Steelers @ Patriots

[J.R. Locke]

Quote: Originally Posted by Buffalo Soldier

No - the fact that Welker could clearly see the ball get tipped and knew he had no chance at catching it is exactly how you get him not running crisp and hard routes over the middle. It was pretty obvious he slowed the moment the ball was tipped into the air.

I am not talking about that play. I am talking about the rest of the game, year, career. Wide receivers start to get the yips when they get hit like that. How quick will Welker go over the middle the next drive? I garuntee it will be on his mind.

[elicoleman]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

I'm not sure I'd blame the weather Eli. The weather has nothing to do with the pressure Cassel has faced causing 2 of the fumbles. The third fumble on the kickoff was just a poor play by the kick returner. Remember, both teams play in the same weather. It can't only affect one of them. With that said, this is not what I expected. I fully expected NE to win this game against a Steelers team that I don't think is that good (defense is good, offense is questionable).

With the weather getting worse (which is clearly did at half), we fell apart.

It didn't affect the Steelers because they had two very short drives.

I'm not taking anything from Pittsburgh, but it's just mind boggling how the first 28 minutes has been completely different than the last 20 minutes.

Missing that field goal before half (or if you want to count the Moss drop) completely swung the momentum into half.

[Beantown]

Quote: Originally Posted by J.R. Locke

I am not talking about that play. I am talking about the rest of the game, year, career. Wide receivers start to get the yips when they get hit like that. How quick will Welker go over the middle the next drive? I garuntee it will be on his mind.

Seeing as how I can recall three times already this year where Welker has taken a hit just as hard as this...and I'm sure it has happened before in his career...and he still runs harder than most WRs in the league...I doubt it'll effect him much.

Pretty sure anybody that has watched every Pats game this season will agree that Welker has taken some very hard shots this year (I believe one of them was in the first game against the 'Phins) and hasn't slowed down one bit.

[elicoleman]

Well atleast we can say one thing went against Pittsburgh this half.

[elicoleman]

I think what makes this loss even harder is the fact that the Jets are losing too.

[J.R. Locke]

Quote: Originally Posted by Buffalo Soldier

Pretty sure anybody that has watched every Pats game this season will agree that Welker has taken some very hard shots this year (I believe one of them was in the first game against the 'Phins) and hasn't slowed down one bit.

Where is he now? On the sideline, knocked out of the game? Slowed him down didn't it.

5 WR out on every play against the Steelers? Good way to get your QB drilled.

[Eton Rifles]

Well that interception should about do it. The only saving grace is the Pats will be favored in their last 4 games. They will have to win all 4 to get to the playoffs.

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by elicoleman

With the weather getting worse (which is clearly did at half), we fell apart. It didn't affect the Steelers because they had two very short drives. I'm not taking anything from Pittsburgh, but it's just mind boggling how the first 28 minutes has been completely different than the last 20 minutes. Missing that field goal before half (or if you want to count the Moss drop) completely swung the momentum into half.

I don't know. I don't mean this as insulting by any means, but it sounds like an excuse for some poor play on NE's side of the ball.

To me the big swing of momentum was the fumbled kickoff return and that can't be blamed on the weather. After that, Lebeau let the dogs loose and 2 fumbles were caused by the pressure of Pittsburgh's D (James Harrison has been doing this all year...it will be a shame if he's not a Pro Bowler).

This is typical of the Steelers D and the D play calling. Lebeau feels out the other team early and then really turns it up a notch in the second half of many games with additional blitzes and disguises.