NFL Open Thread: Steelers vs Patriots
posted at 10:36 am on November 30, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
All right, let’s just get this out there. After flying 1500 miles to Southern California and watching the Fighting Irish get the slainte knocked out of them, I deserve a break — and I hope the Steelers can provide it at New England today. It should be a good game to watch, but I’ll be visiting family and friends today, so I’ll have to catch the updates as I can. Both teams need the win, especially the Steelers, whose schedule only gets tougher after this. Can the Steelers’ D force the inexperienced-but-impressive Matt Cassel into a few mistakes?
This matchup has a bit less appeal with QB Tom Brady and SS Rodney Harrison out, but it should be a hard-hitting showdown nonetheless. A few important questions: QB Matt Cassel has improved every week, but can he handle the stellar Steelers defense? Can Pittsburgh’s linebackers cover WR Wes Welker in the slot, or will SS Troy Polamalu shadow him? Is the Patriots’ defense up to stopping QB Ben Roethlisberger, and how will that group try to exploit the Steelers’ protection schemes? Expect Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to use a lot of no-huddle to neutralize Pittsburgh’s pressure schemes and substitution packages.
The Steelers have a couple of days more rest than the Patriots after their Thursday night win. Hopefully that will give them the edge. I’ll pick Steelers over the Patriots, 21-17.
Here’s a game-day question for Giants fans: can they win without Plaxico Burress, who shot himself in the leg Friday night? They’re playing a tough Washington Redskins on the road. They’re 3-0 in the division, but the Burress distraction may give the Skins an edge. I’ll predict an upset, 24-14 Washington.
Final question: How is Baltimore only a six-point favorite over the hapless Cincinnati Bengals?
Blowback
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That x-mas shopping is a b*tch.
JiangxiDad on November 30, 2008 at 10:38 AM
This is going to be a tough game for the Steelers. They seem to have more and more injuries every week, yet they continue to overcome that weakness.
However, I think this is the week where it catches up to them.
As a Steelers fan, this pains me to make this prediction.
Pats 38 Steelers 17
Samhain on November 30, 2008 at 10:40 AM
This is the only time I ever root for the Steelers. Want them to win by 50.
Tommy_G on November 30, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Forget NFL games, here’s the best game-day smackdown you’ll ever read: Steyn taking apart leftist “Journalism
AbortionistDoctor” over quoting Khomeini etc. It makes games played by last season’s Patriots seem like losses in comparison.andycanuck on November 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Steelers are one of the three teams I root for. Jets, Eagles and Steelers. Really five, the other two are Penn State and any team that’s playing the Giants. I picked the Steelers on the card, go Big Ben.
Jeff on November 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Go Steelers! Knock the Pats another game behind the Jets.
And as always, Go Pack Go!
BadgerHawk on November 30, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Plax is sure to face some games suspended after recovering from the injury. Can the G-men win without him, yes. Pats and Steelers should be a great game.
koolbrease on November 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Patriots 30
Steelers 24
SoulGlo on November 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Pats v. Steelers
Pats are a very sane, aggressive, rock ribbed team in the middle of a state mostly populated by phony liberals, crooked liberals, academic liberals, dreamy liberals, demented liberals and…what am I saying they are all the same thing! Pats will probably win despite their problems.
G-men v. Skins.
I don’t know how I have gotten this old without shooting myself in the calf while clubbin’. The skins (whose coach rides bikes with W.) will win.
Baltimore v. Bengals.
And the spread looks like a gift? Ha The Raisins are meaner and quirkier than Pelosi, Dodd, Frank and reid. Don’t believe me? Check their history.
IlikedAUH2O on November 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM
i sure miss Bryan and his pro-Cowboy bias. BRING BACK BRYAN!!!
stormin1961 on November 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
The Giants have been winning all year without Plaxico, so why should anything change?
Giants 33-20.
JammieWearingFool on November 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Yes
wehe can.hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I’d like to see the Steelers pull it out.
Mojave Mark on November 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
There.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 11:26 AM
The Pats need this win if they are to have any chance to do something in the playoffs. So, look for the Pats to have a big day against Ben and the boys. Pats 27 Steelers 24. Good Game to watch…
RedSoxNation on November 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
It doesn’t matter, Ed. Next weekend the Cowboys are gonna turn the Steelers into tinfoil.
