Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS) vs. New England Patriots (6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS)
NFL Week 9
Date and Time: Sunday November 3, 2013 4:25pm EST
Where: Gillette Stadium Foxborough, MA
TV: CBS
by Tim, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: Pit +7/NE -7
Over/Under Total: 44.5
Bet your Steelers/Pats pick at an online sportsbook where you only have to lay -105 on sides and totals, not -110 like your expensive overpriced bookie is charging you! –> 5Dimes.
Watching Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger do a post-game interview is very much like discussing Mall Parking procedures with your aging Grandmother. The US Military should use Ben to speak over megaphone to the enemy—in ANY language; it would put this Global Takeover talk to rest foreverBEN WINS!! We give up! In a season where Tomlin finally has to CoachTomlin has turned into Mike Shula or Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier!!! Last week, riding a magic-carpet high after beating the Ravens, the Steelers were reminded by the Raiders just how horrible they truly are! New England? Yes, everyone seems sick of Bradys yelling on the sidelines (he is no Ray Lewis!!) and Belichicks deep and abiding love for himself, but the Patriots just keep on winning with Danny Areola (Amendola) at wideout (or Injured Reserve) and Brandon Spikes and his lovely flowing locks! Lets see who might cover this weekend!
The Steelers sit 23rd in total offense in the NFL in 2013. The Steelers are virtually dead last in rushing the ball which makes Art Rooney roll over in his grave. One word about the Steeler running attack: If Center Maurkice Pouncey isnt the absolute key to everything offensively for the Steelers then up is down and right is left. Injured Pouncey killed any chance the Steelers had for a successful running attack. Without Pouncey, Ben Roethlisberger is exposed as an immobile, pensive, buffoon and the Steeler running backs are dead meat for defenders. The Steelers—as usual—have a very good (but a little old) defense which is a trademark of Steeler football. Or are the Steelers good defensively? The Steelers are 4th defensively in giving up yards, 2nd in giving up passing yards, but 27th in rushing yards surrendered. It appears teams just prefer to run the ball against the 2-5 Steelers because they know they can! The passing yards allowed statistic is skewed because >>> Steeler opponents dont have to throw the ball to win! Combine that stat with the Steelers -11 turnover margin and Pittsburghs opponents seem to be attacking from a short field. Lets look at New England!
New England is 5th in passing offense and 3rd in total passing plays in the NFL. Wes Welcker has hurt New England mostly on 3rd down conversion rates as New England idles in 21st place! New England throws the ball all over the yard and does it no matter who they play. The Patriots have shredded the 9th, 11th, 15th, 19th, 20th, and 22nd ranked passing defenses through the air and are 6-2 because of it. The Steelers have faced the worst team in the NFL in passing at 32nd, the 27th, 25th, 22nd, and 19th rated offensive passing teams and are 2-5. This game is about New Englands pass offense against Pittsburghs unchallenged pass defense. OH! Wait! The Steelers did face the 7th ranked passing team in the NFLThe Bengalsand lost while never really being in the game! Mark this game down!
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This clash in Foxborough between the Patriots wide-open passing game versus the untested (except for the Cincinnati game) Steeler secondary thinking Stop the Run first before coverage will consummate in another Steeler disappointment. I can hear the post-game interview now with a sullen (hes sullen when hes happy!) and babbling Roethlisberger, Ummm, yea, sure, this game hurts. We need to make sure and not point fingers (after his 2 picks and 1 fumble) and wakeup Tuesday and take care of our business (They ALL say they that! That saying is virtually a carbon copy of It is what It Is!!). and further, No, we havent given up and as a leader of Steeler nation, well be ready to play next weekbut sure, Id be lying if I didnt say this hurt. I mean, you got a future Hall of Famer over there in Whatshisname, and the Coach is a Hall of Famer already; right?
The Steelers will be tested this Sunday and if they lose, Head Coach Mike Tomlin may lose this team. Tomlins only saving grace is: Ben actually IS the leader on the Steelers team and it might take years before Ben realizes the 2013 Steelers team has a losing record.
Tims Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I think New England probably wins, but Pitt covers. I also like the OVER as I believe this will be a high scoring game!