Game #14 Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers 12/17.2017

[BigKen]

As it is every year, a critical game against the team they absolutely must beat to have home field advantage through the playoffs.

The Patriots cannot go into this game using special team players and guys out of position if they expect to win.

I expect to see a pumped up Steelers team and hopefully a re-focused Patriots team.

Game time is 4:25 PM EST

 

[YankeeRebel]

The Pats have got to come out swinging, they have to score early and often if they could go up by 10 or 14 early that will quite the crowd. The Steelers have a top 10 defense so it will be a battle, I hate to say it but I can't see them pulling this one out.

 

[BigKen]

I'm still trying to figure out how the Steelers defensive is so highly rated. They gave upm 38 to the Ravens and Joe Flacco and needed a FG with 42 seconds to pull out the win. In their last three games, the Steelers have given up 28 to the Packers, 20 to the Bengals and 38 to the Ravens.

I think this games depends on whether or not Brady is nursing an injured throwing arm. If he is, then the Pats will have to run the ball more and better than they did in Miami and throw short passes. If not, then they'll have to mix the run and set up the pass with it and throw no longer than 20 yards.

The Steelers play a deep safety zone that opens up the middle. Historically that has allowed crossing routes by Edelman, Amendola and Gronk. Edelman isn't around for those 8,9, 10 yard sideline turnouts and Maqlcom Mitchell isn't here for the 12,13,14 yard sideline turnouts so the Pats will have to utilize who they have and do what works.

If I'm Belichick and Brady ignores Dorsett and/or Britt or anyone else, I sit his ass on the bench and sub Hoyer. I calmly walk over and quietly say, you have 4 or 5 WRs on the field for every play. Use them all or watch the game from here.

 

[YankeeRebel]

I'm still trying to figure out how the Steelers defensive is so highly rated. They gave upm 38 to the Ravens and Joe Flacco and needed a FG with 42 seconds to pull out the win. In their last three games, the Steelers have given up 28 to the Packers, 20 to the Bengals and 38 to the Ravens.

I think this games depends on whether or not Brady is nursing an injured throwing arm. If he is, then the Pats will have to run the ball more and better than they did in Miami and throw short passes. If not, then they'll have to mix the run and set up the pass with it and throw no longer than 20 yards.

The Steelers play a deep safety zone that opens up the middle. Historically that has allowed crossing routes by Edelman, Amendola and Gronk. Edelman isn't around for those 8,9, 10 yard sideline turnouts and Maqlcom Mitchell isn't here for the 12,13,14 yard sideline turnouts so the Pats will have to utilize who they have and do what works.

If I'm Belichick and Brady ignores Dorsett and/or Britt or anyone else, I sit his ass on the bench and sub Hoyer. I calmly walk over and quietly say, you have 4 or 5 WRs on the field for every play. Use them all or watch the game from here.

I can't wrap my gourd around that either. The only thing that makes any sense to me is that they played inferior teams.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I can't wrap my gourd around that either. The only thing that makes any sense to me is that they played inferior teams.

With help from the stripes.

 

[Yo Tee]

With help from the stripes.

Yeah, because the Patriots haven't had help from the stripes right? Let's not start down this road of the refs helped or what not. Every single team gets help from the refs from time to time. Carolina got help from the refs and it led to them beating Minnesota. It's happens. Every team in the league gets at least 2-3 calls a game and every team in the league also misses about the same amount. It's the nature of the game.

This game is between the best of the best in the AFC. Pats NEED this win and the Steelers NEED this win also. It will be a good game and hopefully it's close. I honestly can't predict who's gonna win this game. I know who I WANT to win, but I'm not that confident that will happen.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Yeah, because the Patriots haven't had help from the stripes right? Let's not start down this road of the refs helped or what not. Every single team gets help from the refs from time to time. Carolina got help from the refs and it led to them beating Minnesota. It's happens. Every team in the league gets at least 2-3 calls a game and every team in the league also misses about the same amount. It's the nature of the game.

This game is between the best of the best in the AFC. Pats NEED this win and the Steelers NEED this win also. It will be a good game and hopefully it's close. I honestly can't predict who's gonna win this game. I know who I WANT to win, but I'm not that confident that will happen.

Yes.
I hope it not decided, either way, by blatant miss calls, missed calls or obscure rules called that nobody has ever heard of before.

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Cannon to IR, RJF re-signed. Freeny and Reedy released to make room for return of Gronk and addition of Britt.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Cannon to IR, RJF re-signed. Freeny and Reedy released to make room for return of Gronk and addition of Britt.

Ohh losing Cannon is huge.
Maybe Kraft can start a Go Fund Me Page for a Right Tackle

 

[BigKen]

When was a sprained ankle a move to the IR 5 weeks after it happened?? Something doesn't smell right. When it happened, they were saying 2-4 weeks at the very worst. Has the injury report for today been released yet> Usually it comes out between 3-4 o'clock.

