R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Steelers vs. Patriots) [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

Blackadar

01-17-2005, 01:01 PM

Man, oh man. The Steelers must be furious. They went 15-1. Won the last 14 games. They beat two undefeated teams this year. Ended the Patriots 21 game win streak. They completely dominated the Patsies back in October. They blew them off the ball on both sides of the line. They didn't punt once. The game was much more lopsided than the final score. The Steelers ran out the clock inside the Patriots 20 yard line. The Patriots rushed 6 times...for 5 yards.

Yet, with all that - and the game at Heinz Field...

...all the so-called experts are predicting that the Patriots will win. Usually, they infer it will be a rather easy game for the Patriots. That Corey Dillon didn't play and that he would have made the difference in the first game. That the Patriots were/are injured and still succeeding. All I hear is Dillon, Dillon, Injuries, Dillon, Bill "Genius" Bellichek, Dillon, Tom Brady, Dillon...

If I were a Steelers player, I'd be so pissed off I couldn't see straight. Dillion would have made NO difference - the Patsies were down 21-3 in the 1st Quarter. For every injury on the Patriots, there was a corresponding injury on the Steelers - Maddox, Staley, Burress, Kendrell Bell, Chad Scott, Kendall Simmons, Jay Reimersma and Casey Hampton all missed significant time. Yet they seem to be totally discounted.

Talk about motiviation...R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Steelers 27, Patriots 13

MikeVic

01-17-2005, 01:02 PM

I feel the exact same way. I hope the Steelers players get fired up by all of this and show everyone why they went 15-1.

FrogMan

01-17-2005, 01:03 PM

wow, talk about blowing a fuse...

FM

Desnudo

01-17-2005, 01:06 PM

The Maddox injury was a negative for the Steelers? One thing I'm definitely seeing from the media is they can't seem to see before last weeks results. The Colts pounded the Broncos in a dome at home? Well that must mean the Colts will pound the Patriots in Foxboro in the middle of winter. The Patriots pounded a mediocre Colts defense? Well that must mean they'll run the ball down the throat of the Steelers. I don't see how the Steelers are anything but favorites in this game.

Hmmm, Patriots are favored by 3. Apparently Vegas agrees with the media.

Coffee Warlord

01-17-2005, 01:11 PM

SirFozzie

01-17-2005, 01:12 PM

Vegas may or may not agree with the media, they represent the conventional wisdom of the betting public. They're not trying to pick the result of the game, they're trying to make sure that the betting is 50/50 (they make their money on the Vigorish).

I still say Steelers by four, because of HFA and the fact they can run.

Franklinnoble

01-17-2005, 01:15 PM

This game could go any of a number of ways.

It will likely be a very close contest, decided by 7 or less.

If Roethlisburger has another bad game, and the Pats stifle the Steelers offense, and Brady plays it cool, it could be a New England blowout.

If Pittsburgh gets pressure on Brady, shuts down Dillon, and Big Ben goes off, it could be a Steelers blowout.

Honestly, I'd hate to bet on this game. But I'm gonna love watching it.

cmp

01-17-2005, 01:15 PM

I think New England will win this one easily. I just don't have any confidence in Big Ben. The Steelers shouldnt even be in this game, they were handed the win on Saturday.

rkmsuf

01-17-2005, 01:17 PM

Given the performances of the two teams this weekend I can totally see the line open up in favor of the Pats. Particularly in light of how the public regards Manning.

I'd expect the line to end up like the Pat/Colts line...down in the 1 range.

Pickem or Pats -1 is probably a fair proposition.

Desnudo

01-17-2005, 01:19 PM

Bomber

01-17-2005, 01:19 PM

No way the Steeler win.

henry296

01-17-2005, 01:20 PM

I think both sides are focusing on one time events that may or may not happen again. I think the Steelers passing game plays better than they did against Jets. I also believe that Patriots will not have 2 turnovers in the first quarter deep in their own territory that lead to the 21-3 lead that completely changed the game plan.

I think the game is really close. Besides turnovers, which will always decide a big game, whatever team runs the ball better will have a good chance to win.

However, I do agree that being an underdog at home is good motivation for the Steelers.

Todd

Blackadar

01-17-2005, 01:23 PM

Speaking of which, has there EVER been a home dog in the AFC Championship game?

B & B

01-17-2005, 01:23 PM

I still say Steelers by four, because of HFA and the fact they can run.

James had over 1500 yards rushing this year and checking his statline on Sunday was 14 attempts for 39 yards. Pretty low for a guy with eight 100 yard performances in 15 games. Steelers have a better 0 line but the lack of respect for the pass from Big Ben vs. Manning cannot be ignored. BB will be stacking deep and selling cheap. Also, Seymour will be playing. Hmm. Have to think the fact that they can or cannot run will decide the outcome. We'll see.

