Game Thread: AFC Championship: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots 6:40pm EST on CBS

[DJ]

I really like the Steelers in this game....

 

[NEPatsfan]

I really like the Steelers in this game....

How come? And it's a serious question.

 

[BigKen]

I've been reading so many predictions that I'm stunned. So many prognosticaters and experts are predicting that the Steelers will score in the mid 30s to low 40s and beat the Patriots. Almost to a person they have a minor caveat.............Ben Rothlesberger must play a perfect or faultless game. Yet not one ever mentions the fact that the Patriots have been held to less than 22 points only twice this season. Against Buffalo in game four with their 3rd string quarterback playing the entire game with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. The second game in Denver which a superior Denver defense held them to 16 points and still lost the game. The Patriots offense has averaged 34 points this entire season.

The other thing that not one expert has talked about is that the Patriots defense only gives up 15.6 points per game. Why would any of them be predicting that the Steelers would be scoring in excess of 35 points? Do they truly believe that the Patriots defense will give up 3 more touchdowns than they have normally given up all season?

I wouldn't be shocked if Pittsburgh scored it's average of 24 points per game, but I don't believe that the Steelers can stop the Patriots from scoring 30.

 

[DJ]

Bell, Big Ben, and the Steelers defense.

I like the Steelers in an upset after the way TB played last week.

 

[NEPatsfan]

I've been reading so many predictions that I'm stunned. So many prognosticaters and experts are predicting that the Steelers will score in the mid 30s to low 40s and beat the Patriots. Almost to a person they have a minor caveat.............Ben Rothlesberger must play a perfect or faultless game. Yet not one ever mentions the fact that the Patriots have been held to less than 22 points only twice this season. Against Buffalo in game four with their 3rd string quarterback playing the entire game with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. The second game in Denver which a superior Denver defense held them to 16 points and still lost the game. The Patriots offense has averaged 34 points this entire season.

The other thing that not one expert has talked about is that the Patriots defense only gives up 15.6 points per game. Why would any of them be predicting that the Steelers would be scoring in excess of 35 points? Do they truly believe that the Patriots defense will give up 3 more touchdowns than they have normally given up all season?

I wouldn't be shocked if Pittsburgh scored it's average of 24 points per game, but I don't believe that the Steelers can stop the Patriots from scoring 30.

And the Steelers have only reached or surpassed the 30 line 3 or 4 times this season, I believe.

 

[bksballer89]

DJ couldn't wait to create to this thread just so he can say he started this thread lol

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Pats are tough to beat at home... Pitt is gonna have to win the turnover battle and have some things go there way to pull this off... I'm leaning towards the Pats in a grind out close game...

 

[The Oldtimer]

Pats are tough to beat at home... Pitt is gonna have to win the turnover battle and have some things go there way to pull this off... I'm leaning towards the Pats in a grind out close game...

If the Steelers can put pressure and sack Brady a few times, then they will have a chance to win this game. Also Bell will be huge for Pitt.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

If the Steelers can put pressure and sack Brady a few times, then they will have a chance to win this game. Also Bell will be huge for Pitt.

True, getting pressure on Brady is key, you give him time he's gonna find someone... And yeah Bell controlling that clock and keeping Brady on the sideline as much as possible would help there cause big time... It's a tall order though in New England, should be a great game though, looking forward to it...

 

[Oldschool739]

I really like the Steelers in this game....

I like the Steelers as well. It is very hard to go on the road in NE and win but the 3 B's have the ability to reek havoc on that Pats D and Harrison is Brady bound.
They're bringing pressure on Tawmy for 60 mins straight.
I don't discount NE's abilities but Both starting TE's are out, so stop the run and Edelman and game over. Of course they have to stop them though.

