Pitt

[CreepCreep2014]

IMO the two best teams from the AFC will be playing on Sunday. Both teams are better than they were when they met earlier in the season.

NE has to stop Bell. Not sure if there has ever been a "spy" on a RB, but maybe BB can pull something off. If you can get Bell behind the LOS (dude literally walks behind his OL before hitting the hole) we can get him for a loss and Ben will have to throw in long distance situations. I have never seen a RB; in my time, with the patience Bell has, and his numbers are off the charts since week 10 (I think over 1,000 yards rushing). Butler on Brown 1on1 and hope Butler can do another good job. Brown will get his, but you can't let him beat you. If we can get these guys 1on1 on the outside, it will be needed to fill the holes to stop Bell. BB takes away the other teams best option and in this case, I think it's Bell. NE also has to be aware of Jesse James, he could be a drive extender if we don't account for him.

Offense was sluggish, but I don't think that will happen this week. Most of the pressure came over the C/G. Dupree worries me a lot with his speed on the edge, or if they send him up the middle like Houston did with Clowney/Mercilus, it could be another long night for Brady. Might have to dress 5 WR this week. Floyd's big body could help out.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

IMO the two best teams from the AFC will be playing on Sunday. Both teams are better than they were when they met earlier in the season.

NE has to stop Bell. Not sure if there has ever been a "spy" on a RB, but maybe BB can pull something off. If you can get Bell behind the LOS (dude literally walks behind his OL before hitting the hole) we can get him for a loss and Ben will have to throw in long distance situations. I have never seen a RB; in my time, with the patience Bell has, and his numbers are off the charts since week 10 (I think over 1,000 yards rushing). Butler on Brown 1on1 and hope Butler can do another good job. Brown will get his, but you can't let him beat you. If we can get these guys 1on1 on the outside, it will be needed to fill the holes to stop Bell. BB takes away the other teams best option and in this case, I think it's Bell. NE also has to be aware of Jesse James, he could be a drive extender if we don't account for him.

Offense was sluggish, but I don't think that will happen this week. Most of the pressure came over the C/G. Dupree worries me a lot with his speed on the edge, or if they send him up the middle like Houston did with Clowney/Mercilus, it could be another long night for Brady. Might have to dress 5 WR this week. Floyd's big body could help out.

Agreed # 1 priority is taking Bell away. Need to stack and collapse the LOS.
Butler on AB with a safety over the top just in case.
Let Jesse James beat them if Pittsburgh wants to stack their playoff life on him?

NE's offense will be fine. The will control TOP and score, score, score against that D. That D has improved over the last half of the season but they weren't facing a NE style offense.

BB owns Tomlinson. TB owns Big Ben. Games at the razor. NE wins but they will need to take care of the ball. It will be a fight but NE prevails.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Agreed # 1 priority is taking Bell away. Need to stack and collapse the LOS.
Butler on AB with a safety over the top just in case.
Let Jesse James beat them if Pittsburgh wants to stack their playoff life on him?

NE's offense will be fine. The will control TOP and score, score, score against that D. That D has improved over the last half of the season but they weren't facing a NE style offense.

BB owns Tomlinson. TB owns Big Ben. Games at the razor. NE wins but they will need to take care of the ball. It will be a fight but NE prevails.

Didn't say beat, extend the drive. Extending the drive gives Brown or Bell a chance to beat you.

 

[ohiopatsfan]

The Steelers have been very strong over the last half of the season and will be a formidable opponent. Hope Blount is over his illness and TB plays a better all around game. The Houston defensive line exploited a weakness right up the middle of the Pats' offensive line. Andrews, although a very solid center, is a bit underweight and can be outmanned by bull rushers who outweigh him by 30 pounds or more. I felt less shaky when Stork was at center, although he was a brawler and had a tendency to pick up penalties at the worst possible times. I hope BB addresses this in the off season.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Didn't say beat, extend the drive. Extending the drive gives Brown or Bell a chance to beat you.

No I was just saying NE focuses on Lev and AB. If JJ is the one that beats them so be it. I wouldn't stake my claim on JJ being the deciding factor in a win over NE is all.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

The Steelers have been very strong over the last half of the season and will be a formidable opponent. Hope Blount is over his illness and TB plays a better all around game. The Houston defensive line exploited a weakness right up the middle of the Pats' offensive line. Andrews, although a very solid center, is a bit underweight and can be outmanned by bull rushers who outweigh him by 30 pounds or more. I felt less shaky when Stork was at center, although he was a brawler and had a tendency to pick up penalties at the worst possible times. I hope BB addresses this in the off season.

Andrews was getting beat on speed. He'll do fine against the Pitt rush.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

The Steelers have been very strong over the last half of the season and will be a formidable opponent. Hope Blount is over his illness and TB plays a better all around game. The Houston defensive line exploited a weakness right up the middle of the Pats' offensive line. Andrews, although a very solid center, is a bit underweight and can be outmanned by bull rushers who outweigh him by 30 pounds or more. I felt less shaky when Stork was at center, although he was a brawler and had a tendency to pick up penalties at the worst possible times. I hope BB addresses this in the off season.

Ya know...I was thinking about Andrews after the game and said out loud to my buddy that C might need to be addressed in the off season. Andrews has been solid, but now it was a weakness. No team (give credit to Romeo) has blitz and rushed NE up the middle like Houston did. They used Clowney/Mercilus to do it. I am not sure Pitt DE have the speed (Tuitt) to do that, they do in Dupree, but I think Andrews can pick him up. I thought Andrews looked over matched for first time. I agree on Stork, he was an idiot, but he was strong AF and could of prob handled that better. I am sure NE is aware of that now and will adjust for it, maybe more pulling. I thought Solder and Cannon played great. I don't think we will have as much as an issue on the OL this week, but Harrison is always a problem.

 

[Old Lion]

Double Brown and run blitz.

 

[BigKen]

Bell has the patience of a nun. He will actually stop and wait for a hole or a crease to open then can turn on the jets. He also strong enough to always pull forward for that extra yard. Like I've taught my defensive players for over 40 years......no one can run if you wrap up their ankles. Patriots must tackle low and hard and take his feet out from under him.

Antonio Brown will get his catches, but you have to make sure that most of them are catches that your willing to give up. Butler 1 on 1 with McCourtey over the top is the perfect defense for the Patriots. When Brown makes a catch, you make him pay and not let him lay down.

The sneaky guy is Eli Rogers. Fast and great hands. Ryan has to glue himself to Eli's ass and not allow him any separation. If he has a tight defender, he has a problem.

I'd also consider blitzing Ryan or Chung early and take Ben out of his comfort zone.

The Steelers have equal concerns. Two rookie cornerbacks starting. Mitchell, Hogan and Floyd all have the experience to give them problems. 5 WR spread may be the best way to keep Brady on his feet and not take the unnecessary hits.