Pittsburgh vs. New England

[OwenTheBlonde]

Apologies for sidetracking the thread. Too used to other forums that are more loose.

[Cooner]

I just don't see Pittsburgh airing it out and loosening up the Pats defense. If Manning and the Colts couldn't do it, sorry, but the Steelers can't either.

see, here was the thing... it wasn't that the Colts COULDN'T, it was that they DIDN'T. They didn't really take any shots downfield, at least not deep. Really (IMO) with all due respect to the Patriots (and a lot is due), the Colts talked/played themselves out of that game. I'm not saying that a better game plan and execution would have changed the outcome- it's clear that the Pats are the better team, but it should have been a much better game.

The other reason I think the Steelers can air it out on the Pats a bit is that, to start the game, it's pretty clear the Pats will be stacked against the run, where they clearly weren't against the Colts. The kind of one-on-one opportunities that creates for Ward, Burress, and Randel El are just the kind of opportunities that Ben (and Cowher) is willing to simply toss the ball up and let one of his recievers make a play on.

If the Steelers stick to the the game plan they had in their previous big games- throwing to keep things honest and (hopefully) get an early lead, quickly followed by run run run- I think they have just as good a shot of winning as NE.

[Kensat30]

Vinateri game winning field goal anyone?

[Azrael]

Vinateri game winning field goal anyone?

If it's windy at Heinz this weekend, fageddaboutit.

[portisfan24]

Vinateri game winning field goal anyone?

If it's windy at Heinz this weekend, fageddaboutit.

Im sure that would be worse than the snowbowl conditions.

[Azrael]

Vinateri game winning field goal anyone?

If it's windy at Heinz this weekend, fageddaboutit.

Im sure that would be worse than the snowbowl conditions.

Snow is alot easier to kick in than swirling wind.

[portisfan24]

Vinateri game winning field goal anyone?

If it's windy at Heinz this weekend, fageddaboutit.

Im sure that would be worse than the snowbowl conditions.

Snow is alot easier to kick in than swirling wind.

I seem to remember a pretty strong wind in that game. Also, it would have been freezing and he would have been standing on the sideline all game. Even if Heinz field is a bit harder to kick in, you cant say its much more difficult than the snowbowl kick.

[chcbb]

a lot of people are saying how the steelers will go for some deep passes early to try and beat the pats "beat up" secondary, and that will get rothlisberger comfortable early.... needless to say i disagree. the pats have shown that they can front an effective secondary regardlesly of the fact that they might be missing a few key players; i just don't see pittsburgh winning this game through the air. i can see them pounding the ball w/ the bus and duce and winning the field position battle and the game... but not through a heavy reliance on ben and the air attack. the patriots will make sure that ben doesn't get comfortable. anyway i see it being a close game won on the ground and by a big turnover type event, and of course capped by a vinateri game winner as the clock hits zero (i'm feeling a 40-45ish yarder).

[joshyboy72]

Was just watching NFL Live and it said the wind for this game is only going to be around 11 mph. Not too bad, Vinatieri could kick a 40 some odd yarder in that. He, unlike Brien, knows how to make a big kick.

[Azrael]

I heard that when the Pats kick field goals the Steelers are going to call a timeout and dump a wheelbarrow full of snow 7 yards behind the center.