 

[DJ]

I like the Steelers as well. It is very hard to go on the road in NE and win but the 3 B's have the ability to reek havoc on that Pats D and Harrison is Brady bound.
They're bringing pressure on Tawmy for 60 mins straight.
I don't discount NE's abilities but Both starting TE's are out, so stop the run and Edelman and game over. Of course they have to stop them though.

I agree. The Pats OL isn't that great....the Steelers defense should be able to control the trenches.

Despite winning by a nice amount, the game vs the Texans was very close for most of it. And the Steelers are a much better overall team than Houston imo.

 

[NEhomer]

Pats 38
Steelers 24

 

[NWPATSFAN]

I agree. The Pats OL isn't that great....the Steelers defense should be able to control the trenches.

Despite winning by a nice amount, the game vs the Texans was very close for most of it. And the Steelers are a much better overall team than Houston imo.

Some of these posts are too funny. Not sure if people are just trying to stir up the pot or what? Too add to what @BigKen said already
and no one has refuted why do people think that terrible Steelers D will get to Brady? Pitt has a DECENT front 7. They're not as good as Denver's nor the Texans. The back end is horrid. They've put together a fewgood games late in the season that's all they've done. Houston is also NE south. If that coaching staff couldn't figure out how to stop NE why would anyone believe Tomlin and company can. BB and TB have owned the Steelers the past few seasons. Just because NE gives up yards let's not think that means the killer bees will have a day. Pats hold RBs to under 90 yards. Pats the # scoring D holding oponents. Did everyone forget Pitt couldn't score a TD last week against KC? Granted KC is a formidable D but not as stout against the run. Yet some of you see Pitt putting up 30+? I don't see it. Big Ben is a statue. Hard as heck to get down but a statue none the less. NE when they want will get pressure on him. They will focus on Bell and AB.
Any given Sunday but I don't see it this Sunday the way many of you are predicting.

 

[Vyle203]

I like the Steelers in an upset after the way TB played last week.

Go quick and look up Brady's stats the week after an "off" week...

 

[NEhomer]

Can't say I'm not concernd about the flu reports for both teams. That can change shit drastically.

 

[klbynes500]

Villanueva, LG, Pouncey, DeCastro and Gilbert.

Heyward, and that's it. Damn!

 

[klbynes500]

I've been reading so many predictions that I'm stunned. So many prognosticaters and experts are predicting that the Steelers will score in the mid 30s to low 40s and beat the Patriots. Almost to a person they have a minor caveat.............Ben Rothlesberger must play a perfect or faultless game. Yet not one ever mentions the fact that the Patriots have been held to less than 22 points only twice this season. Against Buffalo in game four with their 3rd string quarterback playing the entire game with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. The second game in Denver which a superior Denver defense held them to 16 points and still lost the game. The Patriots offense has averaged 34 points this entire season.

The other thing that not one expert has talked about is that the Patriots defense only gives up 15.6 points per game. Why would any of them be predicting that the Steelers would be scoring in excess of 35 points? Do they truly believe that the Patriots defense will give up 3 more touchdowns than they have normally given up all season?

I wouldn't be shocked if Pittsburgh scored it's average of 24 points per game, but I don't believe that the Steelers can stop the Patriots from scoring 30.

 

[klbynes500]

Chung, McCarty and Butler. Mayo. That pretty good defensive line.

And, yes, fuckin', Patricia.

Do you want me to type about the offense and Belichek?

 

[NEPatsfan]

I like the Steelers as well. It is very hard to go on the road in NE and win but the 3 B's have the ability to reek havoc on that Pats D and Harrison is Brady bound.
They're bringing pressure on Tawmy for 60 mins straight.
I don't discount NE's abilities but Both starting TE's are out, so stop the run and Edelman and game over. Of course they have to stop them though.

Do you even follow football? Bennett is listed as a go for the game, and the Patriots reported full participation by the entire 53 man roster.

 

[jarntt]

Go quick and look up Brady's stats the week after an "off" week...

I'm not sure about after one week off, but I know after 4 weeks off he was pretty awesome