Limerick on November 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM
They say “defense” wins the big games….and looking at Pitt’s ppg’s allowed, they are the best in the NFL.
That said, this will be a tough one for the Steelers.
On the college scene, the Sooners could spot a team 50 points and still win by an average of 12 points.
Rovin on November 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I can’t help but save this quote Lim. Do you like yur crow medium or well done? :)
Rovin on November 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM
opps, thought this was blogging the Qu’ran.
BL@KBIRD on November 30, 2008 at 12:00 PM
When he’s not ragging on the Jets he’s wishing ill on the Giants.
*sigh*
Jazz Shaw on November 30, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Oh yeah, and if “tradition” holds, Plaxico Burress will be playing for Al Davis next year.
Rovin on November 30, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I hope. Even though I’m not a Steelers fan, I hate the Patriots just like 3/4 of the country does.
Achilles on November 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Go Pats.
eski502 on November 30, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Matt Cassel is gonna tear the Steelers up
eski502 on November 30, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Not the brightest bulb in the marquee, Plaxico believed his buddies when they told him that was “the price of admission” to the club. The manager of Shooters had no comment.
NightmareOnKStreet on November 30, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Steelers will win and I don’t want to hear different.
If you’re not a Steel fan then you are probably a liberal. ‘Nuff said.
Bishop on November 30, 2008 at 12:26 PM
It will be a tough game for the Steelers now that Cassel is playing “hellified” ball.
V-I-K-I-N-G-S! Skol Vikings, let’s go!
WaltDakota on November 30, 2008 at 12:28 PM
g-men had no problem winning last week without plax!
lmwyman on November 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM
The Skins must destroy the evil Giants. My four most hated teams are 1. Dallas 2. NYG 3. Philly/Baltimore (tie). It gives me heartburn when any of these four do well and the Skins don’t, so another loss to the giants would be awful. Also, it needs to be Santana Moss doing the destroying. I’m playing my wife in fantasy this week and damnit I want to win, even if it does mean sleeping on the couch.
hump1201 on November 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM
hahahahahahahaha, funny. Go Pats. The only conservatives in New England are Pats fans. Plus, if you don’t root for the Red, White and Blue your a liberal.
eski502 on November 30, 2008 at 12:36 PM
BBQ (Hickory) please.
Limerick on November 30, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Patriots 36 Steelers 27
Geronimo on November 30, 2008 at 12:38 PM
“…Expect Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to use a lot of no-huddle” and ill-gotten video tapes of Steeler offensive signals to try and defeat the Super Steelers…
Most pundants are lined up against the Steelers, as a die-hard fan I say Steelers 27, Cheating Pats 10
Zorro on November 30, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I run an on-line pick-em pool (straight pick-em, no points spread or fantasy stuff) and I picked NE to win today, but only because they’re playing in NE. Had the game been played in Pitt I would have picked the Steelers.
Liberty or Death on November 30, 2008 at 12:41 PM
eski502 on November 30, 2008 at 12:36 PM
One word: Choke. :-\
Five rings to rule them all and in the darkness bind them.
Bishop on November 30, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Patriots have barely been tested this year.
Steelers 24 Pats 13
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 12:47 PM
A disclaimer ….if Pats are not cheating
Steelers 35 Pats 3
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Tough choice, I love the Patriots!!! So, sorry Steelers. I am going for the Pats. Hmmmmmm, not good at predicting the score. Go Pats Go Go Go!!!!
sheebe on November 30, 2008 at 12:50 PM
If you’re not a Steel fan then you are probably a liberal. ‘Nuff said.
Bishop on November 30, 2008 at 12:26 PM
*cries because she is not a Liberal*
sheebe on November 30, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Now…now Bishop, no need to resort to name calling! ;-)
Liberty or Death on November 30, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Patriot fans are closet communists. And wife-beaters.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 1:06 PM
That really is the question. When he’s on, they win. When he’s off, they lose. The Black and Gold are way too dependent on one man.
Ah, but the Penguins game last night, smearing the Devils. That was a beautiful thing to see, especially after the fiasco against Buffalo.
rightwingprof on November 30, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Now…now Bishop, no need to resort to name calling! ;-)
Liberty or Death on November 30, 2008 at 12:59 PM
My apologies to the non-Steeler fans out there; the delusional, effete, limp-wristed pantywaists who have somehow come to the deranged conclusion that NOT being a Steel fan is acceptable.