I dont expect the weather to be much better if at all next weekend, and the field will be worse.

FrogMan

01-17-2005, 01:24 PM

Speaking of which, has there EVER been a home dog in the AFC Championship game?
weren't the Pats home dogs last year against the Colts? not sure though...

FM

gstelmack

01-17-2005, 02:23 PM

Devil's Advocate: They didn't look good at all vs the Jets. Pats have the playoff experience, and were certainly firing on all cylinders vs the Colts. Ben looked, well, like a rookie. Playoff jitters?
I think this is exactly what it was. Heard / read several comments yesterday by people that thought the winner of yesterday's Pats/Indy game would be the AFC rep after the way the Steelers played on Saturday. If not for Doug Brien, this would be an AFC East matchup in New England coming up.

That said, Pittsburgh finally had their dog game (like New England had back against Miami, the one I was raked over the coals for suggesting they still had in them), and could easily come out firing on all cylinders. This is shaping up to be a GREAT game, possibly the game that Indy / NE was supposed to be...

SirFozzie

01-17-2005, 02:41 PM

Current (way way way out) forecast for Sunday for Pittsburgh

Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Highs around 30.

Add in 6 o clock start.. equals another cold weather slugfest.

Alan T

01-17-2005, 03:01 PM

This is kind of funny to me. Almost an exact opposite of when the Pats and Steelers played in week 1 the season following the Pat's first superbowl win.. Everyone seemed to say the pats win was a fluke, or Martz's fault or dumb luck or whatever. No one gave them credit, and everyone expected the cinderella to turn back into a pumpkin. Going into the week 1 game with the steelers, everyone had Pitt as the favorites big time, and the Pats went in with the huge underdog mentality and preceeded to kick the steelers butts..

Now it seems that no one is respecting the Steelers and are already placing the Patriots into the superbowl. Its almost like the tide has turned. I hate to say it, but you do not go 14-2 or 15-1 in a regular season without being a good team. Both of these teams are excellent and if anyone is just overlooking either team, they are making a foolish mistake.

Personally I hope both teams beat the snot out of each other and rack up a ton of injuries so when my Falcons do fluke out and somehow end up in the superbowl they might have an easier time... but thats wishful thinking :)

SirFozzie

01-17-2005, 03:04 PM

Trust me, Alan, only the bandwagoners who jumped from Indy to New England are treating this game as over and done with. I really MUCH rather would have played the Jets (even without the fact that if the Jets won, that it would be in New England). The Steelers have the type of game that the Pats hate. a Plugger offense that hits you back as hard as they hit you, and then some receivers who can work over the top when you creep up.

rkmsuf

01-17-2005, 03:05 PM

varacel

01-17-2005, 03:13 PM

Speaking of which, has there EVER been a home dog in the AFC Championship game?
Steelers over Patriots in 2001

muns

01-17-2005, 03:26 PM

The Steelers shouldnt even be in this game, they were handed the win on Saturday.

I seem to forget when the jets scored a touchdown on offense in that game? It looked like to me anyways that the steelers kept the jets in the game, not the other way around.

jetpunk2000

01-17-2005, 03:30 PM

Steelers over Patriots in 2001
The Steelers were home in 2001.

jetpunk2000

01-17-2005, 03:31 PM

Speaking of which, has there EVER been a home dog in the AFC Championship game?
Even more amazing, has there ever been a 16-1 dog before?

Desnudo

01-17-2005, 03:52 PM

Even more amazing, has there ever been a 16-1 dog before?

That is the most amazing part about it. Figuring the 3 points you get for home field and they'd be 6 point underdogs at a neutral site or 9 point dogs at Foxboro. It doesn't make sense.

Franklinnoble

01-17-2005, 04:08 PM

Even more amazing, has there ever been a 16-1 dog before?

It's been worse.

The 1972 Dolphins were underdogs in the Super Bowl that year.

Alan T

01-17-2005, 04:31 PM

Steelers over Patriots in 2001

I remember that differently. I remember the Steelers being heavy favorites and already having their super bowl trip planned and hotels booked and making a big deal about overlooking the Patriots.

Sharpieman

01-17-2005, 04:36 PM

You can't argue with results: Brady= 0 playoff loses

totoro

01-17-2005, 05:50 PM

While PIT won a game which actually belonged to NYJ (thanks to their kicker for those 2 missing FGs), NE completelly dominate IND. I'm not a NE fan but .... that kinda persuade me to favor NE. :cool:

SirFozzie

01-17-2005, 06:32 PM

You can't argue with results: Brady= 0 playoff loses

Going by that, you also have: Rothelisberger=0 Pro Losses. Can't argue with that either, can you?

