as if the Patriots have morphed into super beings and physically are superior. The last two games showed this. They are really 2 people, Belichek and Brady, that make all the difference. The Steelers weakest link over the last half dozen meetings with them has been Cowher. Great guy, big motivator, but he could coach in the big games. Just check out his record in Conference games. This year we have Tomlin who is unbeaten by the Patriots. He seems to let his respective coaches run the game and they, for most of games, had done a decent job. The Steelers were picked to finish 3rd in the conference and not have a winning record this year by the way. This game really doesn't mean that much to either team, the Pats are going to clinch and the Steelers are going to win the conference. 3 years ago we beat NE when they had won 21 games in a row and they beat up pretty bad in the playoffs. 2 years ago we lost to Indy when they were unbeaten and we beat them soundly in their building. Sometimes you can learn more from losing. Just have to win where it counts. The Steelers weakest link is their offensive line and I just don't think they can protect and block enough to keep up with the Pats. Thats a hard weakness to conceal.

mattdavis11 · 12-09-2007, 06:16 AM

If the Steelers can contain Wes Welker, they should have a better chance at beating the Pats than the Eagles or Ravens had. As the season(s) gets closer to the end and the temperature drops, Brady becomes more inaccurate with his passes. His only saving grace has been having an excellent FG kicker on his sideline in the past. I'm not saying that he doesn't have a decent one now, but that guy is no Adam Vinatieri.

equality72521 · 12-09-2007, 06:19 AM

I think the Pats will win. The steelers don't have a chance. I say this because every time I say someone will win they lose. So, the Pats will win, I guarantee it.

Mule · 12-09-2007, 06:33 AM

If last week's game was any indication, it will all come down to officiating. If the calls go like last week, the USMC couldn't beat the Patriots.

rennch · rennch's Garage

It *does* seem that when the Steelers get a second chance, after losing the first game to someone, they'll beat them the second time around. So, if they lose today, I won't be heartbroken, but if they win, it'll be great. And I'll be 50 bucks richer. :P

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I picked the Steelers to cover the (12 point) spread but NE to win. We shall see.

JCF · 12-09-2007, 09:11 AM

Another tough one.
Steelers are a lot like the Ravens (of last week, and last year) but tougher.
Great D (#1)
Solid running game.

But didn't they lose to the JETS ?!!

Depends on which of the teams show up for either team.

I think the Pats will be re focused for this one - at Gillette - crunch time (they are 26-6 in Dec.)
Pats win but a[nother] great game.
I'm in for 27-24 the other way (Pats on top)

sammyg2 · 12-09-2007, 09:32 AM

I think the biggest factor here wil lbe last monday's game. Typically teams that have a short week don't do well. If a team plays on monday the odds are worse for them on the following sunday.

Either that pats will lose a close one today, or get really pissed off and kill the steelers and run up the score bigtime to send a message. I'd prefer the latter.

89911 · 12-09-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule

If last week's game was any indication, it will all come down to officiating. If the calls go like last week, the USMC couldn't beat the Patriots.

If thats the case, then were doomed!

The single worse call (and worse rule) there is in football.

gprsh924 · 12-09-2007, 12:42 PM

worst?

And it looks like Brady had a few words for Smith after that touchdown. Goodstuff...looks like it should be a decent game

gprsh924 · 12-09-2007, 12:55 PM

I wonder how anthony smith feels about his guarantee now, after being made to look foolish on that play action fake. He blew the coverage, moss scores

89911 · 12-09-2007, 03:17 PM

I could make a lot of excuses (One would be our all pro starting safety is out, Polamolu) but I won't. NE is the better team and went right after the backups, which they should. We will wait for the post season to see how it prevails.

89911 · 12-09-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gprsh924

worst?

And it looks like Brady had a few words for Smith after that touchdown. Goodstuff...looks like it should be a decent game

The "Tuck" rule absolutely stinks. It cost Oakland a championship that year. If a quarterback is fumbling, he just has to motion forward when he is losing the ball. Stupid.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by equality72521

I think the Pats will win. The steelers don't have a chance. I say this because every time I say someone will win they lose. So, the Pats will win, I guarantee it.

There goes THAT mojo....

Doesn't matter to me who wins, as long as Pittsburgh loses.