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Leave YOUR Writing on the Wall! Send your predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent as well as your postgame critiques, analysis, ranting and raving about the last game. Whether your message is a simple "Go Steelers" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it below.
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Patsy Pride?
You be the judge: do these Pats fans look more like they're decked out for a football game or a gay pride parade?
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Rodney Dangerfield vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers
Are the Patriots one-hit wonders?
Article by McMillen & Wife
Sept 2, 2002 --- Rodney Dangerfield once quipped that he could hear the Fruit of the Loom guys laughing at him when he put on his underwear in the morning. I don't think it's quite that bad in New England just yet, but I can't remember a defending Super Bowl champion ever getting less respect than the 2002 Patriots (maybe the Redskins in '88). In spite of having a healthy team that remained remarkably untouched by free agency in the offseason, almost no one outside of New England (and you'd be hard pressed to find many true believers there) expects the Patriots to repeat as champs.
So what gives? After all, these guys DID beat the 2001 media darlings (the Steelers & Rams) and have a shiny, new Lombardi Trophy to prove they know how to play the game. So why has most of the football world already dubbed them a one-hit wonder?
Steelers edge #1: Cinderella teams tend to combust after the big dance.
The answer is quite simple, really. Yes, the New England Patriots are a solid, well-coached team... but they are the epitome of a Cinderella team who played WAY above their heads in the playoffs. Can you think of a single Cinderella team who has ever won back to back Super Bowls? Neither can I, because it's never happened.
Steelers edge #2: The Steelers are freakishly good on Monday Nights.
What happened in last season's AFC Championship is behind us. This Monday night, New England won't be facing an overconfident Pittsburgh team with a penchant for choking in AFC Championship games. To the contrary, the Pats are stepping into the ring with a vengeful, incredibly pissed off squad with superior personel and a long history of squashing their opposition in Monday Night matchups.
Steelers edge #3: Belichek will have a much more difficult time devising the perfect game plan.
There are those who will point out that the Patriots made a living beating teams with more talent last year. But New England will sneak up on no one this year, least of all the Steelers. Belichek's game plan was relatively simple for the AFC Championship game: look at what the Steelers have been doing at the most basic level and contain it, because as much as I hate to admit it, Pittsburgh has repeatedly shown in the playoffs that they will be very conservative and very slow to adjust on both sides of the ball. But Belichek doesn't really know what the Steelers are going to throw at him Monday night because the Steelers are a radically different team during the regular season. Therein lies the key to victory.
Steelers edge #4: The Steelers really DO have the better team.
Patriot Facts
Record: 12-5
--DEFENSE--
Overall: # 24
Pts Allowed: # 6
vs. Rush: # 19
vs. Pass: # 24
Sacks: # 14
--OFFENSE--
Overall: # 19
Pts Scored: # 6
Rushing: # 12
Passing: # 22
INT Thrown: # 12
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Official Site
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Steeler Facts
Record: 13-3
--DEFENSE--
Overall: # 1
Pts Allowed: # 3
vs. Rush: # 1
vs. Pass: # 4
Sacks: # 1
--OFFENSE--
Overall: # 3
Pts Scored: # 7
Rushing: # 1
Passing: # 21
INT Thrown: # 2
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Official Site
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The Patriots are solid, but they're overmatched talent-wise across the board by the Steelers. I mean, let's face it... the Pats' strongest unit is their special teams (their offense managed just 3 TDs in three post-season games). Since both teams remain almost completely intact from last year (each team returns 20 of 22 starters), all you have to do is go back and look at the numbers posted to the right and the evidence is pretty clear. The Steelers are equal to or better than the Patriots in pretty much every friggin' category. If the Steelers play reasonably clean game and don't give up cheap scores (can you say special teams?), the outcome should be pretty cut & dry. That's not to say we can mail the Patriots a Publisher's Clearhouse-type letter that says, "You have definitely lost. Even we cannot believe how badly you've done in this contest!" (credit to Jerry Seinfeld on that one). But barring any momumental gaffes or the kind of implosion we witnessed this past January, the Steelers should win.
Steelers edge #5: The Steelers have one helluva festering, hateful chip on their shoulder.
