Official AFC Championship Thread: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots

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CChaos

Golden Member
Mar 4, 2003
1,586
0
0
Originally posted by: JDub02
Let's see here ... minus 2 mistakes on Saturday and the Steelers walk out 17-3 winners. Tackle Santana Moss, no 80+ yd punt return for TD. Don't throw the pick, no 80+ yd int. return for TD.

The Steelers D let up 3 points to the Jets offense (Curtis Martin >> Corey Dillon, anyone?)

All the Steelers need to win is for Ben to have a solid MISTAKE FREE game. That can be tough for a rookie, though.

You have to be joking right? Minus one missed kick and the Steelers are on the couch next week.

 

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
Originally posted by: CChaos
Originally posted by: JDub02
Let's see here ... minus 2 mistakes on Saturday and the Steelers walk out 17-3 winners. Tackle Santana Moss, no 80+ yd punt return for TD. Don't throw the pick, no 80+ yd int. return for TD.

The Steelers D let up 3 points to the Jets offense (Curtis Martin >> Corey Dillon, anyone?)

All the Steelers need to win is for Ben to have a solid MISTAKE FREE game. That can be tough for a rookie, though.

You have to be joking right? Minus one missed kick and the Steelers are on the couch next week.

Ok what is the difference then?

Steelers are a better team. If the jets offense could get SOMETHING done, they wouldn't have needed the kick to win.

Bottom line, Pittsburgh moves on.
 

NL5

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
3,286
12
81
Originally posted by: CChaos
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
The Steelers are going to be a much tougher opponent for the Pats than the Colts due to their double headed running game.

Actually New England has been much better against the run than the pass this year, and even with a beat up secondary they shut down arugably the best passing offense in the league. If they can handle Ben as well as they did Peyton (which should be an easier task), then Pittsburgh becomes one dimensional and that's trouble.

:D
 

Ferocious

Diamond Member
Feb 16, 2000
4,584
2
71
Yeah I can't stand when people say the Steelers got lucky. They definately escaped and the Jets should have won....but the Jets didn't deserve to win.

The Jets had a long punt return for TD and long interception for TD.

The "odds" for plays like those two are far less than missing a 45+/- yard FG....which are missed nearly 30% of the time.

The reality is the Jets were fortunate to be close enough for a FG to even matter.

Roth redeemed himself with the last 72 yard drive in OT to win the game.

Move on folks.

If Roth has a good game, the Steelers win. If he has a mediocre game, the outcome will depend on how well the Steel Curtain does (and therefore the Pat's offense). If he has another bad overall game, the Steelers lose.

 

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Yeah I can't stand when people say the Steelers got lucky. They definately escaped and the Jets should have won....but the Jets didn't deserve to win.

The Jets had a long punt return for TD and long interception for TD.

The "odds" for plays like those two are far less than missing a 45+/- yard FG....which are missed nearly 30% of the time.

The reality is the Jets were fortunate to be close enough for a FG to even matter.

Roth redeemed himself with the last 72 yard drive in OT to win the game.

Move on folks.

If Roth has a good game, the Steelers win. If he has a mediocre game, the outcome will depend on how well the Steel Curtain does (and therefore the Pat's offense). If he has another bad overall game, the Steelers lose.

Good post.

It really does come down to Ben, if he plays well i think we win..

He just needs to play mistake free.

 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Originally posted by: aswedc
Latest forecast update:

Pittsburgh, PA

Saturday...Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs in the mid 20s.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows 15 to 20. Highs in the mid 20s.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows 15 to 20. Highs in the mid 20s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Highs around 30.

*thats* the way footballs meant to be played. Now all we ned to do is get rid of helmets and pads
 

gflores

Senior member
Jul 10, 2003
999
0
0
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: aswedc
Latest forecast update:

Pittsburgh, PA

Saturday...Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs in the mid 20s.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows 15 to 20. Highs in the mid 20s.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows 15 to 20. Highs in the mid 20s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Highs around 30.

*thats* the way footballs meant to be played. Now all we ned to do is get rid of helmets and pads

That's rugby.
 

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
Now I like Sean Salsbury (sp) from ESPN. I think he is typically pretty good to listen to all the way around. However, since he bet on the Colts and they lost. He's back on the NE bandwagon. Now I know the Pats should be favored this week, but he is in love now. "I'll NEVER pick against them again"

They compared Steelers and PAts.

QB - He went with Brady which is a no brainer.

RB - Steelers ( close, but with Bettis and Duce ya gotta lean )

Defense - NE??

I know they just beat Indy pretty bad. But the Pittsburgh D was ranked 1st overall, and shut a good Jets team to 3 points twice. Along with an undefeated Eagles team.


Get off their nuts Sean.

 

goog

Golden Member
Sep 8, 2000
1,076
0
0
Originally posted by: bjc112
Now I like Sean Salsbury (sp) from ESPN. I think he is typically pretty good to listen to all the way around. However, since he bet on the Colts and they lost. He's back on the NE bandwagon. Now I know the Pats should be favored this week, but he is in love now. "I'll NEVER pick against them again"

They compared Steelers and PAts.

