I have the Steelers-Pats game as a tossup

[JohnKleeb]

So I am admittingly conscious after the Steelers win over the Jets because it was closer than I thought, kudos to the Jets though, they had me scared and cursing them, I also didn't expect that Pats to only allow a field goal to Manning. If the Steelers can limit turnovers or avoid allowing the Pats to make a big play on special teams, plus Big Ben has to have a good game, avoid interceptions, and try to get Bettis 100 yards on the ground, plus the defense has to stand up, and I think it can do it, it only allowed 3 points on saturday. It should be a game for the ages. Either way win or lose, I'll be happy, hell I Read the SI predictions, Steelers were expected to finish in 3rd player with like a 7-9, 8-8 record, making it to the AFC Championship game is good enough, but then again that could because I have some pragmatism in me after not seeing my baseball team, the orioles make the playoffs since I was 10, which was 8 years ago. Go Steelers that said. This game will be close, I think it could be decided by a field goal.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. I'm from da Burgh

And I say watch Bettis work his ass off and Big Ben choke.

[JohnKleeb]

2. I say Bettis will have another 100 yard game

with Staley coming in later. Roethlisberger will not have a big, big passing game, probably anywhere from 150-250 yards in the air I think. He'll do better than he did against the Jets.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

3. He better or they are toast.

I'm pissed at him right now. He's spent a helluva lot of time prancing for the media and worrying about licensing fees and not enough DOING HIS JOB, IMHO. Anyway, my two cents.

[JohnKleeb]

4. He did a good job against the Jets on saturday

and the Jets if I recall were one of the best defenses against the run this season. I dont know how the Pats line up though, and Staley started the Halloween upset, he did good if I recall.

[rkc3]

7. Ben made some stupid decisions on Saturday.

Several times he should have tucked and run instead of dumping the ball off.

Cowher should have slammed Bus and Staley down their throats. The Pats gave up yards against Edgerrin on Sunday and the Steelers have a better offensive line for the run than the Colts do - Cowher needs to exploit this and Troy Brown in the secondary.

I said it in another thread, Ben needs to keep his head clear of his ass and they'll be in Jacksonville in two weeks.

[Dr.Phool]

12. I think he needs to get rid of that glove

I can't see how he can throw good with it.

[MikeG]

14. He drove them 70 yards on 13 Plays in OT.

1-10-PIT13 (12:15) B.Roethlisberger pass to H.Ward to PIT 22 for 9 yards (D.Abraham).
2-1-PIT22 (11:38) D.Staley left guard to PIT 29 for 7 yards (S.Cowart; J.Vilma).
1-10-PIT29 (11:03) D.Staley left tackle to PIT 33 for 4 yards (D.Barrett).
2-6-PIT33 (10:19) B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to H.Ward. Pass overthrown
3-6-PIT33 (10:13) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger pass to H.Ward pushed ob at 50 for 17 yards (R.Tongue).
1-10-50 (9:39) D.Staley left end to 50 for no gain (S.Cowart).
2-10-50 (9:00) B.Roethlisberger pass to H.Ward to NYJ 44 for 6 yards (D.Strait).
3-4-NYJ44 (8:16) (Shotgun) V.Haynes up the middle to NYJ 36 for 8 yards (J.Vilma). On the delay draw
1-10-NYJ36 (7:37) D.Staley up the middle to NYJ 27 for 9 yards (D.Abraham).
2-1-NYJ27 (6:53) D.Staley left guard to NYJ 24 for 3 yards (J.Vilma).
1-10-NYJ24 (6:09) D.Staley right guard to NYJ 19 for 5 yards (R.Tongue).
2-5-NYJ19 (5:25) J.Bettis up the middle to NYJ 17 for 2 yards (J.Ferguson, J.Vilma).
3-3-NYJ17 (4:42) B.Roethlisberger up the middle to NYJ 15 for 2 yards (S.Ellis).
4-1-NYJ15 (4:01) Je.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-C.Gardocki

[JohnKleeb]

15. but but hes overrated, kidding

Hmmm wednesday, I got my classes with my steeler fans teachers. As a friend of mine said, overrated is the most overused word in sports.

[blue neen]

30. They said on tonight's newscast that he didn't wear it for practice today.

"The Glove" is THE topic on all the sportscasters' minds in Pittsburgh this week.

[Peachhead22]

16. huh?

rkc3 said:

"The Pats gave up yards against Edgerrin on Sunday"

They did? 39 yards on 14 carries (2.8 ypc average). And that was with Richard Seymour, the Pats' best defensive lineman, inactive for the game. No word yet on if he'll play against PPittsburgh.

"and the Steelers have a better offensive line for the run than the Colts do"

Agreed, the Steelers do, but the Colts' O-line is no bunch of scrubs in this area. Edge James had 1548 yards rushing this year.


"Cowher needs to exploit this and Troy Brown in the secondary."

Peyton Manning (record setting QB) couldn't exploit Brown. Can Rothlisberger?


http://www.superbowl.com/gamecenter/live/NFL_20050116_IND@NE

[rkc3]

18. I missed on James, but Manning failed to show up on Sunday.

He played like a rookie and his receivers did little to help out - how many balls did they drop? Manning continues to be a no-show in the big games, despite the cast around him.

It will be interesting to see how Brady holds up under the blitzes. Something he didn't see in Foxboro.

[jackster]

20. Manning NEVER shows up

to play the Pats - they've got his number

[LiberalVoice]

5. I doubt he'll get that many yards in the air.

Look for more running by Staley with The Bus starting...