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Fan Poll |  |
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What will the outcome of the Steelers/Pats game on Monday night be?
• Steelers win by 7+
• Steelers win by 3+
• Patriots win by 3+
• Patriots win by 7+
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New Stadium or not, I think the emotional edge also belongs to the Steelers. Yes, the Patriots have been proudly flying the "we don't get any respect" banner and have vowed to prove the pundits wrong. But the Steelers have been quietly seething for the last 8 months after watching the Cinderella Pats snatch away something the Steelers thought was theirs.
The bottom line: The Steelers are a team that has been utterly consumed with shoving Cinderella back inside her F___ing pumpkin from the moment training camp began. All that comes to a head Monday night, and bruthas, I simply cannot wait!
Tims's Prediction: 20-17
Sandy's Prediction: 27-20
See 'yins after the game, bruthas & sistas!
Tim McMillen
Webmaster, McMillen & Wife
Mac & Wife is Hosted and Sponsored by Pittsburgh's Finest!
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Fan Smak & Analysis
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The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the BOTTOM). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people!
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Author: Nat LaBorde
Comment: Steelers vs. Pats Pregame
Welp,here we go again.I'm looking foward to the season,not so much this game,for me it's kinda like so what.The Steelers will most likely smeer them,the Pats got ALOT of help last year on their run and were smart enough to take full advantage.From the Refs,to teams overlooking them,to America's new found Patriotism it all adds up to a cute little story.I hope they and their ''johnny come lately'' fans are wise enough to savor every last drop because it will more than likely be a cold day in hell when it happens again.
As for my Steelers,I really don't know what they'll do this year.We all know they have ALMOST everything they need to do it .Their inability to win games they should[AFC Championship] is very frustrating to say the least.Last year they put too much focus on beating the Ravens in the playoffs and couldn't seem to get too excited to play the Pats.Will they EVER learn?????
I don't care for the Steelers schedule this year,it's too easy.I think they'll blow through the regular season and then have trouble in the playoffs when they play a team with a winning record.The Steelers are being told they are THE favorite to go to the Super Bowl which is also not good.The Steelers almost always lose when everyone else picks them to win and they almost always win when they are suppose to get killed.
They made some good moves in the off season .The best is dumping Troy Edwards[no explaination needed].Randle El has got me excited and I think Mathis may just save us when it really counts.
It all comes down to their attitude this year,if they are dumb enough to read the papers and get bigheads like last year we are going home again early,it's really that simple.
Game one; Steelers 37 Pats 24
GO STEELERS!!!
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Author: NE Matt
Comment: It could get ugly
Man, whats going to happen to you boys when they lose?Their consumed with winning the first game?It could set the tone for the whole season.I would love that.F'd up your last season and now the new one.Hey,Mac, I missed you down in New Orleans last Feb.hahahahaha
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Author: McMillen & Wife
Comment: Re: It could get ugly
Yadda, yadda, yadda...
Listen, instead of wasting bandwidth on this board, perhaps you should fire up "Whip It" by Devo and prepare to join them on the "One-Hit Wonders" list.
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Author: Tommy "Fleetwood & Julio" Coleman
Comment: DOMINATE DAT' ASS!
I didn't know Cindy was dating a Brown's player!
Steelers win by 45. It isn't a clear choice on the poll but I think you know where I stand on this.
DOMINATE DAT' ASS !
COME 'N' GET YOUR LOVE !
THEY GET NOTHING !
ZERO, ZIP, NADA !
Love,
Tommy by 45
P.S.--Check out the latest installment of The Outer Cycloid, my weekly column on SteelerGridiron.com.
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Author: Stuck in Maine
Comment: Actually, it's the second game...
Steelers fans like myself know that the Pats are only a warm up to their biggest challenge this year...the Oakland Raiders. After all, the Pats are an 11-5 team at best this season (most likely about 9-7), while the Raiders could possibly make the Super Bowl. Of course, the Raiders would have played the Steelers in the AFC Championship last year if not for an NFL rule as inane as the design of Boston roads.
Prediction: Steelers 23 Pats 21
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Author: NE Matt
Comment: Tired lines
"One hit wonder".That is original.