QB - He went with Brady which is a no brainer.

RB - Steelers ( close, but with Bettis and Duce ya gotta lean )

Defense - NE??

I know they just beat Indy pretty bad. But the Pittsburgh D was ranked 1st overall, and shut a good Jets team to 3 points twice. Along with an undefeated Eagles team.


Get off their nuts Sean.

Patriots D was #2 in points allowed, not counting last week which could potenially make them a #1 pick. Coaching and QB (both 7-0 with NE in the playoffs with lots of wintery weather) no brainer favor NE, I'd give the edge running to Pitt. and homefield. As lots have said already if Ben doesn't suck Steelers have a chance. They shouldn't have beat the Jets all this crap about take away the big plays, well duh that's what loses games. I have a feeling the Steelers will be better this week and make a game of it.
 

hysperion

Senior member
May 12, 2004
837
0
0
I don't care for either team but Bill Cowher's steelers have a long history of choking in the playoff's....maybe they got it out of their system against the Jets where they probably should have lost. NE on the other hand is one of the best coached teams in the league and I find it highly unlikely Pittsburgh makes a game of it much less wins. Yes Pitts may have beat NE in the regular season but the regular season and the playoffs are different worlds. Big Ben showed what a rookie he was last week, he has been overhyped all year playing off the backs of his 2 excellent running backs and excellent line. For a rookie he's done well but he's still a rookie. My opinion:

Pats: 24
Steelers 13

Originally posted by: goog
Originally posted by: bjc112
Now I like Sean Salsbury (sp) from ESPN. I think he is typically pretty good to listen to all the way around. However, since he bet on the Colts and they lost. He's back on the NE bandwagon. Now I know the Pats should be favored this week, but he is in love now. "I'll NEVER pick against them again"

They compared Steelers and PAts.

QB - He went with Brady which is a no brainer.

RB - Steelers ( close, but with Bettis and Duce ya gotta lean )

Defense - NE??

I know they just beat Indy pretty bad. But the Pittsburgh D was ranked 1st overall, and shut a good Jets team to 3 points twice. Along with an undefeated Eagles team.


Get off their nuts Sean.

Patriots D was #2 in points allowed, not counting last week which could potenially make them a #1 pick. Coaching and QB (both 7-0 with NE in the playoffs with lots of wintery weather) no brainer favor NE, I'd give the edge running to Pitt. and homefield. As lots have said already if Ben doesn't suck Steelers have a chance. They shouldn't have beat the Jets all this crap about take away the big plays, well duh that's what loses games. I have a feeling the Steelers will be better this week and make a game of it.

 

goog

Golden Member
Sep 8, 2000
1,076
0
0
Football fans and repoters are a fickle bunch. Steelers escape with a close win and suddenly at 16-1 they are not being picked to win. Couple that with an impressive game by the Pats and what a difference a week makes. I'll admit to being the same, on another forum after the Jets game I asked if the Steelers were the worst 16-1 team ever. In a matter of days that question will be answered.
 

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
Originally posted by: goog
Originally posted by: bjc112
Now I like Sean Salsbury (sp) from ESPN. I think he is typically pretty good to listen to all the way around. However, since he bet on the Colts and they lost. He's back on the NE bandwagon. Now I know the Pats should be favored this week, but he is in love now. "I'll NEVER pick against them again"

They compared Steelers and PAts.

QB - He went with Brady which is a no brainer.

RB - Steelers ( close, but with Bettis and Duce ya gotta lean )

Defense - NE??

I know they just beat Indy pretty bad. But the Pittsburgh D was ranked 1st overall, and shut a good Jets team to 3 points twice. Along with an undefeated Eagles team.


Get off their nuts Sean.

Patriots D was #2 in points allowed, not counting last week which could potenially make them a #1 pick. Coaching and QB (both 7-0 with NE in the playoffs with lots of wintery weather) no brainer favor NE, I'd give the edge running to Pitt. and homefield. As lots have said already if Ben doesn't suck Steelers have a chance. They shouldn't have beat the Jets all this crap about take away the big plays, well duh that's what loses games. I have a feeling the Steelers will be better this week and make a game of it.


Pats are number 2....

BEHIND PITTSBURGH.

I don't mind NE being the favorite, but come on..

 

goog

Golden Member
Sep 8, 2000
1,076
0
0
So the comparison is #1 (before holding Jets 17th in points scored to 3 points) vs #2 (before holding Colts #1 offence to 3 points). While I still pick the Steelers defence there isn't a great leap to pick the Pats D.

The team that makes the least mistakes should win, all things considered that would mean the Pats are going back to the Superbowl. Though I have this nagging feeling that the Steelers aren't going to screw up again on Sunday (they won't get away with big mistakes this time).


