Hey, I didn't say that. Steelers safety Anthony Smith said it, offering plenty more motivation for the unbeaten Patriots to keep their magical season going.
Besides, with all our loyal Steelers fans on this blog, a headline guaranteeing a Steelers win is as good as a picture of Scarlett Johansson for attracting page views.
I personally think the Patriots will win, because they're simply the better team. Not that it would shock me to see Big Ben & Co. pull it off. But let's face it. At Foxboro. Steelers running back depth an issue. Willie Parker's fumbling problem an issue.
And, oh yeah, Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Richard Seymour, Asante Samuel, Tedy Bruschi ... those guys.
If the Steelers are to get this thing done, then the answer lies with the guy who put the ball on the ground four times last week against Cincinnati. That's right. Parker is the one who will decide whether the Steelers have a chance or whether they're more roadkill for the hellbent-on-a-perfect-season Patriots.
Why Parker? Because if there's one thing the Ravens did last week, it was expose the one vulnerability that the Patriots have: the run defense. Willis McGahee torched the Patriots, and if Parker can generate that kind of offense, the Steelers can at least keep it close, if not win outright.
A capable running game not only keeps the Patriots' offense off the field, but it gives Roethlisberger a viable play-action option that will only make him more effective. I do see the Patriots blitzing the pants off Roethlisberger - much like the Jets did a couple weeks back. But if the Steelers can do a better job blocking - granted, a big "if" - and if Parker gets rolling early and often, there's a chance.
In the end, I think the Patriots grind out a win, but it won't be as easy as the 13-point spread indicates.
Pats 28, Steelers 21.
Comments (7)
Where did you dig up the still of Parker against the 'Skins? A preseason shot?
IMO, the 'Lers biggest problem offensively this year (minus the first 3-4 games) has been the running game - especially on the road. They should have torched the Jets', Bengals, Broncos, and Cards on the ground but could barely crack 3 yds a pop. So I don't expect any semblance of a running attack this week just because the Ravens were successful at it last week.
The season finishes in critical fashion for Pittsburgh. Their season is about to go one of 2 ways. They either continue their uninspired play of weeks gone by and finish the season 2-2 and enter the playoffs as just another pretender, or they pick it up a few notches and become a legit threat to the AFC crown. We should know by about halftime on Sunday.
Hey, the NY market gets Jets-Browns at 4:00. Thanks goodness for DirecTV!
Keep this in mind, BBiB! The injury to Roosevelt Colvin has played havoc with the Patriots' linebacker rotation, so I think part of why they were having trouble with McGahee was related to how they've got to mix and match in his absence. We'll see if Fast Willie P. can take advantage, or if your well-founded fears about the Steelers - yes, WE remember your angst leading up to the Jets' game - will rule the day.
Good thing Willie Parker is fast. You need to be quick to recovered those fumbles!
I think the key is pressure on Brady. The Patriots are most dangerous with the 4-5 receiver sets. When the Patriots empty the backfield, the Steelers need to hit Brady. The Ravens hit Brady a couple of times and forced the Pats into 2 tight end sets. They are still formidable, but less explosive with Watson and Kyle Brady on the field. On offense, Ben needs to buy time with his feet and let his receivers get open.
As much as I would rather not see it, I will not be surprised if this game goes to the Steelers. I'll still pick the Pats, but after watching the last couple of games I just don't see the invincible team that started the season. I'm not sure if they've gotten cocky or it's just that the other teams have been doing a great job studying, or a little of both. The Patriots need to evolve with the season - hope they are doing the head work as well as the physical work.
Of course the Bills will lose.
I really think the Steelers will win this. It's a good matchup for them and makes for a better story come playoffs.
Plus, think of it this way. The Pats have a No. 1 seed no matter what. They could lose now to a credible Steeler team then rest their top players against the lowly Jets and Miami.
OR, if they are still undefeated, they will be obligated to play all their starters against those cruddy teams, depleting them for the playoffs.
Losing to the Steelers this week is better strategy for the Pats, and may be inevitable anyway.
The game means nothing ( insert maniacal laugh here)
The Patriots will get the #1 seed in the AFC regardless.
The Steelers will get the #3 seed in the AFC regardless.
Rationalization by a Steeler fan to explain away a loss before the game? You be the judge :-)
In all seriousness the Steelers have to run, run, run and tire the front seven of the Patriots out as much as possible. If the Steelers are going to win this it'll be by coming back late in the game with a short ariel attack after exhausting the Patriots defense early and forcing them to bring an extra defender up into the box.
Defensively the Steelers will have to apply as much pressure as possible from the edges using speed rather than force. Expect the Steelers to get burnt early. They'll have to gamble, be extremely physical with Moss, doubling him over the top where possible.
BeliCheat was so concerned with his teams fatigue that he gave them a day off even with the short week. That may be a first for him.
Steelers give the Patriots trouble, but fall behind early and fail to convert on a possible winning score at the end of the game.
How can you not dislike a team that might go 19-0, win the Super Bowl, Get penalized with the loss of their first round draft choice, and still get the second pick overall?
Hey BG - check this link out, why can't you ever come up with something this fun? :-) :-) :-)
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07341/840022-360.stm