Certainly. As I said, I hope they can surprise me. But if you break it down the match-up is not at all favorable for Steelers:
First of all, Steelers stop the run. Patriots don't run the ball so that is a wasted effort (exaggeration is a wonderful thing). So the Patriots will come out throwing. That is usually not bad news as such for Steelers. However, BB and Brady knows exactly how to attack us. Short drops and quick releases all night long to those two pesky TEs and Welker. Steelers have nothing to stop it. Their zones usually player deeper which leaves Farrior and Foote to cover them. Oh the horror.
Steelers are capable of putting up quite a few points as well, but they are really not interested in scoring fast TDs. They want to keep Brady off the field. Sadly we only have 1 starter left from the original o-line which limits the productivity quite a bit. add to that fact that patriots rank dead last against the pass and we SHOULD see Steelers trying to air it out. However, Steelers don't use the same short drop-back systems such as the Patriots. We're all about the deep throw these days which is fine against a lesser talented d-line but I foresee Big Ben spending a lot of time on his back if they don't find a way to get rid of the ball early. Excuse my negativity, but I don't at all trust BA to find a solution to that.
To me, the only way Steelers can win this is by having a great day on the ground or hoping for our pass-rush to deliver miracles. If not, Brady is going to destroy us, sadly.
Little sad fact: In the Patriots' past two games against them, dating to 2007, Brady has completed 70 percent of his passes for 749 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
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