The Week 15 (Looking Ahead) Patriots Thread

[DesertSteel]

I couldn't resist! The head coach inspired me...


Hey I was thinking, at least one get one more day of rest/prep than the Patriots!

[st33lersguy]

This thread could wait until after Baltimore. The Steelers still have to play a tough team that is also a division rival that always plays them tough

[DesertSteel]

This thread could wait until after Baltimore. The Steelers still have to play a tough team that is also a division rival that always plays them tough
Really? That's why it's called a looking ahead thread. As fans we don't have to worry about being prepared for the next team :-/

[cubanstogie]

Im not looking ahead toward pats game, Im looking ahead to Super Bowl. Hope its the Vikes but think it will be Eagles.

[DesertSteel]

Im not looking ahead toward pats game, Im looking ahead to Super Bowl. Hope its the Vikes but think it will be Eagles.
I’d kinda like to see the Vikings.

[Psycho Ward 86]

This thread could wait until after Baltimore. The Steelers still have to play a tough team that is also a division rival that always plays them tough

this game is an oddity because it has no bearing on the #1 seeding if we lose to the Patriots. lose to the patriots, and the only way we get the #1 seed is if the patriots lose to bills or jets at gilette stadium. and we all know the browns are more likely to win the superbowl than that. technically we could also lose the #1 seed if we lose to the texans or browns. but if that were the case, we really wouldnt deserve to go anywhere anyways

[steelreserve]

Really just hoping for a lot of injuries and fights on Monday. Gronkowski suspended an extra game for running onto the field and shouting "FRESHMAN!!!" while giving the ref a noogie. One of their unathletic generic white receivers trips and tears both ACLs on a fake reverse play, and gets his helmet stuck in Brady's cavernous ass. Brady out for the season after anal stabilization surgery. Just a few small things like that.

[Hawkman]

this game is an oddity because it has no bearing on the #1 seeding if we lose to the Patriots. lose to the patriots, and the only way we get the #1 seed is if the patriots lose to bills or jets at gilette stadium. and we all know the browns are more likely to win the superbowl than that. technically we could also lose the #1 seed if we lose to the texans or browns. but if that were the case, we really wouldnt deserve to go anywhere anyways

You do know that both games that the Pats have lost have been at home. They have struggled at home this year.

[DesertSteel]

You do know that both games that the Pats have lost have been at home. They have struggled at home this year.
They’ve won 15 in a row on the road.

[Hawkman]

They’ve won 15 in a row on the road.

Yes....and we need to end that streak.

Not saying we will, but.........

[86WARD]

technically we could also lose the #1 seed if we lose to the texans or browns. but if that were the case, we really wouldnt deserve to go anywhere anyways

I think that scenario is most likely...lol. But wouldn’t the win over NE pretty much give them a 2-game lead in the race for the 1 seed?

[Psycho Ward 86]

You do know that both games that the Pats have lost have been at home. They have struggled at home this year.

"struggled at home"

ha we wish. i think the world knows those 2 losses are an aberrant in an otherwise typical patriots season. at worst the patriots finish a "vulnerable" 13-3. remember everybody pointing aggressively at the patriots defense early in the season? omg look how vulnerable they are on defense. thats just a distant memory now. 9th in scoring defense (which is all that matters), and ever since their week 4 loss to the panthers theyve held every single team down to less points than their scoring average. 8 in a row.

Ben will need to continue to work his 4th quarter magic if we want to win

[fansince'76]

Instructive how the Steelers' 5th-ranked scoring defense supposedly isn't legit because they've faced mostly scrub QBs, but the Patriots' 9th-ranked scoring defense somehow is legit after facing mostly scrub QBs...

[teegre]

Instructive how the Steelers' 5th-ranked scoring defense supposedly isn't legit because they've faced mostly scrub QBs, but the Patriots' 9th-ranked scoring defense somehow is legit after facing mostly scrub QBs...

Taperiots face a bevy of subpar QBs: Dat defense is good.

Steelers face a bevy of subpar QBs: Da Stillers defense sucks.


