Sunday’s showdown with the Pats starts a brutal four-game stretch for the Steelers, and one that will define the 2008 season. For now, there are some big-time keys to stopping this Pats offense which has been on fire the last two weeks, and things the team must do to cross the goal-line and walk out of New England for the first time a winner since the 1997 season.
With that, here are the keys for the Steelers to come out a winner Sunday and be 9-3 entering the Dallas home game next Sunday:
1. Pressure, Pressure, and more Pressure – Matt Cassel has not played a defense like the Steelers this year, and the Steelers have to test him with some early pressure. Last season the team didn’t record a sack vs the Pats, and if they want to win this game, they had better make Cassel make some bad decisions.
2. Tackle – It may be easily said, but they can’t give up a lot of yards after the catch, and they have to make sure if guys like Wes Welker and Randy Moss make grabs to not whiff on the tackles afterwards.
3. Hit a Big Play here and there – Don’t be afraid to test the Pats secondary, and look downfield for Holmes or Washington. They have both shown the ability to hit some homeruns, and I don’t see why the team wouldn’t go after a few plays during the game.
4. Watch the Penalties – This has hurt the team as of late, and on the season they have averaged just about six penalties a game. There’s nothing worse than a big play being called back by a penalty, and Sunday they will have enough pressure on them to play well than to hurt themselves in that department.
5. A Fast Start would be nice – Against the Redskins a few weeks back they slept walked through the first quarter, but then were able to get going and get the 23-6 win. Against New England they need to set the tempo, and there’s no better way to do that than to score first and play good D.
At the end of the day, the Steelers have a better team in 2008 than the Pats. New England has lost twice at home, so it’s not like they are unbeatable at home. This is a game they should win, and if they don’t the hopes of another AFC North title and the possible two seed will take a huge hit.
Steelers 24 New England 17
4 Comments
Leave a Reply
Show Your Team Spirit
Get Your Steelers Tickets
Steelers Gab Newsletter
Sign up to receive our Steelers Gab newsletter, and keep up to date with all the latest Pittsburgh Steelers news.
mark
November 29, 2008 at 8:41 am
Thats about as accurate as can be. I think the key is the Steelers controlling the tempo. Run the ball successfully is how they can do this. This will be a nail biter for 4 quarters because the Pats will get every break imaginable. Im sure the penalties will favor the Pats all day, its been this way all season for the Steelers and I doubt it will change on the road against the Patriots of all teams. The Steelers can and should win, but we all know how that goes. Especcially in New England. Im going to try Steelers 26 Patriots 20
Claudio
November 30, 2008 at 5:33 pm
The game already started so this doesnt really count anymore but honestly speaking whats the story with Ben. Somebody please bench that boy, he is hurting the team. Maybe he sustained some long term injury from the motorcycle wretch or maybe he just isnt paying attention enough, but seriously its not like the steelers are winning because of offense anyway and there are two quarterbacks on the bench that are manage the ball types. As a long time fan from the steal curtain days…PLEASE!!!! BENCH BEN!!!!!!!!!!
JOnezy
November 30, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Bench Ben?
Come on people! The man is being pressured like noone else in the NFL. He played a perfect game tonight! The Defense did what is always expected and once again the officials and the anouncers did their best to take the game away from the Burgh early on. I love it when noone gives Pittsburgh any credit. All that’ll do is tick “em off and just like their Super Bowl season, they’ll show everyone, never doubt “our” heart. Of course I’m a diehard fan and will never anything bad against my team but I will say that every week we get no respect and every week we show why we just might be a contender. By the way! Does anyone else think that the NFL has become the CFL(meaning the C#^T football league)? That hit on Welker was as legal as they can get! The ball was tipped! What if he caught the ball and held on? What would the call be then? Anyways! Go Steelers!
Tim
November 30, 2008 at 9:04 pm
YAY!!!!!!!!! This is the one game this season I wanted the Steelers to win….and they pulled it off BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!
The Steelers showed the rest of the NFL and the Country how dangerous they can be, especially with the best defense in the League. It’s December…it’s Cold…the playoffs beckon….IT’S STEELER FOOTBALL TIME!!!!!!!!!