I Have Yet to See A Good Reason for Going Against Pittsburgh

[airbag]

Forget about the last meeting between Pittsburgh and NE. Also forget about last week. A team's performance during the previous week tells you very little about how it will perform this week.

The way I see it, there are only 2 positions, quarterback and placekicker, where New England beats Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a better running game, better O-line, better D-line (especially since Seymour is hurt), better linebackers, and I'd say the D-backfields are even. Plus Pittsburgh is at home and getting points.

I can't see a good reason why I should go against Pittsburgh. Please don't tell me about history. It's meaningless. Fine, the Pats won 2 SuperBowls. But it's not like they dominated. I think it's safe to say that when a team wins a game with a last second field goal, that either team could've won the game. Well, both the Pats wins came on last second field goals. Plus, they had some unbelievable good luck against the Raiders the first time. My point is: throw all that out the window. Look at these 2 teams, and give me a rational, logical reason why the Pats will win.

 

[NEWPORT]

Forget about the last meeting between Pittsburgh and NE. Also forget about last week. A team's performance during the previous week tells you very little about how it will perform this week.

The way I see it, there are only 2 positions, quarterback and placekicker, where New England beats Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a better running game, better O-line, better D-line (especially since Seymour is hurt), better linebackers, and I'd say the D-backfields are even. Plus Pittsburgh is at home and getting points.

I can't see a good reason why I should go against Pittsburgh. Please don't tell me about history. It's meaningless. Fine, the Pats won 2 SuperBowls. But it's not like they dominated. I think it's safe to say that when a team wins a game with a last second field goal, that either team could've won the game. Well, both the Pats wins came on last second field goals. Plus, they had some unbelievable good luck against the Raiders the first time. My point is: throw all that out the window. Look at these 2 teams, and give me a rational, logical reason why the Pats will win.

I depends on what your motive is.

Are looking for reasons as a FAN or as a gambler. Because your write up above sounds like a Fan, not a gambler.

FIVE gambling reasons right off the bat.

1. Pitt already beat this team, and revenge is in Patriots favor

2. Corey Dillon is very healthy and was not part of the last game. I think any smart person would know this might make a difference in this game.

3. Bill Belichek is a Master of Defense schemes

4. Ben Rothlisberger has struggled lately

5. It is supposed to snow during the game, and I think this favors the Patriots

Hey I will by no mean gurantee you a win on either side, Could Pitt win...SURE SURE they can

Can the Patriots win...SURE SURE they can

That is why if you put money on the game it is called GAMBLING

And if you do not, then you are a FAN WATCHING A GOOD FOOTBALL GAME, where the winner goes to the SUPER BOWL


NEWPORT

 

[ElIguana]

I'll give you 1 good reason....NE is 15-2-1 ATS this year!!!!!!

That being said, I love home underdogs, especially when they can play defense. Just think twice before betting too much against the Patriots. They find ways to win. GL

 

[Waterproof]

1. Pitt already beat this team, and revenge is in Patriots favor

2. Corey Dillon is very healthy and was not part of the last game. I think any smart person would know this might make a difference in this game.

3. Bill Belichek is a Master of Defense schemes

4. Ben Rothlisberger has struggled lately

5. It is supposed to snow during the game, and I think this favors the Patriots

1. Revenge? in the Playoffs? Don't both teams want to win? Isn't revenge ment for regualer season games where one team cares more than the other?

2. But if you throw away last game...

3. He is good coach

4. But if you throw away last week...

5. How does snow favor the Pats? If anything it favors Pitt because they run the ball more.

Who really sounds like the fan here?

 

[husker]

ROOKIE QB!! bill belichek. brady undefeated in post season two time sb mvp. pitt will make mistakes ne wont.

 

[Grogan]

Airbag.....Pittsburgh is a terrific team, no question about it, but I think the Pats are clearly the pick here, for a few reasons.

Coaching. Coaching is maybe the single most important aspect of playoff football, providing an across-the-board edge to the team with the better head coach & staff. I like Bill Cower, he's a good motivator, and it's good to see him back in the AFC title game. But Cower against Belichick is a mismatch.

Quarterback. You're conceding the Patriots' edge here, but sort of selling it short. The QB is the general, and with all props to Big Ben and his terrific rookie run, he's clearly faltering, and that goes beyond just last week. He can always turn it around, but the title game against the Pats isn't the best place to try and do that.

Now, clear edges in coaching and quarterback are HUGE advantages at any time, but particularly playoff games.

You then get into unit comparisons, which honestly can be overanalyzed--linebackers vs. linebackers, etc. Number one, it's how they play as a TEAM. Number two, I'd probably take issue with several of those areas (linebacker is definitely one) with the exception of maybe the O-lines.

As far as the weather being mentioned, what you've seen in years' past is that the weather actually hurts the running game more than the passing game, so at best that's a wash for Pittsburgh.

Lastly, you can say "please don't tell me about history" all you want, but it's simply foolish to act as though the experience, playoff saavy, and the battle-tested nature of the New England team should be "thrown out the window." The fact is, these aren't just two teams playing a vacuum, and if you're handicapping this game, the experience of a team going for 3 super bowls in 4 years is a significant factor, whether you like it or not.