Nice analysis.Stats from last year are meaningless though I thought it interesting the Pats played 17 games against your 16.Oh well,old news.
Most important error in your piece was the best team on the Patriots is not ST it is defense.You will see.
Not much else to say till after the game.
BTW,cool site.Great job.
NE Matt
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Author: rb20
Comment: 1hitwonder
The Pats were a 1 hit wonder, make no mistake about it. They are not a perriniel scoring machine. It was "puro sapo", which is spanish for "pure luck". And it really started with the Oakland. I don't like the Raiders, but they got hosed. The Steelers play alot more consistantly, week in and week out.
Steelers 27 Pats 10
I am relieved to have gotten rid of Troy. Although he had improved a little last year, he was still inconsistant, especially dropping balls. Hanks the man,,,,,with sidekick RE. I was not at all thrilled with releasing Bowers. I hope we don't reget that move.
I hope Cowher doesn't rush Hines back into action too soon, it's a long season. Lets hope Farrior plays up to his potential, although I hope Fiala gets the start. He already knows the system. |
Author: MD Steeler
Comment: Let's be fair to the Pats
Were they one-hit wonders last year? Dunno, maybe.
Are they better, top to bottom, than the Steelers? I don't think so.
Do I think they'll beat the Steelers on Monday night? No.
Were they lucky last year? No way.
The Raiders and Steelers games last year came down to a close play. So what? That stuff happens all the time. If the Pats were so inferior to their competition, those games shouldn't have been decided by one play in the first instance.
Let's remember that the reason the Pats-Raiders game was so messy is that the Pats won home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. If that game had been played in Oakland, you can bet that it would have been a different game (although not necessarily a different outcome). But the Pats beat a lot of teams to earn the right to have a high-octane offense like the Raiders have to go up to Foxboro to play in that crap weather. The Raiders don't play particularly well in poor weather. That's one reason the Steelers kicked their asses in Three Rivers the year before on a cold and wet day. So it's not luck that the play of the game was a close fumble in a low scoring game in a blizzard. The Pats created that situation by winning the home field.
Against the Steelers, I'd normally say that two special teams TDs is a fluke, but the Steelers special teams sucked ass all year. They allowed a special teams TD just one week prior. The Pats knew that one area in which they were clearly superior to the Steelers was in special teams, and they took full advantage.
And in the Super Bowl, their defensive game plan was brilliant designed and brilliantly executed.
I think the Steelers are a better team, and if that AFC Championship is played 10 times, the Steelers win 7. But that's not how it works, and the team that wins that 3 times cannot be considered lucky. Sometimes they just play better.
I still think the Steelers will win on Monday, though.
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Author: The Chef
Comment: Tailgate Menu
It's all funny till someone gets a fried clam chip shoved in their eye. Or in their pumpkin. Want some sauce on that BellyChick?
MD with the exception of the 7 to 3 ratio you nailed it man.
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Author: yo mama
Comment: Shove
My wife is a bears fan and is still laughing about the 46-10 ass kicking Chicago hung on the Pats.Say Matt,what the hell are the Pats gonna do when Tom Brady gets knocked out for the season Monday night?.....Pay the Refs off like last year?
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Author: Jacksplat
Comment: hmmmm.....
Great observation MD----
For me personally, I'm looking to see if Cowher gets out coached by Bellychick. I know Cowher wasn't solely responsible for the two special team snafus in last year's game, but as has been said here before, Bellychick knew...he KNEW that was one of our weaknesses and exploited it to it's fullest potential. (all though there was a bit of luck involved there as well.)
This game is all about preparation...I know our guys are ready---let's hope our coach is as well...
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Author: NE Matt
Comment: Brady back up
yomama,
Since you asked our nbr 2 QB is Damon Huard.Hey!Don't laugh,hehe.He has looked pretty good this preseason.He played for the Fish a couple of years ago and won 5 games when Marino was hurt.Capable.Hope it doesn't come to that.
BTW, I will be back Tuesday.Either way.Thats a promise!
