[MauroDarudo]

STEELERS

LOST!

[Ambassador]

NE has to win against these guys finally

[Petrushkaukrop]

New England (1-1, 0-1 away) at Pittsburgh (2-0, 1-0 home)

Why To Watch
The Patriots actually appear vulnerable with QB Tom Brady looking very human last week and their running game mediocre at best. No one wants to exploit those weaknesses more than a Pittsburgh team that has lost two AFC Championship Games to New England in the past four year. The Steelers run defense will look to shut down Patriots RB Corey Dillon and then pressure Brady into making some mistakes. However, don't count Brady and Co. out just yet. Look for the Patriots to keep Pittsburgh off balance with their play-calling and formations. If the Steelers play with too much emotion and players try to make too much happen, it will create seams New England's offense is capable of exploiting.

The last time these two teams met, Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and fumbled once. He will be eager to prove he can move and still protect the football going up against this defense but it's important that he stay patient and take what the defense gives him. New England does a good job of masking its coverage and it has the playmakers to turn a Roethlisberger mistake into a costly turnover.


When the Patriots have the ball
Rushing: New England's offensive line is having problems sustaining their blocks and creating seams for Dillon. That doesn't bode well for the Patriots, as they will be going up against one of the stoutest front sevens in the league. Pittsburgh's front three does an excellent job of controlling the line of scrimmage and its linebackers flow to the ball quickly making it difficult for blockers to get into position at the second level. Look for the Patriots to try to open up their running game and mask their inconsistent play up front in two ways. The first is misdirection. Running counters, draws and possibly reverses will keep the Steelers on their toes. If they react to the initial action of the play, they create better blocking angles. Dillon also has the vision to recognize when defenders are out of position. Even if Pittsburgh's defenders just hesitate a moment longer than normal to diagnose the play, it will make it easier for New England's blockers to get into position.

The second way the Patriots will try to open up the running game is running out of multiple-receivers sets. Spreading the field forces the outside linebackers to move out of the box, creating seams in the middle. Dillon is a perfect fit for a spread scheme because he is a powerful runner that rarely goes down with the first hit, so he doesn't always need a lead blocker. Backup Kevin Faulk's running style is far different than Dillon's, but he too will benefit from the multiple-receiver sets. Faulk reads blocks well, he explodes through holes and he is elusive enough to make defenders miss. It's also worth noting that the he is an excellent receiver that runs screens well. The Steelers have to respect his big-play ability and that will help keep them on their heels.

Passing: The ability of New England's offensive line to adjust to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone blitz is critical to its success. LeBeau is very creative and he will frequently blitz Brady from different areas of the field, using several players from various spots. For example, he will walk SS Troy Polamalu up to the line and have him turn downfield like he is going to run with the receiver before spinning back upfield to rush the passer. With LeBeau running this and other delayed blitzes, the Patriots' pass blockers must stay patient and aware. They can't be too quick to help one another and have two men commit to one defender because it will create a seam for the defender coming on the delayed blitz. It's also important they keep their heads up so they can see where the pressure is coming from and get into position to stalemate the blitzing defender at the line. It's also worth mentioning that New England didn't handle the noise well last week and it should be even louder at Heinz Field. Brady must find a way to prevent the Steelers from anticipating the snap without drawing false start penalties.

One of the ways New England will try to counter LeBeau's blitz package and help its offensive line is its multiple-receiver sets. Moving the linebackers out of the box means they have to cover more ground to get to Brady, which should give him a little more time. In addition, the Patriots' versatility will help them mask these formations and keep the Steelers off-balance. Daniel Graham and Ben Watson can line up at receiver or tight end. If the Steelers stay in their base defense when both tight ends are in the game, New England can line Graham and Watson up on the outside. The Patriots can line Graham, who is the better blocker of the two, at tight end and run the ball if LeBeau goes to his nickel package and both tight ends are in the game.

When the Steelers have the ball
Rushing: Parker is running hard and deserves the national attention he's receiving, but it's important to remember that he is benefiting from excellent blocking and a scheme that keeps defenses off-balance. Here's an example: Pittsburgh runs a pro set with two backs lined up yards deep in the backfield and a tight end lined up opposite two receivers at the line of scrimmage. Parker is lined up to the side of the tight end and FB Dan Kreider lines up opposite him. At the snap of the ball, the backside guard pulls, Kreider acts as a lead blocker and Roethlisberger hands the ball off to Parker. Once Parker gets the ball in his hands, he has seven blockers in front of him including OC Jeff Hartings. One of the reasons this play is so successful is the blocking of the receivers. Hines Ward is one of the most physical receivers in the league and Antwaan Randle El makes up for his lack of tenacity with relentlessness. New England's defensive backs will have to play with great intensity and avoid getting sealed inside.

There is reason to believe the Patriots will be able to slow Parker down however. While New England utilizes three-man fronts, it's had its most success stopping the run with the 4-3, so expect it to run more four-man fronts this week. That means Richard Seymour will slide inside and line up opposite NT Vince Wilfork. Seymour is one of the best in the league and Wilfork is a mountain, so they should have success clogging up the middle. One of the staples of the Steelers' running game is using the fullback or pulling guard to kick the outside linebacker out. OLBs Mike Vrabel and Willie McGinest have the instincts to recognize where blocks are coming from and the lower body strength to anchor at the point of attack.

Passing: New England will throw a number of different looks at Roethlisberger in an effort to disrupt his rhythm and force him to hold onto the ball longer because he needs more time to read the defense. One of the looks Roethlisberger can expect to see is a three-man rush with eight defenders dropping back into zone coverage. This forces him to throw into tighter spaces and makes it more difficult for the receiver to get open, giving the three-man rush more time to get upfield. This approach has been effective in the past but the Patriots must emphasis playing with great discipline and staying home when they drop into zone coverage going up against Roethlisberger. Defenders often get away with shading one side when the quarterback moves out of the pocket, but Roethlisberger has the arm strength to effectively throw across the field when he rolls out. His ability to put zip on passes while on the move is impressive and it forces zone defenses to maintain good spacing. If the Patriots' defenders start to cheat over when they see him on the move, it will create a void in the coverage he's capable of exploiting.

Don't be surprised to see WR Troy Brown line up at corner, as Randall Gay, Tyrone Poole and Chad Scott are all expected to miss this game with injuries. Brown has clearly lost a step with age but he still has the instincts and cover skills to hold his own underneath. He also has the ball skills to provide some big plays so Roethlisberger had better not underestimate him.

[padlabtard]

STEELERS

[Madjostok]

The Patriots have already lost a tackle and a safety to imjuries. Not so good for NE.

[mdUzAMbG]

The Patriots have already lost a tackle and a safety to imjuries. Not so good for NE.

I guess it didn't matter.

[HassFks]

LOST!

YUP THEY DID...They just gave up in the second half,what a sorry game.

[Forex Autopilot]

NE has to win against these guys finally

Huh? January 23rd, 2005? I thought so.