Steelers-Patriots prediction roundup
This is new. Or at least, new again.
A late season game with playoff implications? In New England, that usually means fighting for the No. 1 seed and a bye. But Sunday, it’s the Patriots needing a win to stay on pace in the wild card hunt.
The wild card. Huh. How, er, quaint.
The last time these Pats went to the postseason via the wild card, it was 1998, Pete Carroll was still in town, and the Pats were one-and-done after a 25-10 loss to the Jaguars.
Since then, the Patriots have been to the playoffs six times, four times winning the AFC title, three times winning the Super Bowl, each by way of the division crown.
Not that the division in ’08 is all but lost – the Pats are just a game behind the Jets heading into Week 13 – but New York has looked better than most AFC teams as of late, and has a cupcake schedule down the stretch.
Not so the Patriots.
Well, OK, that’s a lie because the remaining docket is somewhat of a joke.
After Sunday.
The Steelers come to town with their lockdown defense, the final “real” test for a team fighting for a chance to play beyond its 16th game. A loss and a Jets win, and the division is pretty much done. A loss and wins by the Ravens and Colts doesn’t make things any easier. Mix in the fact that wins by the Dolphins and Bills with a New England loss would even the three rivals, and people would be looking at the Patriots in a whole new light come Monday morning.
Sunday could be the difference between the playoffs and no playoffs, wild card or not. The last time we had one of those it was 2002, the last season New England was left off the guest list.
The division is usually wrapped up by now. This time, we’ve got some intrigue, which might not be as comfortable indeed, but in the long run, isn’t it more compelling?
Unless New England loses, in which case you can add confusing into the mix as well.
But hey, wild card t-shirts. We haven’t had those in some time.
Whom they’re picking
Our roundup of pundit picks for Sunday's Steelers-Patriots showdown:
- Jim McBride, Boston Globe: Patriots. "Steelers safety Anthony Smith guaranteed a victory last season against the Patriots. He was then summarily embarrassed by Tom Brady. Poor guy. Now he has to deal with Matt Cassel."
- Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Steelers 20, Patriots 17. “Here are two playoff teams in a Game of the Week-worthy duel: Pittsburgh's exceptional defense vs. the men of stormin' Matt Cassel. Give me the visiting Thieves, with extra time to prepare, over a Pats team coming off an emotional division win.”
- Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Patriots 20, Steelers 16. “In the last four weeks, Matt Cassel has outpassed Ben Roethlisberger by 93 yards a game. You know why I think he outplays Roethlisberger in Foxboro on Sunday? Because there's no part of the playbook Josh McDaniels doesn't trust him with now. With the leash off, I say Cassel will have enough gumption to lead four scoring drives.”
- Globe staff: Four of five pick the Patriots.
- ESPN.com staff: Split between the Patriots and Steelers (of those who have picked).
- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 24, Steelers 20. “Matt Cassel has thrown for at least 400 yards the past two games. Can he do it again? Not likely against the Pittsburgh defense that leads the league. But if the Pats are to win, they have to throw the ball. Cassel will have success with Randy Moss down the field. This will be higher scoring than we think.”
- CBS Sports staff: Four of six pick the Patriots to cover. (New England is a one-point favorite.)
- Cold, Hard, Football Facts: Steelers 20, Patriots 17. “In what looks to be a very even matchup, the Patriots’ vulnerability to the Big Play could be what ultimately decides this pivotal AFC showdown.”
- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Patriots 23, Steelers 20. Running on Pittsburgh usually is a futile effort, so expect the Pats, the team that dares to go pass-happy against stout defensive fronts, to stick with what has gotten them 79 points over the past two games. Running back Kevin Faulk will be a key target on screens and dumpoffs. Cassel can also tuck the ball and run if he's in trouble.”
- USA Today staff: Six of eight pick the Patriots.
- Yahoo! staff: Michael Silver goes with Pittsburgh. Jason Cole and Charles Robinson pick New England.
- Peter Schrager, FOXSports.com: Patriots 20, Steelers 13. “Matt Cassel became just the fifth QB in NFL history to throw for 400+ yards in back-to-back games last week, joining a crew that includes Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Phil Simms and the legend that is Billy Volek. Cassel was humble about the achievement, and in classic Belichickian fashion, shifted any and all focus on to Sunday's game versus Pittsburgh; a game I just can't see the revitalized Patriots losing at
home.” - T-Bone: Steelers.
- Our pick: Patriots 23, Steelers 21. In his last three games, Roethlisberger has tossed just one touchdown against three interceptions. Cassel, on the other hand: six touchdowns, one interception. Sunday won’t be as easy for the Patriots QB, going up against the No. 1 pass defense in the league, but on the flip side, don’t expect the banged-up Roethlisberger to take too much advantage of New England’s Swiss cheese secondary either.
The numbers overwhelmingly say Steelers, particularly at a time when defense counts most. But with a revived Patriots team playing at home post-Thanksgiving, when they are historically at their best (48-9 since 2001), it’s tough not to pick New England in a game it absolutely must have if the playoffs are to remain a possibility.