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Author: Tommy "Fleetwood & Julio" Coleman
Comment: NE MATT wants to be a Steeler
Call it the Patty Hearst Syndrome, Now, I know, NE Matt isn't exactly being held hostage here, except by his, thinly disguised desire to be a Steelers Fan. I've seen it before, first it's I'll be back on Tuesday then it's Wednesday,Thursday, October, March, April, 2005 etc. Matt if you call out to the great & terrible turbo tongue he may be able to help you.
In all sincerity,
Tommy
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Author: SteelFan
Comment: Patriots Game 1
I think we are way to cocky, thats right, i do. The Patriots are a very good, very physical team, and we all know what happened last time we were over confident against them. They became the Champs and we were all crushed. I hope Kordell, has better game this time, because we are not going to get much on ground against the Pats, and Belichick really seems to know how to game plan Kordell.
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Author: Man of Steel
Comment: Keep Focused
This is gonna be are toughest challenge all year, there the Champs, and Hines should keep his yap shut, and go out and play, we dont need to give them any more motivation.
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Author: John58
Comment: Ground Gains
Gonna be a tough one, hope we can do it on ground, not sure about Kordell vs Belichick defense game plan?
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Author: Chris
Comment: Cinderella
Patriots remind me of an Atlanta Super Bowl Team a few years ago (Except they went all the way!) As a football fan I loved their playoff run. As a Steeler Fan I wasn't that thrilled. Anyway they'll be lucky to make a wild card this year. Steelers have to much beef and are gonna control the game.
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Author: Matt
Comment: Not cocky.....just hoping, praying and wishing.
Believe me, I have to stomach the Patriots, media and fans living up here, and I know that they are (kills me to have to say this) tough.
As much as I want the Steelers to blow them out, reality is that this game will be under 28 points, extremely physical and won by the team that makes the least amount of mistakes.
Let's be real, they are the Super Bowl champs (hurts to even type it), its the first regular season game in their new stadium and its Monday night.
Now that we are finally over preseason, I am looking forward to the first game, but I am also weary of the outcome.
Don't get me wrong, I am true black & gold, but I have the same feeling about his game as I did going into the AFC championship game......concern.
I would really like to see the guys go into this without the talk. I used to hate hearing Baltimore run their mouths before games and we finally silenced them.
I hate to see the Steelers fall into that same trend.
Lets prove first, then talk.
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Author: SteelTowner
Comment: The Burgh
I also hate to admit the Patriots are very good, it will be a tough game. I also would like the steelers talk less and focus on the task at hand....the game, i must say i am a little concerned about our offense, and the patriots just manhandled the redskins high power offense, im a little worried.
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Author: AggiesFootball
Comment: STEELERS
i think the STEELERS are totally overrated...i dont even like the Patriots, but they will smoke the Steelers...but dont worry the Steelers will "talk" about how good they are, (lol)
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Author: Roger
Comment: Steelers Rule The Earth
Will be very tough game, hope we can move the ball against there defense, it doesnt have alot of name players but the Pats play well as a unit, Jerome has to be in high gear, dont think Brady will have much time in pocket.
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Author: Wadeski
Comment: Why are the Steelers talking trash?
This is what I don't understand. The Pats played the Steelers really tough in the AFC Championship game. They were ahead by 18 points at one point. The Patriot defense almost shut down the #3(?) offense for an entire half. Our special teams dominated (obviously), and our offense did just enough to win the game. I honestly think the Pats would get more respect if they had LOST to either the Steelers or the Rams, but because they won and did something no one expected they are considered a fluke.
I think Mondays game will be a good one, but I do think that coaching is going to be the difference in this one. Bellicheck has proven time and time again that he can get his defense prepared against a certain type of qb, and your qb is on his list. Sorry, but I see the Pats winning this game by about the same margin as the last matchup, 24-17.
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Author: yo mamma
Comment: game one
Wow! Wadeski,a Pats fan who isn't acting like a jerkoff,WELCOME!
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Author: anignoesfootbal
Comment: reply to Wadeski
Cuz i like what you said, makes alot of sense. Me being a Steeler fan i think you guys will pull it out just becuz its the first game and on monday nite but i truly believe you guys are going to fade.
You made me think about something else as well which i will mention later but man you guys were lucky last year. That Oakland stuff was big bull sh_t. And its sad when the best teams don't make it to the big game. But you guys made it interesting. Not the days before the game but actually playing it becuz everybody had the Pats picked to lose all three times. i've never seen a luck streak like that in my life and I've been watching ball along time.
