Why not? We run a 3-4, pressure the QB about the same, and stop the run even better. My confidence has nothing to do with a lack of respect for what the Patriots have accomplished over the past 4 seasons. It's purely X & O's. Cowher is also 7-3 vs. Belichick (as a head coach) lifetime. AND.... we don't have that damn head case Kordell Stewart or that moron Troy Edwards to run out of bounds and give you guys a second chance to return a punt for a TD. If the Pats win, they were better on that day. I'm pretty sure they won't be better on Sunday though.
The other thing we all forget about last game is not that dillon was out...not that Law and Samuel went down....I think more importantly was both our starting tackles were hurt going into the game and couldn't finish forcing Brandin Gorin who has played solid now but was forced into action at LT against a confusing scheme and Stephen Neal a kid who didn't even play college ball was moved from gaurd to RT which is just ridiculous when trying to slow down a confusing pass rush....also the steelers had a bye week before they played us and we were on a short week...all in all the conditiions we were in duing that game regardless of dillon were not something you could prepare for which is why I think this game will be nothing like the last. Another person we forget about that was MIA as well is Deion Branch but even he doesn't matter as much as what happened to our O-line. Also Dillon is a very good back at picking up the blitz which will hopefully keep porter from having a big game again and help give brady the time he needs to make plays in the passing game...and I'm sorry unless the winds are going absolutly crazy down there he'll be able to throw the ball cus he has proven he can in any weather. My prediction is the pats win by 3 points....something like 17-14 13-10 and the kick by Vinateri is the longest made in that endzone Brien kept missing from...what would it have to be a 49 yarder?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steelerfan_2004)</div><div class='quotemain'>Cowher is also 7-3 vs. Belichick (as a head coach) lifetime. </div> Oh come on now! If ur gonna use Bill's days at Cleveland, as part of ur argument than I give up. Make no mistake the Steelers have had a GREAT season. Not many people even thought they'd make the playoffs, let alone host the AFC title game. We respect what Cowher has done with this team. The defense is solid. The WRs present a huge problem for any team. The OL has made Bettis & Staley look like world beaters. However, as fun as it has been to watch Big Ben break out in his rookie season he is still just a rookie. He showed that last week, he still has a ways to go before he can lead a team to victory. The Patriots D will do whatever it takes to stop Bettis &/or Staley from having a big day. I assume the same can be said for Pitt's D. Which is why, IMO it will come down to the QBs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bakes781)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steelerfan_2004)</div><div class='quotemain'>Cowher is also 7-3 vs. Belichick (as a head coach) lifetime. </div> Oh come on now! If ur gonna use Bill's days at Cleveland, as part of ur argument than I give up. Make no mistake the Steelers have had a GREAT season. Not many people even thought they'd make the playoffs, let alone host the AFC title game. We respect what Cowher has done with this team. The defense is solid. The WRs present a huge problem for any team. The OL has made Bettis & Staley look like world beaters. However, as fun as it has been to watch Big Ben break out in his rookie season he is still just a rookie. He showed that last week, he still has a ways to go before he can lead a team to victory. The Patriots D will do whatever it takes to stop Bettis &/or Staley from having a big day. I assume the same can be said for Pitt's D. Which is why, IMO it will come down to the QBs.</div> Sorry bakes but if there is one thing Ben can do is lead a team to victory....he won't dominate a game and get the win by sheer will but he proved last week no matter how many mistakes he made he still made the key throws to get them in field goal range for the win...its just he can't get away with making mistakes like that against the pats because we will make him pay.
Well it's Friday Morning. 2 more days to the big game. Before we get any closer, I would like to say that I've enjoyed the discussion leading up to the game. Pats, Bakes, and even our new addition, Bruschifan, you guys have been class acts. At least the conversation hasn't turned into a bunch of insults and worthless jargon. I thank you guys for that. Now on to the game.... Key matchups: 1. Corey Dillon vs. Steelers run defense - This is one of the simplest, yet biggest matchups of the day. I would say if the Steelers can hold Dillon around or under 70 yards, it will really limit what the Pats can do. They've been doing it all season... Edge - Steelers 2. Jerome Bettis / Duce Staley vs. Patriots run defense - This is the other side of the ball and the key to the Patriots winning the game. If the Steelers can't control the line of scrimmage and open up some holes to run, it could be a long day. The Pats finished 5th against the run, while the Steelers finished 2nd behind Atlanta in run offense. But the Steelers were truly the better running team facing stiffer defenses and not having the services of Mike Vick padding the rushing stats. The Steelers should have moderate success running and won't abandon the run easily. Edge - Steelers 3. Bill Cowher vs. Bill Belichick - This is a tough one. Cowher has 13 seasons of experience as a head coach, 8 division championships and has been in the Conference Championship 4 times before. Every game was a good one, but the Steelers fell short 3 times. Belichick has done some amazing things as the Patriots coach winning a ton of playoff games and always finding ways to counter what his opponent will do. Cowher is 7-3 lifetime against the "Mastermind". Edge - Even 4. Tom Brady vs. Steelers Defense - Brady has won so many tough games, that he is also considered a "Mastermind" at the Quarterback position. But he can't do it alone. His success vs. the Steelers has been limited. He's got to avoid the heavy blitzing, deal with the elements, and not let Polamalu get in his head. That guy is everywhere. Pennington found that out last weekend. I believe this matchup is one of momentum. Just like in the first game, the guy who instills his will first, will most likely win this one. Edge - Even 5. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Patriots Pass Defense - This, in my opinion, is an overhyped matchup. Ben will be expected to manage a good game, but will not be throwing the ball more than 20 times. If he does, the Steelers will be at a big disadvantage. Edge - Patriots
I cannot wait for sun at 6:30 this is goin to be a great game I feel like I am 5 again and sun is christmas morning to bad I cant sneak in my parents room and see what I am gettin.