 

[YankeeRebel]

When was a sprained ankle a move to the IR 5 weeks after it happened?? Something doesn't smell right. When it happened, they were saying 2-4 weeks at the very worst. Has the injury report for today been released yet> Usually it comes out between 3-4 o'clock.

I am no doctor but I have heard multiple cases of doctors stating sprains can take longer to heal then breaks in some instances.

 

[BigKen]

Week 15 Injury Report for Patriots & Steelers

Did Not Participate
Patriots: DT Alan Branch (knee)

Steelers: WR Martavis Bryant (non-injury), TE Vance McDonald (shoulder), CB Coty Sensabaugh (shoulder), DL Stephon Tuitt (illness)

Branch suffered an injury against the Miami Dolphins that forced him from the game and led to the Patriots signing DL Ricky Jean-Francois. Hopefully Branch’s injury is not a long term problem, but Francois did a good job in his previous stint with the Patriots.

Limited Participation
Patriots: CB Malcolm Butler (ankle), DL Trey Flowers (rib), CB Stephon Gilmore (ankle), LB David Harris (ankle), WR Chris Hogan (shoulder), DB Brandon King (hamstring), DL Eric Lee (ankle), WR Matthew Slater (hamstring), LB Kyle Van Noy (calf), OT LaAdrian Waddle (ankle), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (foot)

Steelers: CB Joe Haden (fibula), LB Tyler Matakevich (shoulder)

New England has eleven players limited, but it’s not all bad. Marquis Flowers, Trevor Reilly, Dion Lewis, and Mike Gillislee are no longer on the report, although David Harris and Eric Lee are new additions. Van Noy returned to practice, while Wise returned on Friday (and was clearly limited against the Dolphins). Hopefully all these players will inch closer to full health as the Patriots try to manage injuries at this stage of the season.

Haden and Matakevich did not practice last week for the Steelers so they could be closing in on a return, too.

Full Participation
Patriots: QB Tom Brady (Achilles), WR Brandin Cooks (hand)

Steelers: N/A

 

[CreepCreep2014]

So Cannon to IR...LOL....

Hope Waddle can play. I believe he lined up as an extra TE during Mia game. Maybe that was all BB needed to see.

Speaking of officials...This game was assigned the worse officiating crew in the NFL!!. They have called the most penalties in the league. Expect a choppy, no flow type of game.

 

[BigKen]

Speaking of officials...This game was assigned the worse officiating crew in the NFL!!. They have called the most penalties in the league. Expect a choppy, no flow type of game.

Corrente's crew calls penalties more than any other crew. Why?? Because they do their job and don't let anyone get away with anything. They call holding because someone held. They call illegal contact because a defender decided to whack a WR about 12 yards downfield. They don't give a "star" an advantage over a less stellar player. After the incidents over the past few weeks, they may call even moire in this game if things appear to be getting a bit chippy. I don't have a problem with this crew.

It's very simple, as I've taught my kids throughout my coaching tenure......."Penalties get called when an official sees something wrong or illegal. If you don't want to have penalties called on you, play the game correctly. If you do something stupid, you get called out for doing something stupid."

"Do you all understand what I've just said? If you don't, please raise your hand. Don't be stupid and not raise your hand if you don't understand!"

I also held a parents meeting before the season and said the same thing to them and added one other thing. Don't be the asshole who gives my team a bad name or your kid will be playing foosball with himself.

 

[Southieinnc]

When was a sprained ankle a move to the IR 5 weeks after it happened?? Something doesn't smell right. When it happened, they were saying 2-4 weeks at the very worst. Has the injury report for today been released yet> Usually it comes out between 3-4 o'clock.

"It usually takes six weeks or more to return to play, but can sometimes take even longer. One good indication that you are ready to go back to sports is if you can hop on the foot 15 times. This hopping test is acceptable if there is no obvious widening between the tibia and the fibula on X-rays. If there is widening, which is called diastasis, or if there is a broken bone, surgery is often needed."

"Cannon missed next five games and following the announcement of his IR designation on Wednesday Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported that he has a severe high ankle sprain that wasn't improving and will likely need surgery. Howe notes that Cannon had a foot injury too. "

 

[BigKen]

Pittsburgh weather today and early evening will be partly cloudy with a high of 41 and a low of 34. Winds are EME at 5-15 MPH. Appears that it will be a decent afternoon for foot.

 

[BigKen]

That should be ENE (East Northeast) not EME (Eat my eggos)

 

[Psych-Ward]

Parts fans.......

Great day for some football!!!!
Good luck to y'all and hope both teams injuries are at a minimum!!!!

Even you @NEPatsfan

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Parts fans.......

Great day for some football!!!!
Good luck to y'all and hope both teams injuries are at a minimum!!!!

Even you @NEPatsfan

Good luck. Also hoping for a good game. I can't stomach another NE clunker. Now if the Steelers want to throw up a clunker I won't complain

 

[Southieinnc]

Parts fans.......

Great day for some football!!!!
Good luck to y'all and hope both teams injuries are at a minimum!!!!

Even you @NEPatsfan

Parts is parts!