Patriots @ Steelers: Official Game Thread

In week 14, the Steelers earned another hard fought victory against the Ravens and became AFC North Champs. Now the Steelers remain at Heinz Field to host the Patriots.

For the Steelers to win:
The Steelers need to bring their "A" game in all three phases (Offense, Defense, Special Teams) for the entire game.
The Steelers need to control Time Of Possession. They need to limit the number of chances Brady has.
The Steelers offense needs to run the ball effectively.
The Steelers defense needs to pressure Tom Brady up the middle. Brady has trouble with this type of pressure.
The Steelers defense needs to contain the Patriots running game.
The Steelers defense needs to limit the number of big plays given up.
The Steelers need to score TDs and not settle for FGs.
The Steelers need to win the turnover battle.
The Steelers offensive line needs to protect Ben.
Steelers offensive players that the Patriots aren't currently "taking away" need to step up and make plays.
The Steelers need to avoid getting outcoached.

From Steelers Depot:
Steelers Versus Patriots Week 15 Projected Inactive List

Joshua Dobbs – Dobbs will be inactive again on Sunday. If the Steelers clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC either this weekend or next weekend, perhaps Dobbs will be able to dress for the team’s regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns and potentially backup Landry Jones in that game.

Vance McDonald – McDonald was ruled out on the team’s Friday injury report with a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 14. This will make the sixth game the tight end has missed this season due to injury and that certainly is a shame. The Steelers offense will miss his blocking ability for starters in addition to his receiving ability.

Matt Feiler – Feiler is now clearly behind tackle Jerald Hawkins on the team’s offensive line depth chart. He hasn’t dressed for a game in several weeks and that’s not likely to change Sunday against the Patriots. Look for him to be on the inactive list again on Sunday.

Daniel McCullers – McCullers hasn’t dressed in several weeks as the five defensive linemen ahead of him on the depth chart are healthy. He shouldn’t be needed again Sunday against the Patriots so expect him to be one of the team’s seven inactive players once again.

Justin Hunter – Will wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster dress and play Sunday after ending the week listed as questionable on the team’s injury report? He was limited all week in practice and that’s never a great sign for a rookie. With that said, I’ll guess that Smith-Schuster will ultimately play against the Patriots based merely on how he’s been acting Saturday on social media. If that happens, there’s a good chance that Hunter will be inactive. Obviously, if Smith-Schuster doesn’t dress, Hunter likely will.

James Harrison – With inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich expected to return this weekend from the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 14, that might allow Arthur Moats to go back to his normal outside linebacker position. If both of those things happen, Harrison might very well find himself back on the inactive list again. With three questionable players on the final injury report this week it makes predicting these seven potentially inactive players incredibly tough. In short, I’m not confident Harrison will be inactive this week.

Joe Haden – While Haden was able to return to practice this week he was listed as a limited participant all three days. He ended the week listed as questionable and said on Friday he’ll be a game time decision on Sunday. I’ll guess that head coach Mike Tomlin sits Haden one more week in an effort to make sure his 100 percent for the playoffs. If Haden does wind up dressing, look for either safety J.J. Wilcox or cornerback Brian Allen to be inactive.

 

Tunch Ilkin's 3 keys to the game:

Key # 1: Disrupt The Rythm (of Tom Brady and that offense)
Key # 2: Don't Forget The Run (of the Patriots)
Key # 3: Don't Leave Plays On The Field

 

My key for the game. Screw the Patriots. Score more points than those assholes.

 

Patriots have their share of injuries.

Key to game - coaching and game planning.

Whichever coaching staff has their team better prepared will give their team a much better chance of successful player execution.

It’s time for the Satanic cult being led by Bellichick to be put in their place.

The most casual football fans have been talking about this game this week, wondering what kind of TV ratings the game will get.

 

Seeing how it is a game for AFC superiority it should have some of the highest TV ratings of the season.

 

In order to win, the Steelers need to bring their A+ game. Ben, Brown, Bell, Bryant, Boswell all need to contribute. Van Noy is out again, and he's one of the Patriots best run defenders. Get Nix in the game and plow through the D. Juju needs to take some attention off Brown, especially on 3rd downs. The Outlaw could use a repeat of last week's stat line. Wish McDonald could stay out of the trainers room, because we saw what he could bring to the offense before Mr Glass left the game yet again. Somebody line his gear with bubble wrap!

On defense, just tackle better. outside of the deep throw they are normally in position to make a stop. Wrap your arms, and get the ball carrier to the ground. Stop looking for the highlight reel kill shot and get the guy on the ground. Sean Davis needs to put last week out of his mind, have a good game today. Burns, stop peaking in the backfield, Brady will throw double moves that way. All 5 DL need to penetrate and get a few hits on Brady. If Brady's jersey is still white at the end of the game, its likely the Patriots win. Haden/Sutton/Sensabaugh whoever is starting, remember to cover Hogan. Gronk is going to make a couple plays, I still say stick Allen on him in man coverage. I know Hilton is having a damn good season, but he gives up almost a foot in height to Gronk. Burkhead, Lewis and White are all good receiving options out of the backfield, and Brady goes to them often. Fort/Spence/Matakavich need to be solid. Watt is probably going to be in coverage more than we would like so that means Dupree needs to get to the QB, not go 10 yards upfield and try to run around the tackle. Go through him once in a while, maybe surprise someone with an actual pass rushing move. Butler, mix up the D. Don't stay in zone all day or you will may need an escort out of the stadium.

 

Wouldn’t that mean they need to bring their “B” game?



Oh, I do crack myself up.

 

Hogan is out for this one due to shoulder injury, I read, SteelerKing

 

So Kenny Britt is in. Makes containing those RBs in the passing game even more important

 

I’m hoping Britt and Brady have no chemistry since just thrown together.

With Gronk and their other receivers, they can pass all over us with them too.

 

Me too, Britt's a better athlete, but Hogan has great chemistry with Brady.

 

Anybody know why JJ Wilcox is inactive today?

With a defense that has stunk as much as ours lately, not sure why he is not even getting a hat.

 

DeCastro called for a hold

Didn’t see it

Hmmmmm this officiating crew again? Hopefully they see tick tack stuff both ways.

 

That holding call forces a punt

Corrente and company

Wish they’d have shown a replay on that

Bush league non replay production and they cut into the game late too at the start

 

Wrong Team 7
Right Team 0

Note the zone defense was being played on the long bomb by Brady

 

Fortunately, I’m used to this so it feels normal actually.

 

And........,.....Steelers are done. Hello 11-3

 

It's been common for Ben to have 4th qtr come from behind wins this season. Still have a a lot of game left.

 

Way to start fast guys...on that offsides on 3rd and 1 I thought both Brady and the center got away with movement...oh well, get the offense going

 

I see you are schooled in the fine art of reverse psychology too.