Paralysis by Analysis – New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

When You Have Tom Brady, You Don’t Need A Running Game

That having been said, the Patriots do have a very good running game. They are currently tied for 10th in the league for rushing yards per game. Ordinarily, this would not install great fear in Citizens of The Nation. This is no ordinary year, however.

This year, less than a year after the Steelers fielded an historic run-stopping defense, they are 12th in running yards allowed. Citizens, they are behind the Seattle Seahawks in rushing yards allowed at this point in the season. That’s how bad things are on the defensive side of the ball!

As if that weren’t enough, the Patriots are bringing a guy who has won three Super Bowls. He has won the league and Super Bowl MVP awards twice each. He has been selected for six Pro Bowls.

And he loves playing against the Steelers. Did I mention Brady is 6-1 against the Steelers in his career?

Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense are leading the league in passing yards and are fifth in the league in scoring.

Brady’s favorite target is Wes Welker. Welker is leading the league in receptions and receiving yards, and it’s not even close. He has 12 more catches than the man in second place, Greg Jennings, and nearly 14 yards per game more than Steve Smith.

Dieon Branch is tied for 24th in the league for receptions.

And then you have Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, the two Patriots tight ends who are both, BOTH, in the top ten for receptions for tight ends.

Continuing the Bizarro World year on the defensive side of the ball, the Men of Steel are ranked third in the league for passing yards allowed.

This promises to be a match-up strength against strength. Will the Steelers’ defense be able to slow down the potent offense of the Patriots? Or will Brady once again have his way with the Steelers like a sailor coming to port? We can only hope he will leave a couple Benjamins on the dresser when he done with the Steelers.

W2W4

This is going to be a very unusual game. I’m not confident the Steelers defense will be able to stop Brday, Welker, Gronkowski, etc.

I also don’t think the Pats defense will be able to do much about Ben, Wallace, Heath, etc.

I really believe this is going to be a rare occurrence. That is, the Steelers are going to find themselves in a shootout. Whatever the over/under is on the game, take the over.

I’m looking for at least 70 combined points in this game and lots of big plays.

At the end of the day, however, my gut is telling me that the Steelers will come up a little short once again in their bid to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.