So I promise, no more name-calling. *rolls eyes at the fools who support other NFL teams*
Bishop on November 30, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Were the Pats “cheating” when they won the Super Bowl against the Giants? Oh, that’s right, they didn’t win.
Were they “cheating” when they lost to Miami earlier this season?
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 1:39 PM
I was kidding sheesh. But lets run with it. My own posts indicate that Pats would lose even if cheating. Are you saying that those that cheat always win?
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Another point… Pats did admit to cheating so if you are throwing barbs direct them to Bellicheat and the Pats management…not me.
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 1:44 PM
LMAO
Liberty or Death on November 30, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Matt is coming into his own. Win or lose, he will continue to progress and become stronger. I hope the Pats win, but if not, its more experience for Matt. Brady started the same way….an injury to Bledsoe….and look what happened. Am looking to Matt showing his stuff.
Ray-500 on November 30, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Sorry, but the Pats and Belichick never admitted to cheating. Coach apologized for his misinterpreting the rules.
from our friends at Wiki
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Am I the only person who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about the Steelers?
RWLA on November 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
You buy that spin? ROLFMAO
IF you have kids I bet they play you big time.
And funny you did not admit you can LOSE and CHEAT.
Pats fans are friggin hilarious.
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 2:31 PM
You are killing me Del….hilarious.
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I celebrated Thanksgiving in Michigan yesterday with family. It was a great day. All of the good food and family of Thanksgiving without having to watch the Detroit Lions play.
Canadian Infidel on November 30, 2008 at 2:33 PM
We’re pahkin’ ah cah in the Steelahs yahd…
frizzbee on November 30, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Just to be clear if a team cheats and they whine that they misunderstood the rules that is not cheating. Gotcha
ROFLMAO
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I thought about it some more….
The Patriots did not cheat they simply tried to gain an unfair advantage by breaking the rules.
Due to this their “mistake” cost their coach and team $750,000. Pretty trivial and chump change of course.
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Bishop on November 30, 2008 at 1:30 PM
LOL!! I am a Steeler fan! Honest! But, the New England Patriots rock!!!! Sorry Bishop, it pains me too. But I have to root for the Pats today.
*smiles with guilt*
sheebe on November 30, 2008 at 3:02 PM
During the 2001/02 AFC championship, I remember chalking up the Patriots win to “better intelligence” – as in military style intelligence. They seemed to know what the Steelers were going to do on every play, and my friends and I commented on it repeatedly during the game. At the time, I blamed Cowher, and said he was “out-coached”.
Whether the video taping was “cheating” or not I don’t know, but it was pretty obvious they had good knowledge of the Steelers plays and variations on plays they had run all years but changed for the playoffs.
Today, I’ll be shocked if the Pat’s offense scores more than 17 points today, so if the Steelers can do anything with the ball, they should win.
forest on November 30, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Good for you.
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Face it, the Patriots have pretty much dominated the Steelers in recent years. In fact, New England has won 6 out of the past 7 meetings, which pre-dates the current coach if I am not mistaken.
Aren;t 3 or 4 Steelers starters questionable for today?
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 3:22 PM
My Steelers excel at winning ugly. Steelers 20 Pats 10 with the Steelers scoring a defensive touchdown.
MoCoM on November 30, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Play in a real division with competition.
rightside on November 30, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Well, we see how much of a hole Plaxico leaves in the Giant’s offense. About the same kind of hole your fist leaves when you pull it out of a bucket of water.
Jazz Shaw on November 30, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Yes, it looks like the Giants really missed Plaxico today. Eli had 305 yards in the rain. Giants can wrap up the division next week.
JammieWearingFool on November 30, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Steelers win by a field goal.
Go Big ben–kill the cheaters
John The Baptist on November 30, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Patriots TD.
Ed, you need to become a Penguins fan. If you think the Steelers are entertaining, try watching the Penguins.
ConservativePenguin on November 30, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Sounds like you were pwnd
Roflmao
Enjoy the *
Jamson64 on November 30, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Now I just need the Jets to find a way to win in 34 degrees, wind and freezing rain. They already gave the ball away to the Bronco’s D once for an easy defensive touchdown. Fortunately they came right back and ran the field to tie it up.