I'm pretty sure, no matter who wins, It's not going to be a blowout

lytic

01-17-2005, 07:12 PM

Pats will win. I put my house on it.

GrantDawg

01-17-2005, 07:36 PM

Going by that, you also have: Rothelisberger=0 Pro Losses. Can't argue with that either, can you?

I'm pretty sure, no matter who wins, It's not going to be a blowout
Well, we are guarenteed one of those streaks will end.

Draft Dodger

01-17-2005, 07:47 PM

Seems correct to me - Steelers (and especially Big Ben) didn't look tremendous this weekend, and the Pats played probably their best game of the season.

I think people are putting too much emphasis on the earlier game. Pittsburgh fans were talking about how they beat NE, but, really there were some big plays early that really swung the momentum in Pittsburgh's favor. Meanwhile, everyone in NE's camp thinks Dillon will be the difference, but, really, they would have still lost with him in that other game.

I personally prefer to throw out that first game, and just sit back and watch the two best teams in football battle it out. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to envision that you'll be watching the eventual SuperBowl champ in that game.

PilotMan

01-17-2005, 11:49 PM

I personally prefer to throw out that first game, and just sit back and watch the two best teams in football battle it out. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to envision that you'll be watching the eventual SuperBowl champ in that game.
Even as a huge Steeler fan, the game this weekend is a pickem game. Pit should not be favored, even in this game. The Patriots deserve respect, as the defending champs, and even with the better record Pit is going to have to play one hell of a game to win.

I felt going in against the Jets that Cowher wanted to really stretch the field, except that he kept going to the well and there was never any water there. If they had connected on any of those passes it would have been a different game. That said, he is going to hold and pound the ball this weekend. I think that they feel like they can best any D line in the NFL. Look for a lot of short - med passes and tough running from the Steelers, that should set up the long pass and accomplish what they were not able to accomplish last week.

On the flip side Brady is a better Qb, and has a way of getting the job done. Pitt has a tendency to overplay in situations like this and Brady can really take advantage of this. Dillion has had monster games against the Steelers when he was with the Bengals, and they sucked then. I am hoping for the best but keeping reality right in front of me. I love Brady so even if he does kill my Steelers, it will just instill more repect for him from me.

Logan

01-18-2005, 12:04 AM

Right now, the site I use to bet has NE at -3.0. That is just high enough for me to not bet on the game. I'm hoping for enough action to bet on Pitt to bring it down a bit, in which I'll take NE and the Falcons at +4.5. Feel confident with the Atlanta bet but would be much happier if NE is at -2.5 or less.

Vinatieri for Prez

01-18-2005, 12:04 AM

I am biased, but this is still a pick 'em. Forget about week 6, it's irrelevant. Pitt is good smash mouth team playing at home. But here is why they don't get favored.

1) this is playoffs, not regular season and NE has the successful playoff experience
2) Pitt has a horrible recent AFC Championship home record (all under Cowher)
3) Brady v. Rothlisberger (untested/unproven in playoffs)
4) NE has played great run defense over the last 5 weeks or so (Curtis Martin 39 yards, Edgerrin James same thing). Their run defense was not good earlier in the season (including when they played Pitt), but that has changed
5) Place kicking advantage in a close game

I see this as low scoring, with 1 or 2 turnovers making the difference.

Desnudo

01-18-2005, 12:32 AM

Even as a huge Steeler fan, the game this weekend is a pickem game. Pit should not be favored, even in this game. The Patriots deserve respect, as the defending champs, and even with the better record Pit is going to have to play one hell of a game to win.

I refuse to be outrespected by a Steelers fan. I think the Steelers deserve more respect, playing at home and having previously beaten the Patriots already, Dillon or no Dillon. They have the physical offense that the Patriots hate playing against and mammoth receivers to match up on small dbs. I think people are placing too much emphasis on the results of last week's games. The Jets D is much better than the Colts D. They definitely should not be home dogs.

sabotai

01-18-2005, 12:38 AM

I think people are putting too much epmphasis on this weekend's games. People put too much emphasis on last week's games which caused them to pick the Colts over the Pats. The Colts showed that a team can have a great game one week and a horrible game the next. I don't think it was playoff jittlers that troubled Big Ben, he just didn't have a good game. He made a few mistakes, but it's not like he played horrible all game long. He didn't do too good vs the Jets the last time either. Perhaps the Steelers offense just doesn't match up well against the Jets D, much like how Indy's offense doesn't match up well against the Pats D.

I think this will be played out much like the Pitt-NYJ game was played. A rough, field position game.

PilotMan

01-18-2005, 12:49 AM

I think this will be played out much like the Pitt-NYJ game was played. A rough, field position game.
Bingo, I would be very surprised if either team ran away with this one.