[JohnKleeb]

6. I dont know

I bet he doesnt get 300 but I can see something in that neighborhood. Yeah, I look for that with Staley and the Bus.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

8. I couldn't care less about yards

I'm talking touchdowns and final score. Well, we'll see, gang. I hope they have a better game this week.

[nolabels]

25. Steelers 3 Patriots 0

Hell, a safety on Brady for two could win the game in a shut out. I expect a #1 NFL defense to be overlooked again this weekend too :shrug:

[Ekova]

9. For some reason

I think Pittsburgh will win by 10. Ben knows he played terrible - this may have been the mulligan that us Steeler fans were hoping he'd have before it really counted. They got lucky, but it should be good for the team.

34-24 Steelers.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

10. I like your hopefulness

and I hope Ben does some soul-searching this week. :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

11. Yeah he was disappointed

I read that.

[Ekova]

13. Yeah, he said he was terrible,

he may still have his best game still in him. Should be a great game.

(On Edit: and hello back, fertilizeonarbusto).

[saltpoint]

17. A good call, I think, John.

This will beat the NFC game hands down.

[Lexingtonian]

19. Nobody knows how to peg this game, it seems

People are pinning their hopes on all kinds of stuff that's fairly irrelevant. I don't think all the mental games matter, or all the scheming. This one's about who's simply better and brings it to bear more effectively.

About the Jets game, the two games the Patriots won against them had roughly the same storyline as the Steelers game- kept 'em from scoring when it mattered, but the Jets hung around. I'd worry about the Steelers D getting tired out, though- that's what was the noticeable difference between the two. We're going to see a lot of the Patriots' short passing game- I predict a lot of passes to Dillon/Faulk/Pass. As for what we'll see on he Steelers' end, I think a lot depends on whether Richard Seymour plays- he can force the run attempts to the other side of the line. And the Pats linebackers will be trying to knock the ball loose from Bettis, giving up some yards in return.

So it's trench warfare that decides this one, as I see it.

[MrSlayer]

21. I love Bill Belichick vs. a rookie QB in this game.

Rothlisberger had that deer in the headlights look about him last week and that was only the Jets. I can't see him being comfortable against the best in the biz. Belichick confuses the hell out of great veterans with his schemes so the rookie will really have his work cut out for him. The Steelers have got to run and run and run some more, if they get stuffed they are dead meat. Brady is a stone killer, he makes every throw he has to make and his reads are second to none in the NFL. No guarantees but I lean toward the Pats quite a bit.

[WilliamPitt]

22. Probably a fair assessment

Two strong offenses, two strong defenses, two good quarterbacks, two good running games, two good coaches. It is going to be something to see, anyway.

[JohnKleeb]

24. Thanks

[hijinx87]

23. the steelers are +3 at home.

sounds about right.

the over, fwiw, is 37.

[kick-ass-bob]

26. Take the under!!

What's the weather supposed to be like?

I figure a 17-13 game if it is anything but sunny and "warm" (40's).

Who wins? I dunno - but I expect a lot of running.

[nolabels]

27. Low 20's for the highs that day and...........

probably in the teens at game time, with a slight wind and snow flurries will be basically a night game 6:30 eastern time. Good conditions for a running game and a bitch to catch the ball on either side with the cold darkness.

Patriots shouldn't worry though, the fans will be quiet for field goal attempts,

Posted on Wed, Jan. 19, 2005

It's hard playing catch-up at Heinz

By Nick Cafardo

BOSTON GLOBE
(snip)
Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Chris Redman, whom the Patriots have signed to a one-year deal for next season, said playing at Heinz has its particular problems.

"It's not really the field, but it's really loud there," said Redman. "The fans there know when to quiet down and when they're supposed to make noise, and they do make a lot of noise. The fans are really into it and I think sometimes it just makes it tough on offense."

But according to Kendall, "It's not as loud as some other stadiums you play in. I think there were two or three times in the game where maybe the tackles and the tight ends had a little problem hearing, but New England has a silent snap count, like most teams, so that shouldn't be a problem.

"It really comes down to who plays better, I think. I don't know what the weather or the field conditions will be at game time. I know because the field is heated there, there tends to be some loose pieces of sod that come up once in a while. But, again, for a team like ours or a team like the Patriots, it shouldn't be a major problem."

Ravens cornerback Gary Baxter, whose team handed the Steelers their only loss of the season Sept. 19 in Baltimore, said, "The field can get sloppy, but it's sloppy in New England, too. The Steelers make it sloppy because they grind and they grind and they grind with their running game. They try to wear you down. If you stop them, no matter, they keep coming at you. New England is the same way, and they can beat you down the field with their passing game."

But Baxter agrees with Redman that the Steelers have a "12th man" in their fans.
(snip)

[hijinx87]

28. "the wheels on the bus . . . .

go 'round and 'round."

I've got a feeling it will be a big day for bettis.

[JohnKleeb]

29. Hes gotten 100 plus yards in all his starts

I think he can do it again against the pats, he did it against one of the better defenses, the Jets, and I think he got 100 against the Ravens who are very good defensively.

[blue neen]

31. Kleeb, I'm expecting this game to be another scorcher!

Everyone in the Burgh is still burnt out from Saturday's game!

My son was at the game on Saturday. When we talked to him afterward, he sounded like he had just run the Olympic Marathon--absolutely numbingly exhausted!