"I like this defense. I like this team, so we're ready to take on everybody."You know, some days I wonder to myself - what the hell (ok I use a less savory word than hell) am I going to write about today? Today is not one of those days.
- Larry Foote
"This season, to borrow from the late John Facenda when speaking of the Steelers dynasty in the 1970s, there are 31 teams in the NFL, and then there are the New England Patriots."
- Ed Bouchette
I've held off all season talking about the Patriots, refusing to look that far ahead. Because let's be honest, if we couldn't make it past the Cardinals, Broncos or Jets, how could we beat the Patriots...uh, shit. Well anyways, I kid, but today I break the silence. So for all you people asking - But Cotter, what about the Patriots? It's your lucky day.
You wanted it Steeler fans, you got it. The Patriots came back from a near-defeat to hold off the nasty Ravens and Kyle Boller Field General. Which of course leaves them still undefeated and ripe for a loss courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If any of you thought that game last night looked awfully familiar, you're not crazy. The only material differences between last night's game and the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday is that the Patriots don't quit, and Tom Brady is just, oh, a tad better than Carson Palmer. Nonetheless, the Ravens strategies were understandably similar to that which the Steelers have used to beat teams all season.
So having watched that game, my thoughts remain the same. We've known all along how we're going to approach the Patriots. I have not a doubt in my mind about that. You wanna know how this game is going to go? Blitz on 1st Down, Blitz on 2nd Down, Blitz on 3rd down, Patriots punt. Lather, rinse, repeat. Showing them different looks each time. This is prime time for Steelers football. We didn't need to see the Eagles game, or the Ravens game, to know that the way to beat Tom Brady, Randy Moss and friends is PRESSURE. Cover Moss. Cover Stallworth. Cover Welker. Send at least 5 rushers. And if you don't get Brady, hope you at least disrupt his concentration and make him do something he doesn't want to do.
On the other side of the ball, the key is to stay balanced. If we're going to have any success against this team we need to be able to sustain long drives, run time off the clock and wear them down with a good mixture of FWP, high percentage pass plays and play action. I imagine the game plan we've been relying on over the past couple of games will carry over into this game. I'm watching FWP, Hines Ward, and Heath Miller in particular. I've been saying it all year. This type of game plan is the equivalent of a good combo in a heavyweight fight. Hit them with jabs and body blows, then go for the knock out blows when they give them to you.
However, having said all this, do not take my untempered enthusiasm to mean I think we're a lock to win this game. I'll get to more substantive, statistical, balanced analysis of this matchup later in the week. But I wanted to break the ice right. Let's get fired up! Who says you can't start it up on Tuesday when the game's not 'til Sunday. I'm counting the minutes, starting NOW.
So what do you guys think? Blitz? Cover? Give Tom Brady the royal flush? Run? Pass? Statue of liberty play? Let's hear it.
PS - I urge you all to go over to Believe Merch and get yourself a "Your Perfect Season Ends 12-9-07" t-shirt approximately right NOW.
GOOD READS:
Steelers Kept Patriots In Mind [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Could Be The One [Fox Sports]
