Patriots game not as big as next one

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers and New England Patriots will find themselves in a familiar spot Sunday at Heinz Field, playing each other with the AFC's No. 1 seed on the line, but does it really matter in the long run who wins?

Nearly inexplicably, the Steelers have risen from the shambles of a 35-7 opening loss at Baltimore and a .500 record after four games to the second-best record in the conference at 5-2. Typically, the Patriots are tops at 5-1.

And, while the Steelers may be 1-6 against quarterback Tom Brady, they have managed to get around the Patriots without having to go through them in the playoffs to win two Super Bowl titles since New England most recently won a Lombardi Trophy seven seasons ago. They finished second in the AFC to the Patriots last season after losing at home to them 39-26, yet they again reached the Super Bowl and New England did not.

In 2004, it did not matter that the once-beaten Steelers upset the unbeaten Patriots at home at mid-season because they then lost to them in the AFC title game at Heinz Field for the second time in four seasons.
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So, while the game Sunday ultimately might determine the conference's top seed, there is no historical reason to believe it will determine much else.
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I get what Bouchette is saying, but I have to disagree. This game is VERY important and could determine a lot. The two toughest games left on the Ravens' schedule are the Steelers and Chargers. They could very likely lose only one more game the rest of the way. Even if we were to lose to the Pats and beat the Ravens, we'd still probably have to run the table to win the division. Beating the Pats and Ravens would give us a one-game cushion.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11299/1184982-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz1brOL1JGQ

Wallace108 wrote:

I get what Bouchette is saying, but I have to disagree. This game is VERY important and could determine a lot. The two toughest games left on the Ravens' schedule are the Steelers and Chargers. They could very likely lose only one more game the rest of the way. Even if we were to lose to the Pats and beat the Ravens, we'd still probably have to run the table to win the division. Beating the Pats and Ravens would give us a one-game cushion.

After Monday night's game, Seattle might be a challenge for the Rats.

I have to agree with Wally, that this game is important. Maybe not for the overall effect it has on the standings but in terms of how it impacts the Steelers moving forward. Coming out and destroying the patriots* would impact things that can not be seen on the field. It impacts morale, leadership, attitude, and effort!

i think that they both are pretty freaking important

You guys are all correct after the beating they took last year from TB I hope we knock that wimp out the game or for that matter the league. We owe the birds a payback for what they did to us on the season opener. I am guessing we are going to win the next two and struggle against the bungals.

blastfurness wrote:

I am guessing we are going to win the next two and struggle against the bungals.

The Bungles are starting to make me nervous. Everyone keeps talking about the two-team race between the Steelers and Ravens ... but I wouldn't count out the Bungles just yet. They're playing over their heads right now and will probably come back down a little. But in the modern NFL, you never know. That's why I think BOTH the next two games are extremely important.

Wallace108 wrote:

blastfurness wrote:

I am guessing we are going to win the next two and struggle against the bungals.

The Bungles are starting to make me nervous. Everyone keeps talking about the two-team race between the Steelers and Ravens ... but I wouldn't count out the Bungles just yet. They're playing over their heads right now and will probably come back down a little. But in the modern NFL, you never know. That's why I think BOTH the next two games are extremely important.

Thinking the same thing. They are flying under the radar right now and just winning. They could definitely make some noise here at the end of the season. I still think they will fold up or choke in a high-pressure situation at the end or (God forbid) the playoffs because of the rookie QB and WR. They are bound to hit the "rookie wall" at that time.

yep, to me both are pretty freakin' impotant.

I think both are important. Obviously the Ravens game is important because it effects our chance of getting into the playoffs. The Patriots game effects our stance in the playoffs, if we can continue to prosper. This Sunday's game may not matter as much as the Ravens game afterwards, but it's important in the development and improvement in our team that we win it.

bayz101 wrote:

I think both are important. Obviously the Ravens game is important because it effects our chance of getting into the playoffs. The Patriots game effects our stance in the playoffs, if we can continue to prosper. This Sunday's game may not matter as much as the Ravens game afterwards, but it's important in the development and improvement in our team that we win it.

Welcome to the board, bayz.
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I have a feeling that EVERY game is going to be the most important game from here on out.

Wallace108 wrote:

bayz101 wrote:

I think both are important. Obviously the Ravens game is important because it effects our chance of getting into the playoffs. The Patriots game effects our stance in the playoffs, if we can continue to prosper. This Sunday's game may not matter as much as the Ravens game afterwards, but it's important in the development and improvement in our team that we win it.

Welcome to the board, bayz.
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I have a feeling that EVERY game is going to be the most important game from here on out.

Thanks bud