Taperiots needed three missed FGs by Nick Folk to beat the lowly Buccaneers: Belichick has got moxie.

Steelers needed three game-winning FGs to beat the lowly Colts, Packers, & Bengals: Tomlin always loses to subpar teams.

et cetera

[fansince'76]

Taperiots needed three missed FGs by Nick Folk to beat the lowly Buccaneers: Belichick has got moxie.

I thought it was because Darth Hoodie employed Jedi/Sith Lord mind tricks to force Folk to miss. I get confused sometimes...

[teegre]

I thought it was because Darth Hoodie employed Jedi/Sith Lord mind tricks to force Folk to miss. I get confused sometimes...

Close. The Hoodie knew that Folk would miss those FGs, because his Magic 8-ball has told him it’d happen. It’s why he told Brady to throw so many incompletions during the game (for better drama at the end).

[AtlantaDan]

ESPN looking ahead too - announced this morning the Sunday NFL Countdown show is going on the road to be broadcast from Pittsburgh next Sunday

Not certain what sort of onlookers you get at the broadcast site from 11 am to 1 pm for the show with a 4:25 kickoff

[SteelMayhem72]

If any of you are watching the colts and bills game...the colts just got screwed going up 8-7 then long after the play called a flag for offensive pass interference on the 2 point conversion (they knew if buffalo loses we automatically clinch a playoff spot) after they converted it, guy was blocking within a yard and called it. Luckily they tied it with the extra point but this game is being played in a monster lake effect snow storm. I know we will more than likely get in the playoffs but I believe with a minute left in the game buffalo would have never came back and lost. Im a conspiracy theorist and that just reeked of it to me...lol. Colts just picked off a pass....so we can clinch a playoff spot even before we play tonight if the colts win. I know, i know...i want the #1 seed too!!!!

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If any of you are watching the colts and bills game...the colts just got screwed going up 8-7 then long after the play called a flag for offensive pass interference on the 2 point conversion (they knew if buffalo loses we automatically clinch a playoff spot) after they converted it, guy was blocking within a yard and called it. Luckily they tied it with the extra point but this game is being played in a monster lake effect snow storm. I know we will more than likely get in the playoffs but I believe with a minute left in the game buffalo would have never came back and lost. Im a conspiracy theorist and that just reeked of it to me...lol. Colts just picked off a pass....so we can clinch a playoff spot even before we play tonight if the colts win. I know, i know...i want the #1 seed too!!!! of course vinaterri misses the game winning FG

[Born2Steel]

If this league should survive long enough, what cities in other countries do you guys/gals see getting franchises, and what are some cool nicknames for those teams?

:bananalama:

[fansince'76]

If any of you are watching the colts and bills game...the colts just got screwed going up 8-7 then long after the play called a flag for offensive pass interference on the 2 point conversion (they knew if buffalo loses we automatically clinch a playoff spot)...

I would think the Steelers still clinch even if the Bills/Colts game ends in a tie as the best the Bills could finish in that scenario would be 9-6-1 and the Steelers already have 10 wins.

[SteelMayhem72]

I would think the Steelers still clinch even if the Bills/Colts game ends in a tie as the best the Bills could finish in that scenario would be 9-6-1 and the Steelers already have 10 wins.

Yes a tie we would clinch a playoff spot as well...which is very likely now(thanks to the snow)

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of course buffalo converts a long pass

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well buffalo won....so much for that...lol

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cleveland still couldnt win...up 21-14 with a min left and still lose in overtime?????

[Psycho Ward 86]

Yes a tie we would clinch a playoff spot as well...which is very likely now(thanks to the snow)

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of course buffalo converts a long pass

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well buffalo won....so much for that...lol

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cleveland still couldnt win...up 21-14 with a min left and still lose in overtime?????

Bears look like the best chance for them to not go 0-16.

If they get to us with no wins yet, i bet we get a dogfight to close out the season

[fansince'76]

If they get to us with no wins yet, i bet we get a dogfight to close out the season

If the Steelers have HFA locked up and they play their 3rd and 4th stringers against the Browns' starters, yeah, probably.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

If this league should survive long enough, what cities in other countries do you guys/gals see getting franchises, and what are some cool nicknames for those teams?

