|
Patriots 34, Steelers 13: What we learned
CHFF for December 9, 2007
By Jonathan Comey
Cold, Hard Football Facts managing editor of stuff
New England’s 34-13 over Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon was a throwback to the Patriots’ September start, when that seemed to be the score every week.
It was a similar scenario, as well: opponent plays even for much of the first half, only to get their doors blown off in the second half. And the final score was a carbon copy of those early games, before the series ridiculous blowouts and then the unexpected nail-biters.
The bottom line: the Patriots improve to 13-0.
Here are 10 things we learned from one of the last big games of what looks to be a very anticlimactic December of football.
1. Talking smack to the Patriots is never a good idea. Unofficially, the Belichick Patriots are now 8,420-1 in games where some dumbass talks trash before the game. Only Bengals receiver Chad Johnson has been able to do it without offending Belichick and turning New England into hyperfocused balls of anger. For the record, safety Anthony Smith had three solo tackles and helped “hold” the Patriots to 399 passing yards, 8.7 YPA and 32-of-46 accuracy (69.6 percent).
2. Pittsburgh couldn’t get their guys deep, and failed in the area they had to succeed. The Cold, Hard Football Fact was clear: only a great passing game was going to give the Steelers a chance to win. And while the Steelers were mistake-free, their 4.9 yards per pass (adjusted for sacks) wasn’t cutting the mustard. Hines Ward, Nate Washington, Santonio Holmes and TE Heath Miller caught 12 passes for 109 yards, not the production the Steelers were looking for. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh "established the run" fairly well, rushing 32 times for 181 yards and 5.7 YPA, providing further evidence that "establishing the run" is little more than a meaningless cliche used by "pundits" who have nothing to offer you.
3. New England's defense continues to struggle against power running. If the Patriots have an Achilles heel, it’s run defense. Willie Parker came in fully entrenched in a five-game slump (3.1 YPA), then ripped off 21 carries for 124 yards (5.9 YPA). Najeh Davenport added 6 for 33 (5.5 YPA). This Pittsburgh performance came after Baltimore's Willis McGahee carried 30 times for 138 yards (4.6). Philly didn’t run much two weeks ago, but Indy's Joseph Addai had 112 on 26 carries (4.3 YPA) back in Week 9. That’s three poor performances in New England's past five games, a bit troubling considering an AFC playoff mix thick with tough running attacks.
4. New England’s offensive line is back to being the immovable object. While the New England blockers struggled against the Eagles and Ravens, they were absolutely perfect Sunday (at least in the passing game). Against Pittsburgh’s blitzes, they allowed zero Negative Pass Plays in Tom Brady’s 46 pass attempts – no sacks, no picks. A remarkable achievement, against a Steeler team that ranked No. 4 on the Defensive Hog Index and No. 2 in Defensive Passer Rating. Of course, the run game couldn’t do much (9 for 22 yards), but when you win by 21 points against a top team everyone gets an A on their report card.
5. The Steeler defense looked nothing like the numbers suggested. As we pointed out, Pittsburgh’s stats this season stacked up with any of the great Pittsburgh teams of the 1970s. Yet in the second half, the Patriots strung together drives of 8-for-54, 4-for-89, 10-for-50 and 13-for-89, all resulting in scores. Comparisons to Jack Lambert and the boys will heretofore not be made again. Sorry, Jack.
6. Troy Polamalu’s absence wasn’t the difference. Was the hard-hitting safety missed? Sure. But in the three previous games he’d missed with injury, the Steelers gave up a total of 10 points and pitched two shutouts – so don’t assume the Pittsburgh D just can’t succeed without him.
7. Steeler coach Mike Tomlin was outclassed. It was Tomlin’s first huge national game, and he had a deer-in-the-headlights look throughout. His team was badly fooled by New England's trick play that resulted in a TD to Jabar Gaffney, and it was exactly the type of thing predecessor Bill Cowher used to pull out of a hat for a big game. And being outscored 17-0 in the second half showed a lack of adjustments made to New England's pass offense and pass defense. Roethlisberger was 7 of 15 for 66 yards in the second half, as the Patriots kept him on the run and confused.
8. It was not cold enough for cheerleaders in sweatsuits. There’s got to be some kind of rule governing the amount of skin cheerleaders are expected to show in chilly weather. At 35 degrees with no wind, a lady-loving NFL fan should expect to at least see a skirt, perhaps with a team sweater to match. Think USC. But a head-to-toe sweat suit? Unacceptable. If fat guys can go shirtless in the stands, cheerleaders can show a little leg. Please refer to the World Famous Cheerleader Thread for proper cheerleading fashion in all weather conditions.
9. The Patriots just don’t make mistakes. New England allowed just one play that qualifies on our Big Play Index, a 30-yard-run by Willie Parker in the first half. They’ve allowed just 20 Big Plays to the opposition all year, easily the lowest number in the league. And Tom Brady has thrown just five interceptions this year, possibly the most incredible number in a season full of them.
10. Get ready for the Spygate rehash. Just when you thought the Patriots might run out of motivation, this week’s visit from the Jets should be an inspiration in more ways than one. Not only will the Patriots be highly motivated to stomp the Jets, all of the Patriots-bashers will crawl back from out of the woodwork to re-state their tired old points. Or maybe they’ll have realized by now that the whole thing was a media shitstorm, a minor offense that would have been a two-day story if it happened in Buffalo or Seattle. Perhaps some folks will even admit they overreacted. Or not. Either way, the Patriots will be clipping the headlines and using them for fuel. Just what the rest of the league needs.
|