 

bunnyfubbles

Lifer
Sep 3, 2001
12,248
3
0
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
The Steelers are going to be a much tougher opponent for the Pats than the Colts due to their double headed running game.

there's some nasty stingers in there too with the stuff they can do with Haynes, Ward and Randle El.
 

gflores

Senior member
Jul 10, 2003
999
0
0
Maybe someone could enlighten me as to why people think the Steelers running game is better than the Pats. The Pats had ~1900 yards rushing from Dillon and Faulk, while the Steelers had ~1780 yards from Bettis and Duce. I would think it'd be a tie at best.
 

Sandor

Senior member
Jan 17, 2001
707
0
0
I can't wait! It should be a great smath-mouth football game. A big difference for the Pats from last week will be the receivers- the Steelers receivers actually block (and well). Both teams are very physical and execute on both sides very well- like a few people mentioned, it will come down to who makes more mistakes. Or injuries. The Pats don't have quite the depth they once did- when the Steelers knocked Brady out last AFC Championship, the Pats brought in Bledsoe (their current backup is 8/19, 88 yards for his career!).

And just to mention, the Pats-Steelers game earlier this season doesn't mean much- the only way it would matter is if the Pats turned it over 2-3 times are were down 21 points in the first quarter again (and even with Dillon, at that point, it probably wouldn't matter). Also, Troy Brown, Randall Gay, and Asante Samuel are much better at CB now then they were the first time around (not the cream of the crop, but better nonetheless). It was that game that they first lost Law, and were also without Samuel and I think Wilson (FS) as well.

The Pats want revenge and the Steelers will be playing the "underdog at home" card- it should be great!
 

Led Zeppelin

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2002
3,555
0
71
Originally posted by: gflores
Maybe someone could enlighten me as to why people think the Steelers running game is better than the Pats. The Pats had ~1900 yards rushing from Dillon and Faulk, while the Steelers had ~1780 yards from Bettis and Duce. I would think it'd be a tie at best.


Because "The Bus" is always being mentioned on sports talk shows, etc. Gets a lot of press. While Dillon and Faulk aren't the media pretty boys. It's basically people not knowing facts, only media hype.
 

Kev

Lifer
Dec 17, 2001
16,367
4
81
Originally posted by: bjc112
Originally posted by: goog
Originally posted by: bjc112
Now I like Sean Salsbury (sp) from ESPN. I think he is typically pretty good to listen to all the way around. However, since he bet on the Colts and they lost. He's back on the NE bandwagon. Now I know the Pats should be favored this week, but he is in love now. "I'll NEVER pick against them again"

They compared Steelers and PAts.

QB - He went with Brady which is a no brainer.

RB - Steelers ( close, but with Bettis and Duce ya gotta lean )

Defense - NE??

I know they just beat Indy pretty bad. But the Pittsburgh D was ranked 1st overall, and shut a good Jets team to 3 points twice. Along with an undefeated Eagles team.


Get off their nuts Sean.

Patriots D was #2 in points allowed, not counting last week which could potenially make them a #1 pick. Coaching and QB (both 7-0 with NE in the playoffs with lots of wintery weather) no brainer favor NE, I'd give the edge running to Pitt. and homefield. As lots have said already if Ben doesn't suck Steelers have a chance. They shouldn't have beat the Jets all this crap about take away the big plays, well duh that's what loses games. I have a feeling the Steelers will be better this week and make a game of it.


Pats are number 2....

BEHIND PITTSBURGH.

I don't mind NE being the favorite, but come on..

... and the only reason either of them got that high are because the Eagles benched their starters for the last 2 games; those numbers skewed their true #1 ranking. :D
 

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
Originally posted by: Kev
Originally posted by: bjc112
Originally posted by: goog
Originally posted by: bjc112
Now I like Sean Salsbury (sp) from ESPN. I think he is typically pretty good to listen to all the way around. However, since he bet on the Colts and they lost. He's back on the NE bandwagon. Now I know the Pats should be favored this week, but he is in love now. "I'll NEVER pick against them again"

They compared Steelers and PAts.

QB - He went with Brady which is a no brainer.

RB - Steelers ( close, but with Bettis and Duce ya gotta lean )

Defense - NE??

I know they just beat Indy pretty bad. But the Pittsburgh D was ranked 1st overall, and shut a good Jets team to 3 points twice. Along with an undefeated Eagles team.


Get off their nuts Sean.

Patriots D was #2 in points allowed, not counting last week which could potenially make them a #1 pick. Coaching and QB (both 7-0 with NE in the playoffs with lots of wintery weather) no brainer favor NE, I'd give the edge running to Pitt. and homefield. As lots have said already if Ben doesn't suck Steelers have a chance. They shouldn't have beat the Jets all this crap about take away the big plays, well duh that's what loses games. I have a feeling the Steelers will be better this week and make a game of it.


Pats are number 2....

BEHIND PITTSBURGH.

I don't mind NE being the favorite, but come on..

... and the only reason either of them got that high are because the Eagles benched their starters for the last 2 games; those numbers skewed their true #1 ranking. :D


:D

Steelers gained it by holding the Eagles to 3 points.