Pittsburgh is at home, that's an advantage for the Steelers. If it was in New England, this line would be about 10. But that's about it. So take the 3 if you want, but I think it will be cold comfort that you started the game up a field goal when it ends and you're down double digits.

 

[airbag]

Actually, you're right, I did leave out coaching. I'd definitely give the nod to Belichick over Cowher here. But I stand by what I said about history. The ONLY way that history can come into play is if it gets into the players' heads. And when we start talking about psychology, alot of other factors can affect this as well. So, while Pittsburgh players may be thinking about 3 years ago, Dillon might get some Cincinnati flashbacks of playing the Steelers as well.

Also, there is no way that the Pats would be favored by 10 in Foxboro. Maybe 7.5, at the most.

Finally, when you're trying to make money, you can't be a fan. You must make rational decisions and must set aside all emotions. Believe me, if I felt the Pats would cover this, I'd be on them like saran wrap.

 

[Grogan]

That's funny, after I typed 10 I thought, "nah, that's not right, probably 7, 7.5" but I was too lazy to change it. You're right that that's what it would be.

I also agree completely about leaving fan emotions out of the equations. How being a fan CAN help is just having a very thorough knowledge of the team, even beyond what you normally would handicapping.

But huge disagreement on history as it relates to the nature of the team--you simply CAN'T leave that out of the equation. The Patriots' proven track record is a valuable factor to consider, and you're kidding yourself not to throw it into the mix here. Prominently. Just as if the were to Steelers win here and win the Super Bowl, and then another, that would be a factor to consider in their favor.

 

[airbag]

But huge disagreement on history as it relates to the nature of the team--you simply CAN'T leave that out of the equation. The Patriots' proven track record is a valuable factor to consider, and you're kidding yourself not to throw it into the mix here. Prominently. Just as if the were to Steelers win here and win the Super Bowl, and then another, that would be a factor to consider in their favor.

We'll have to agree to disagree here. But to me, it's still just a football game. These guys have been doing it since they were little kids. Each team tries to win each play. Whichever team wins the most plays usually wins the game. I just think the Steelers have more horses to win more plays.

 

[mpiorkow]

December 26th, N.England 23 at NY Jets 7

January 15th, NY Jets 17 at Pitt 20, OT

Here is one reason.....................:nono5:

 

[THawk+]

I have not posted before as posting is not a big thing to me... I have been around for a couple of years and decided I should start posting as there are some good conversations I am missing out on...Anyway

Yes the Steelers are a very good team as well as the Pats...

Look at this line...Does it seem right???Should Pitt be a dog at home to anyone..

In conference championship games if the home team is a dog there is good reason for it...Yes last week had something to do with this linem but is this line going to convince you to change your mind is you like Pitt or NE...

The line really does not come into play very often in the playoffs so go with who you think the winner will be...This line was put up because everyone would play NE so people see Pitt at home getting points and think that is a bargain...Yes in the regular season it would be but in the playoffs it is not...

They want you to take Pitt as the home dog...The first game these two teams played is irrelevant as it was a letdown situation by the Pats and Piitt was up so throw that game out the window...I look at it this way if the Jets can stop Pitt well what will NE defense do as they are a far superior unit than the Jets...

This just some points no one has brought up and thought I would add them...

 

[Grogan]

We'll see! That's why this stuff is so much fun. GL w/your plays.

 

[Budman]

Cowher vs Belichek. Don't say history doesn't mean anything!!!!!

 

[airbag]

...I look at it this way if the Jets can stop Pitt well what will NE defense do as they are a far superior unit than the Jets...

That's not what the stats show.

Overall Defense - YPG:
Jets #5
Pats #7

Rushing Yrds allowed:
Jets #7
Pats #9

Passing Yrds allowed:
Jets #14
Pats #17

And I'd say that the real difference between these 2 teams would be even more, since the Pats D had 2 games against an anemic Jet offense, while the Jets D had 2 games against an excellent Pats offense.

 

[THawk+]

Airbag those are season stats...Who would you want on the field in a one game playoff???

Jets defense or Pats defense....Could the Jets have held the Colts to 3 points???

I do not think so as the Pats have a better defense than the Jets and better coaching by far, so looking at the season rankings does not tell the whole story
of the two teams...

When the season is on the line would you want Belichick or Edwards???

If Herman Edwards was not so conservative we would not be having this conversation...

 

[THawk+]

Airbag

Denver was a top defense by stats also and we all know what a sham they were...

So stats don't always tell the whole story....

 

[shortstop]

I disagree with the Running backs and Linebackers, I'll take NE in both of those areas. That being said, It's sure going to be a tough call. Looks like the weather may be a significant factor here. Under may be the play

 

[Highdaddy]

im so sick of hearing about Pitts running game. as far as im concerned it sucks! I dont think any team in the NFL fears fat as$ Jerome Bettis or Staley. The offensive line must be solid, thats it. Neither of these teams are good running teams, they both live off the pass.

 

[THEGAME9000]

here's a reason for ya,

since 2001 tom brady has faced an opposing qb twice in the same season 13 times, he's 13-0 in the 2nd matchup.

nobody learns faster than brady or gameplans better than belichick.

GAME.

 

[TheGlue]

I think revenge is way overrated .Steelers do have the better D ,and N.E. has the better O, maybe .Flip a coin boys. I like D-fence.