:bananalama: The Milledgeville Accusers ?

[AtlantaDan]

Bears look like the best chance for them to not go 0-16.

Bears own the AFC North - will go 4-0 with win over Browns Christmas Eve :sofunny:

[Lady Steel]

If this league should survive long enough, what cities in other countries do you guys/gals see getting franchises, and what are some cool nicknames for those teams?

:bananalama:


North Korean Nukes

Oh wait... That's a country. :doh:

[Psycho Ward 86]

If the Steelers have HFA locked up and they play their 3rd and 4th stringers against the Browns' starters, yeah, probably.

no, i fully mean even with our starters in.

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If the Steelers have HFA locked up and they play their 3rd and 4th stringers against the Browns' starters, yeah, probably.

no, i fully mean even with our starters in.

[BlackAndGold]

Hope they prove me wrong but I'm not looking forward to this ass kicking.

[st33lersguy]

This team has won too many close games against too many inferior teams. Teams like that tend to get exposed by superior teams, and the Pats will certainly expose them

[Lady Steel]

Maybe, maybe not. Any given Sunday.

[fansince'76]

I hope Ben has another 500+ yarder in him next week. With this defense, they're probably going to need it...

[JayC]

i fully expect an ass whopping so anything else would be a positive surprise.

[86WARD]

This isn’t going to be pretty...I’m sticking with my prediction of a 45-20 ass whooping...maybe with Shazier it comes down to 35-38 to 20...but this defense can’t stop the run and can’t stop the quick pass or pass to the open zone and that’s what Tommy Boy has made a living on...the Patriots are beatable...but you have to play smart and play error free because they normally do...

[AtlantaDan]

Patriots open as 2&1/2 point favorites next Sunday - that seems low

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/

No over/under posted yet - sportsbooks perhaps debating whether the first 100 point over/under should be posted

[Psycho Ward 86]

This isn’t going to be pretty...I’m sticking with my prediction of a 45-20 ass whooping...maybe with Shazier it comes down to 35-38 to 20...but this defense can’t stop the run and can’t stop the quick pass or pass to the open zone and that’s what Tommy Boy has made a living on...the Patriots are beatable...but you have to play smart and play error free because they normally do...

yeah our man coverage has looked pretty bad as well. that being said, i feel strangely optimistic about the game because Ben is arguably better than ever.

even if we lose this one and meet the patriots in the playoffs away from home, i still like our chances even if the defense cant stop brady

[st33lersguy]

This isn’t going to be pretty...I’m sticking with my prediction of a 45-20 ass whooping...maybe with Shazier it comes down to 35-38 to 20...but this defense can’t stop the run and can’t stop the quick pass or pass to the open zone and that’s what Tommy Boy has made a living on...the Patriots are beatable...but you have to play smart and play error free because they normally do...

Yeah, you have to play perfect against New England, and this team seems completely incapable of that right now. The strategy of waiting until crunch time will show up and hope you can pull it out in the end won't work against New England.

2 more potential issues, both anyone could probably guess:
1. Coaching, New England has so much better coaching, the coaching will get outclassed
2. Refs, Goodell's refs have been trying to screw over the Steelers all year long, and no doubt the refs in this game will be heavily biased against Pittsburgh

[teegre]

yeah our man coverage has looked pretty bad as well. that being said, i feel strangely optimistic about the game because Ben is arguably better than ever.

even if we lose this one and meet the patriots in the playoffs away from home, i still like our chances even if the defense cant stop brady

The absence of Shazier WILL be exploited.

But, BB will make up for that difference. Oh, and no one can stop AB.

[st33lersguy]

Need Haden back like 2 weeks ago

[DesertSteel]

I was so worried about Bell with that shot on his knee. So relieved when he came back out.

[BlackAndGold]

I was so worried about Bell with that shot on his knee. So relieved when he came back out.

Jefferson I believe was the one who went low, little punk was tired of getting ran over so he went low.