Steelers 33, Patriots 10: Steelers Defense Dominates in Win

While it would be very easy to talk about Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel getting a healthy dose of reality, I think that would be somewhat unfair to everyone's favorite free-agent-to-be quarterback. Sure, he had a really bad day in the Patriots 33-10 loss to Pittsburgh, but in his defense, the weather conditions were less than ideal, and he received absolutely no help from anybody on his offense.

A week after playing the disrespect card because Miami single-covered him, Randy Moss was a relative non-factor in the game. Forget single coverage, if the Steelers would have left him out there by himself, or, even worse, lined me up across from him, it wouldn't have made a difference.

Moss finished with only four catches, and dropped what would have been two guaranteed touchdowns. The first one came on a deep pass over the middle, and the second one occurred late in the first half when Moss was alone in the back of the end zone. For reasons that escape me, Moss jumped into the air to attempt to catch a pass that would have hit him right in the numbers, only to have it slip through his arms and fall to the ground. Right after that, Stephen Gostkowski shanked a 27-yard field goal, and the Steelers dominated the remainder of the game.

Of course, that's not to completely remove blame from Cassel because, you know, he did turn the football over four times, tossing a pair of second half interceptions, and getting stripped by Steelers linebacker James Harrison who abused Matt Light for much of the game.

Speaking of Harrison for a second, can we put this guy's name into the defensive player of the year conversation? Yes? Thank you. Harrison was actually carted off the field before the half, and returned in the second half to finish with a team-high nine tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. The Patriots eventually started to double-team him, which then led to single blocks for Lamar Woodley and Lawrence Timmons.

Troy Polamalu picked off his league-leading sixth pass of the season, while Timmons earned his first career interception, returning it 89 yards to the New England 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rebounded nicely from a terrible interception in the first quarter, to complete 17-of-33 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. The numbers could have been much more, but like Cassel, he wasn't exactly helped by his receivers, as Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington each dropped easy touchdown passes.

The Patriots defense clearly missed Adalius Thomas and Ty Warren, as they rarely produced a pass rush, and allowed Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore and Gary Russel to rush for 161 yards.

Kevin Faulk finished as the Patriots leading rusher, picking up 73 yards on six carries, while also hauling in seven passes for 48 yards.

For the Steelers, it's their first win in New England since 1997, and only the second time they've defeated the Patriots since the 2000 season.

For New England, well, the Jets also lost.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-30-2008 @ 9:17PM

nfl fan said...

That Steelers Defense is awesome. That hit Clark put on Welker. Wow!!! Polamalu is unbelievable. Harrison also(and he was still held almost every play). So many weapons on that defense. If they play this way and stay healthy they will be there in the end. The offense is starting to come together at the right time.

12-01-2008 @ 8:29AM

Kagan said...

Where are all the obnoxious, loud mouthed New England fans? The sound of the crickets is deafening.

Dave221 said...

Right here. Good win for you. Credit where credit is due. When you guys win your third SB in the salary-cap era, let me know.

12-01-2008 @ 8:30AM

CincySteelerFan said...

Hey Dave221, thanks for the compliment. When you guys win a SB with an all drafted, no free agent team let me know.

12-01-2008 @ 10:09AM

Free agency is part of building a team, just like the draft. No team has only drafted players on the roster. Keeping a championship team intact is very hard to do with the salary cap and free agency. That's the point I'm making. That is what the NFL calls parity. The NFL does not want dynasties. So for the Pats to win 3 of 4 SB is an accomplishment worth noting, just like the Steelers of the 70's., or the 49ers of the 80's.

12-01-2008 @ 10:19AM

Sorry Dave,

Not a Pittsburgh fan here. A Giants fan. Remember them? The team that dethroned the Patriots and started this whole downward spiral? I sat through an entire season listening to you and other NE fans gloat and insult everyone else. It simply tickles me pink to see what has become of your team. Gosh! It's almost as if the Patriots don't have film of the opposing coaches calling signals anymore. Maybe if you guys weren't such jerks all of last season, we'd give you a pass. Maybe if Belichik didn't act like a complete ass after the SB. He refused to even acknowledge or congratulate the Giants on their victory. He ran off and locked himself away like a spoiled brat. The sort of kid who might even "cheat" to get his way. He ran up the score on a number of teams last year to rub their noses in it. And, all of you NE fans praised him. He has NO CLASS, and neither does your team. How's it feel to have YOUR noses rubbed in it now?

12-01-2008 @ 10:30AM

Kagan, as a Giant fan you must remember Bill B was the defensive coordinator for years. I'm sure you you thought he was a great guy then when he devised game plans to stop the 49ers and Skins etc. Oh and I'm sure you think LT was the cleanest player in the NFL. And I'm sure you remember Bill Parcell as a humble, quite guy who stayed at one team forever. Bottom line is the Pats are no different than any winning team in sports. They will make enemies along the way. As the only team to beat the Pats in 07, I can give the Giants praise. Can you admit that what the Pats have done since 2001 is worthy? And don't give me that filming crap, every team does that. Every team tries to get an edge. If you are a Giant fan then you remember when the Redskins rented a hotel room overlooking the Giants practice field. The game is played between the lines. Let's give the players their due and stop harping on the coach.

Thatsabsurd said...