Aylmar

01-18-2005, 07:16 AM

Dillion has had monster games against the Steelers when he was with the Bengals, and they sucked then. I am hoping for the best but keeping reality right in front of me.

You would think so, but if you look at the stats, he's been...hmm, I'd call him solid. Nice games against the Steelers in '99 and '00, but those were lean years for the Steelers defense. He's a great back, but I wouldn't say that any of these games were monsters.

1997
Carries: 5
Yards: 8
YPC: 1.6

Carries: 19
Yards: 78
YPC: 4.1

1998
Carries: 23
Yards: 99
YPC: 4.3

1999
Carries: 16
Yards: 78
YPC: 4.8

Carries: 23
Yards: 120
YPC: 5.2

2000
Carries: 15
Yards: 36
YPC: 2.4

Carries: 23
Yards: 128
YPC: 5.5

2001
Carries: 19
Yards: 64
YPC: 3.3

Carries: 21
Yards: 91
YPC: 4.3

2002
Carries: 17
Yards: 57
YPC: 3.3

Carries: 19
Yards: 60
YPC: 3.1

2003
Carries: 7
Yards: 26
YPC: 3.7

Carries: 10
Yards: 48
YPC: 4.8

Career average
Carries: 217
Yards: 893
YPC: 4.1
CPG: 16.6
YPG: 68.6

Ksyrup

01-18-2005, 07:35 AM

I'd give the Pats the edge just on the theory that if they bottled up Manning and James, they should be able to do the same to a rookie QB and limit the Steelers' running game as well. However, that's assuming the Steelers have the same assinine game plan that the Colts did. If they can run the ball even moderately well, and actually try to throw the ball beyond 8 yards in decent situations for Ben, they could very well win this game.

I don't give a crap about betting, so I'm just going to enjoy a great game in which I really don't have a rooting interest one way or the other.

Now, in the other game, I guess I'll be rooting for the Falcons, just so we can start calling the Eagles "Bills Lite."

Alf

01-18-2005, 07:53 AM

I would love to see Bettis get another ring !

henry296

01-18-2005, 09:34 AM

I would love to see Bettis get another ring !

Another ring? He doesn't even have 1 yet.

rkmsuf

01-18-2005, 09:47 AM

Another ring? He doesn't even have 1 yet.

Maybe he has a bowling league ring.

henry296

01-18-2005, 02:35 PM

Interesting Pats statistics over the last 4 years. They have lost 4 times in their past 37 games. In all 4 of those games they had at least 4 turnovers. Therefore, if you want to beat the Pats forcing turnovers is critical. Without forcing turnovers teams haven't beaten them.

Todd

FrogMan

01-18-2005, 02:41 PM

another interesting stats I just read in the BostonHerald, the Pats are 12-4-1 against the spread this season...

FM

rkmsuf

01-18-2005, 02:46 PM

another interesting stats I just read in the BostonHerald, the Pats are 12-4-1 against the spread this season...

FM

They've been incredible over a two year span against the spread.

Z²+

01-18-2005, 07:03 PM

Another interesting fact I heard today...

Bill Bellicheck is 13-0 when facing a team that had beaten him previously that same season.

But the Steelers stopped the Patsies other streak, I think they can break this one too :)

lytic

01-18-2005, 07:04 PM

Karlifornia

01-18-2005, 07:10 PM

No way the Steeler win.

I wasn't really able to lean in either direction until I read this. I can now guarantee that the Steelers will win.

Blackadar

01-23-2005, 08:55 AM

It's GAME DAY!

And the Steelers continue to get snubbed. Just look at the front page of ESPN. There's a BIG picture of Tom Brady and a small picture of Big Ben.

Go Steelers! Knock their blocks off!

Noop

01-23-2005, 09:30 AM

Go Pittsburgh!!

BishopMVP

01-23-2005, 09:48 AM

And the Steelers continue to get snubbed. Just look at the front page of ESPN. There's a BIG picture of Tom Brady and a small picture of Big Ben.While linking to video of their experts picking the Steelers.

8 hours until it will be settled.

Dutch

01-23-2005, 10:02 AM

It's been worse.

The 1972 Dolphins were underdogs in the Super Bowl that year.

Damn.

Desnudo

01-23-2005, 02:46 PM

While linking to video of their experts picking the Steelers.

8 hours until it will be settled.

That is funny. Bruschi was also on the cover of SI this week for the double jinx. I didn't watch any of today's pregame shows, but NFL on HBO had all but Cris Carter picking the Steelers and both those knuckleheads on NFL Tonight picked them. Including the guy who predicted Brady to be the biggest disapointment last week. :rolleyes: Apparently they don't learn from history. Maybe their theory is if you pick against someone long enough, you'll be right eventually.