Now you guys are on everybodies bullseye, hope you enjoyed the streak while it lasted. And the other thing I think from now on when people say whose the best team, they need to take in consideration, i mean heavy consideration who the coach is. Becuz Tom Brady should not have gotten MVP of SB, Bellichick should have. Coaching is so important in sports. And the last two games bellichick did such an awesome job against the Steelers and Rams. Even though i think Cowher's staff helped you guys win and not just with special teams. But the SB was incredible. The hitting against the Rams, the chip shots against Faulk and the other aspects I can't even explain becuz the Rams had the ball twice as long as the Pats had it and you guys still walked away with seven points at halftime. Most of all everything went you guys way. I truly believe it was GOD.
Like i said i think you guys will win monday nite BUT GET READY CUZ THERE COMIING AFTER Y'ALL.
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Author: BJEsteeler
Comment: Think
Look, a Steeler Fan even when suspect about an outcome should never say that we are going to lose. Get off Kordell's Back. Let him get it going this year and you can all clam up. We have a great team but I miss Earl Holmes until the othe LB's show me. We will be just fine. You didn't see anything in Preason but Monday night you will see.
About the loss that hurt last year. Sure they beat us but a KEY contributor to that win will not be there to bail the team out this year. Bledsoe is gone and he has always hurt us. Brady did no damage last year and couldn't wait to get out of the game. I am not talking smack, rather, PLAIN TRUTH. Brady won't like what he sees on offense when he is looking at our defense. It will be a defensive struggle! I believe we own the second half just like the Championship game only this time we shut them down in the first half. Pittsburgh wins 24-7
We will score a special teams touchdown! No doubt!
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Author: steelergridiron
Comment: PreGame
No smack…..just fact…Steelers 27 Patriots 10 also…..13-3
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Author: Will Smith
Comment: pats pre-game...
I've been on the fence about this game for a month, trying to get a good read on it.
looking at our own Karma...
MNF vs. slow start and take this one step further KS's MNF play (excellent) vs slow start...
Motivation is even as well...
we want revenge - they want to prove they are no fluke.
it's a stadium opening.
it's MNF
ST.. we'll kick away from Brown as much as possible, but I think our coverage has improved and our returns definatly have. It's not as big of an advantage for them as it was last year.
you know the KEY to this game is one player Tom Brady... and he's why we'll win. Tom Brady CAN NOT and WILL NOT beat this D. He couldn't move them last year and I've said many times this off-season Bledsoe was the ONLY reason they were in the superbowl last year.
he scored 7 by going downfield on our D, our one real weakness...Brady doesn't or can't go downfield.
If you try to dink and dunk our D we will kill you. The only time we were Vurnerable last year was with Holmes in the dime... Now we have Porter who has shown he can run stride for stride with backs and TE's
Brady is the type of QB we feast on. the pretty stationary QB without the arm to beat us deep. his balls lack zip too and I'll bet IF he plays the entire game Scott picks him off at least once.
I think Tom Brady can beat a lot of D's just not ours... he's the type of QB we feast on...
Steelers 24-10 Troy Brown returns a punt for a TD
-Drux |
Author: G. Brown
Comment: Steelers vs Patriots
Am I the only one who could see us getting beat?
1.Cowher's teams dont play well until week 3 at best.
2.The Steelers are STILL overconfident.
3.The Patriots looked good in the preseason .
4. The running game is still suspect.
5. Bell and Ward are coming off injuries.
6. Cowher's coaching .
Patriots 20
Steelers 3
Steelers finish 8-8
I hope to Hell I am dead wrong, but Ive got a bad feeling about this one.
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Author: Matt Schwab
Comment: Trash Talking
To the Steelers:
Please leave the trash talking for during and after the game.
Giving the Patriots additional fuel is the last thing you need to do.
Remember last year....Cower, Plax, Hines, Kordell.......use your abilities
and not your mouths!
Now go out and kick those chowda eatin, baked bean slurpin, over-rated fu*k
nuts!
Matt - New Hampshire
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