Wow New England does have fans that believe in winning honestly, with no cheating.

Did you see them in the stands they donned their back and gold and went to watch a team that does it fairly beat the cheating team.

skinsfan said...

actually the steelers beat the pats back in 04, idk if it was inNE or PITT

12-01-2008 @ 9:44AM

rlau said...

Any New England Fans know where I can buy one of those "19-0" tee shirts? I want to put it next to my "Dewey Wins" newspaper.

[I guess it is harder to win when you don't cheat.]

12-01-2008 @ 9:55AM

Superbowl XLII New York Giants 17 *New England Patriots 14
NEW YORK GIANTS ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!!!

(*New England Patriots were 18-1, and were caught cheating during the season.)

12-01-2008 @ 10:58AM

Dave,

I am well aware of Belichik's history and where he got his start. I never said he was a dummy or a bad coach. However, that was some 17 years or so ago, long before his ego blew up to mammoth proportions. As far as every team trying to get an edge; you can't equate that with outright cheating. This team went from being unbeatable to barely better than .500 after they got caught. Seems to me, their game was never played between the lines. As for LT, many things have been said, and he has done many things that he can't be proud of as a person. However, I have NEVER heard him referred to as a 'dirty player'! Not even by those whose careers were stunted by him. Not even Joe Theisman has ever had a bad word to say about LT, the person. There is no Giants fan that will defend the decisions he has made in his life, but be clear here; He was NEVER a cheap shot! He NEVER played dirty! Even given his drug problems, he still outclassed Belichik in every way.

Look at the way we Giants fans react to the Burress controversy. Not one fan will defend him. We know the team is not as good without him, but we refuse to protect and defend an ass just for the sake of winning. NE fans on the other hand would defend Ted Bundy if they thought it would help the Patriots win.

You want me admit that what the Pats have done is worthy? I'll tell you this; a bit more than a year ago, I marveled at the way Brady could read defenses. I was amazed at how quickly he knew exactly where to go with the ball. And, I thought the Pats might be the best NFL team I had ever seen play the game. But, rather than handle it with dignity, your team started rubbing teams noses in it. Your coach started acting like the world's biggest ass. And the NE fans made a ritual out of chest-pounding and insulting everyone else on these boards. I started hating you guys along with everyone else, even before the cheating was substantiated. Were the accomplishments worthy? I don't know. Your team hasn't exactly done anything since they got caught you know.

12-01-2008 @ 11:40AM

Kagan, read your reply, some valid points some errors. After they "got caught" Pats 18-1 in 2007. That's a bit better than .500. You failed to address the Bill Parcells comparison. Let me say I am not bashing Parcells. The point is this has all been done before. Teams win, fans gloat, coach is "genius". it happens all the time. The problem I have is with people who think the Pats franchise started in 2001. It didn't. Lots of lean years, losing to Miami and Pitt etc. Just like Giants in 70's. Finally breakthru and have something to cheer about. Just like Giants in 80's. Did you ever think that the Pats have already had their noses rubbed in it? I am not going to apologize for the ignorant stupid, loudmouth fans. But as someone who has been there well before the SB run, I can celebrate what this team has accomplished.

12-01-2008 @ 11:57AM

Fair enough Dave. I can enjoy a good, lively debate as much as the next guy. It appears you may not be one of those fans for whom I hold such contempt. And as a Yankee fan to boot, I can certainly understand how success breeds contempt.

As I wrote earlier, while I was never a Pats fan, I DID marvel at the way they played, and could respect it. But first, I felt like Bill B was starting to rub teams noses in it to make some self-serving point. Then I was forced to listen to/read NE fans tout their superiority and greatness as if they, personally had something to do with the players' success. The final straw had to be Tom Brady laughing heartily when told the Giants expected to hold them to 17 points in the Super Bowl, and dismissing it as a joke. Even if you don't believe it, a true professional would not have belittled the opposition the way he did. So while I hold no grudge against you personally, you'll forgive me for taking some solace in the recent turn of events. In fact, I hope the Pats can turn it around and make it back to the big game, and perhaps the Giants can as well. A rematch would be exciting. A bit scary for me as a Giants fan, but exciting nonetheless.

12-01-2008 @ 11:45PM

Kagan, well said, best of luck to you the rest of the way.

12-01-2008 @ 11:59AM

steelers4life said...

well all i can say is that you giants fans better count your blessings cause if the steelers and giants make it to the promised land ,you know that the out come is going to be different the second time around,you guys were let off the hook when we lost to you back in the beginning of the season ,we shot our selfs in the foot,but i give it to you that you guys were the ones on top with the win ,it wont happen again ,they made sure that we have more than one long snapper hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12-01-2008 @ 4:07PM

Mike said...

What do you think about this trade offer that I received:

Give up: Brandon Marshall

Receive: Randy Moss, Tedd Ginn, Jr., 6th round pick next year?

12-02-2008 @ 8:15PM

Dave221, your point that keeping a championship roster intact long enough to win multiple championships is noted. My point is that it is FAR MORE impressive that the 1979 Steelers won the Superbowl with an ALL drafted team. ( Even the bench...look it up ) That team also included 9 future Hall Of Famers. That is something that will NEVER be topped. And to this day the Steelers have a habit of developing the vast majority of their own talent.