The Steelers success has been largely due to their OL wearing down opponents. Which is why I believe Bill's game plan will be to throw early & often. If we can get off to a good lead that will force Ben to throw more than Cowher would like & we can punch our ticket to the SB. However, even if we give up an early turnover & fall behind we still have the defense to hold off Bettis/Staley to minimal success. Simply put, if the Steelers wanna force Brady to beat them than I feel confident that he can. If the Pats wanna force Roethlisberger to beat them I feel confident that he can't. Dillon vs Pitt front 7 Dillon will not likely find many holes to run thru. however the Pats have been using Corey as a receiver a great deal lately. I think he'll be involved in several screen plays to open things up in the passing game for Brady. Adv = PITT Bettis/Staley vs Pats front 7 No chance that the Pats will allow Bettis & Co. to get much off the ground. It will be the focus all week in practice. The LBs have a ton of experience & know how to avoid any blocking scheme. Adv = EVEN Brady vs Pitt DBs Again my thinking is the Pats will try to utilize their experience with the short passing game as a way to counter the blitzburg attack. If we can draw the DBs in, this should open things up deep in the 2nd half. Brady has proven he can adjust to whatever the defense throws at him. Adv = PATS Roethlisberger vs Pats DBs The size advantage of Burress is my biggest concern. However the inexperience of Big Ben was exposed last week as he nearly gave the game the game away with a number of poor decisions. Forcing Ben to throw too soon will be the #1 goal of Romeo's defensive scheme. Adv = PATS Special Teams We have THE clutch kicker in all of football. Adv = PATS Coaching Belichick has 2 of the last 3 SBs where as Cowher is 0-3 in his last 3 AFC title games. Adv = PATS
Thank you Pats, nobody ever talks about the O-line injurys in that Pitt game. The way the pats were forced to pass so much that was probably a larger impact than the corey dillon situation. Basically anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.
Runners vs. Pittsburgh run defense 1. Wheatley 11-24 / 0 TD's 2. J. Lewis 24-62 / 2 TD's 3. L. Henry 21-41 / 0 TD's 4. R. Johnson 23-123 / 1 TD 5. L. Suggs 11-30 / 0 TD's 6. E. George 10-28 / 0 TD's 7. K. Faulk 5-4 / 0 TD's 8. B. Westbrook 6-17 / 0 TD's 9. L. Suggs 18-38 / 0 TD's 10. R. Johnson 16-62 / 0 TD's 11. C. Portis 6-17 / 0 TD's 12. F. Taylor 27-76 / 0 TD's 13. C. Martin 24-72 / 0 TD's 14. T. Barber 18-76 / 1 TD 15. J. Lewis 14-26 / 1 TD 16. W. McGahee 18-76 / 2 TD's (Back-ups) Divisional playoff: C. Martin 19-77 / 0 TD's Should be interesting to see if C. Dillon can do what only one other back did all season and rush for 100 yards against the Steelers. J. Lewis, C. Martin, W. McGahee, C. Portis, F. Taylor, and B. Westbrook couldn't do it, what makes Dillon so special? Only Rudi Johnson could do it and that was 3 months ago. Things that make you go hmmmm....
Turnovers... too many to overcome. Great game by the Pats. The Rookie just couldn't get it done. Congrats guys. 3 in 4 years is just a game away. Go get it, and we'll see you next season.
Hopefully this helps Ben, because if he becomes a better QB in the playoffs, this team will be amazing. I fear for the Steelers offseason, especially if Bettis choses to retire (I doubt he will). Lets hope the organization makes some moves to push them over the Pats. BTW, does anyone know how many free agents the Steelers have this year? Just curious to see what they have to work with
All I have to say is what a game....to go into pittsburg and get it done like that was amazing...now its on to superbowl XXXIX baby....I can't get enough of this...