Jazz Shaw on November 30, 2008 at 4:41 PM
It must be a tough season for you Giants haters. G-Men best team in the NFL!
clancy_wiggum on November 30, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Tom Coughlin is a throwback coach who demands team first…good for the Giants and good for the NFL…
DCJeff on November 30, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Sure I was.
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Oh just great, HotAir is now a football blog. Arrrrgh.
moonsbreath on November 30, 2008 at 5:32 PM
I take it you didn’t bother to read my post. Your rebuttal doesn’t really have anything to do with what I wrote. Did they cheat if 2001 or not?
forest on November 30, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I still say it speaks volumes that at the start of the 2007 season, the NFL sent out a memo to ALL TEAMS telling them that videotaping was illegal.
If it had only been the Pats why send a memo to all and not just them?
And why were so many coaches silent when the big bad Pats got busted?
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 5:55 PM
I’d be willing to bet that many coaches weren’t very happy with Rat Mangina.
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Were they accused of cheating in 2001?
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 5:57 PM
One of the coaches wasn’t silent. Jack del Rio, head coach of the Jaguars, said at the time that it was common practive for opposing coaches to try and steal signals, etc. from the opposite sideline.
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Good call ref, Hampton was being held by the Patriots so you better throw a flag on him.
Maybe a flag on Hampton for messing up Cassel’s mascara next?
NoDonkey on November 30, 2008 at 6:02 PM
At least he was honest about it.
Mangini reaped the rewards of whatever signal stealing was going on at NE while he was there. He was able to parlay the Pats’ success into a head coach position and he turns around and rats out the man who made it possible.
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Nice recover for the Steelers.
johnnyU on November 30, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Oh please, don’t be calling the Pats off for liberalism when their opponents are certified racist rednecks for Obama (Just ask Jack Murtha and Ed Rendell).
I mean really. Pittsburgh. At least Boston isn’t a hole.
BKennedy on November 30, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Sure it is.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 6:27 PM
How is Boston a hole?
(note that I am not saying anything disparaging about Pittsburgh)
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:31 PM
As a former Boston resident I wouldn’t call it a “hole”; some parts of the city are absolutely beautiful. Ever hear of the “Emerald Necklace”? That’s the series of parks and green spaces that have been in existence for over a century.
Sure, Boston is run by flaming liberals, but there are some things that they simply haven’t been able to ruin, like the Necklace.
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 6:37 PM
And they say the Pats are dirty? That hit by Clark was bogus.
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:38 PM
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Big dig, anyone?
It was a joke. Not a very funny one, obviously, but a joke nonetheless.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I was born in Boston and with the exception of my college years have lived on the North Shore of the city my entire life.
I would never call it a hole. It is a safe, beautiful city.
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:43 PM
This game, however, is a big stinking hole.
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:44 PM
God… the third quarter was PATHETIC. It’s hard to score points when you keep giving the other team the damned ball!
cannonball on November 30, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I find it simply ironic that the Patriots have gone from being America’s Team in 2001 to being called dirty.
cannonball on November 30, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Touche.
BKennedy on November 30, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Pathetic.
The BF just whipped the clicker. LOL
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Crunch!
That’s gonna leave a mark! LOL
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 6:53 PM
The omnipresent Polamalu strikes again.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 6:54 PM
One of the rare times I enjoy being late to a thread – reading all the crazy predictions that the Pats may actually win. Rain or not, Moss is playing like he couldn’t catch the clapp from Amy Winehouse.
STEEEEEEEEEEEEELERS!
innominatus on November 30, 2008 at 6:58 PM
queue Dandy Don Meridith.
Or the fat lady.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 7:03 PM
It’s like he has Crisco on his gloves. I can see one dropped ball in this weather, but come on!
loppyd on November 30, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Meredith. I guess.
hillbillyjim on November 30, 2008 at 7:03 PM
As a political boondoggle, the Big Dig IS a hole. However, it did make Boston more beautiful, as the area above the tunnels has also been turned into Green Space.
Of course, that Green Space was promptly named after the Mother of All Kennedys…
Del Dolemonte on November 30, 2008 at 7:06 PM
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