"in a game it absolutely must have if the playoffs are to remain a possibility" seems a little too dramatic. While it is an important game, if the Patriots lose and then win their last 4 they would be 11-5. Normally that gets it done and Baltimore has a brutal schedule down the stretch. If they were 6-5 and not 7-4 that quote may carry more weight. If they lose to Pittsburgh you could probably use that same quote next week (or would you just say the Patriots were done?)
The Patriots need this game. All of their losses have been to AFC teams (San Diego, Miami, Indy, & the Jets). Another loss means they would have to win out to make the playoffs, which isn't a guarantee. 10-6 is strong, but they'd lose a lot of tiebreakers and would probably be on the outside looking in (which wouldn't be the first time an AFC team finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs).
This game will be won or lost in the Patriots secondary; Deltha is swiss cheese; Hobbs is just too small to deal with tall,fast recievers; the young guys are showing potential, I say let the young guys play, no matter what. They will gain experience for next year. The young linebackers are looking very promising, the D line is among the best in the game. Wether they make the playoffs this year is not the most important thing. Tom will be back next year and the Patriots will be chomping at the bit!!! Oh yeh, Pats 31-- Steelers 28
why would you pick the steelers? im not 100% sure, but i dont think the steelers have beaten the pats in the regular season since 2004 (and the pats kicked their butts in the playoffs that year anyway). this year its the same story. pittsburgh is first place in their division becasue the rest of that division stinks. pittsburgh has bever impressed me. even when they won the super bowl i was not impressed (how hard is it to beat the seahawks?) i think tommorow is going to be a blow out. cassel will toss a few TD's, rothlesburger will get killed by the d-fence (probably throw some picks), and the pats will beat them like they did last year. predicion: NE 30 PIT 21
GO STEELERS!
Defence!!!!!!!!! The Pats are going to knock Big Ben down and the d-backs need to stay on coverage if he gets away. 12 - 4 is the only way they get in champ-hunt !!
Run from the gun will be the key to the ofence. If they win big the rest of playoff
contenders will be infor a fight. OOPS!!! Getting ahead a bit!!!! Go Pats
11-5 has gotta be good enough to get into the playoffs. 12-4 could potentially get us home field and a bye if the Jets faltered. As one of the prognosticators pointed out....the Steelers have had extra time and we're coming off an emotional win...we might take it on the chin, and if we do everyone will overreact and begin panicking around here, but trust me...remain calm because we will win our last 4...IF that happens.
Patriots 27 to steelers 17 BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF THE CHEATING STEELERS AND THERE DIRTY PLAYERS and Run over ANTHONY SMITH shut him down
We know Patriots can take steelers Patriots are better than they are. I see the Steelers always getting away w/ Dirty playing the Officals let them get away w/ it
Well i don.t understand why all these people think that ne will throw well against the number one defense in the league. I personally think the game will be a bit lopsided in pittburgh.s favor. Maybe casell has out thrown ben but look at the rushing dif 2. Ben has actually done fairly well passing while his backs are pulling a good trick too. My guess is pit-31 ne-17 how do you like them apples
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense will confuse Matt Cassell. If the Steeler linebackers can get in his face he won't have a chance. You will find out Sunday why Cassell has been second string for almost a decade. Boston, Quit worrying about the playoffs this year. Just hope Brady is ready to go next year. Steelers 27, Patriots 10.
The Pats must win this clash. Possibly win out to make playoffs(Div. or wildcard) GO PATS !
Should be a great game I am so excited!!! After that great BC win tonight I am hoping for more of the same tomorrow. Go Pats, secondary get it done ya dummies. J/K
Actually it's not dramatic. The Patriots lose, the season is pretty much over. They've answered all challenges since 2001 (even 2002 when they HAD to beat Miami at the end of the season, just didn't get help from Green Bay). There is no reason to expect Pittsburgh to win this game. The Pats have owned them, also, since 2001.
yah what Mike (comment 1.) said! -
I'm going to the Seattle game next week and you could use "it’s tough not to pick New England in a game it absolutely must have if the playoffs are to remain a possibility", should the Pats lose today.... but if you do....well.. you'll stink
I think it it is a critical game. They may need to win out, as strange as that sounds, if they want to control their own destiny. The Jets and Colts, with very easy schedules, will most likely win out. Losing brings Buffalo and more importantly, Miami, who they've split with, back in the picture. It's a critical game, no doubt about it. It may not appear now as "must win" because there are four more games after this. But, you never know how things will unfold. If they lose this one, they could look back on this as one they needed. They could look at all their games like that, but time is running out and playoff spots are shaking out. They're on the outside looking in right now. If they lose this one, they can effictively kiss the division goodbye and they'll have to get help from other teams down the stretch. Never has been, never will be Belichick's formula. They must win today. They must win the rest.
Paula, you should know a cheater when you see one. Belicheat is the king of them all - that's the only way you won the '04 playoff game - stealing signs. Oh, and Ryan Clark will be starting, not Anthony Smith. Unlike last year, Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith will be playing, too. You won't be able to run, and the #1 defense will shut Cassel down. If he gets 400 yards, it's only because he'll be playing from behind, trying to catch up. And Hines Ward will lay a clean hit on a larger defender and that defender will whine about a cheap shot. STEELERS 27 - Patriots 16.
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