Open Thread: New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 14

by tommasse on Dec 9, 2007 12:14 PM EST in News Comment 87 comments

Good afternoon, Patriots fans. I'm heading to Foxboro to brave the New England winter weather (if there is any). Yes, I'll make that sacrifice for the rest of us. That means you all need to talk it up here in the open thread.

Terry McAulay is today's head referee. The Patriots have had a different officiating crew for every game this season, but McAulay did work Pittsburgh's 21-0 win over Seattle in Week 5.

P1hotobucket - Video and Image Hosting -- vs. --

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Gillette Stadium, Dec. 9, 4:15 p.m.

Forget guarantees. Forget the history (Bill Belichick will tell you, tounge-in-cheek) that history means nothing today. Forget teams snapping winning streaks. There's nothing left but to take the field and play the game.

Enjoy the game, and Go PATRIOTS!!

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Well...

...my Fantasy Football team is getting shellacked (hey, my QB was Bulger, I'm at my limit for moves, hence, not starting a QB and getting my butt kicked...)

So I think that I'll be starting L. Maroney on my team, turnin' off the computer, findin' somewhere warm, and trying not to blow a gasket when the Reffing sucks... again... :)

Have fun at the game!

by DanieXJ on Dec 9, 2007 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

In the nick of time

I just sat down as the game got started. The Pats opened on offense, and proceeded to go 3 and out. Pittsburgh just converted on 3rd down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Roethlisberger converts on 3rd down again

A nice pass to get the first down. The D stuffs another run for a loss on the ensuing first down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Heath Miller

Gets a first down on a pass over the middle.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Holding called on Bruschi

Gives Pittsburgh a first down inside the 10 yd line.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seau

Tackles Parker for a 1 yd game.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

make that

gain

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Harrison

Wraps up Miller for another 1 yd gain.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

FG Attempt upcoming

Vrabel was almost offsides, but it wasn't called. Roethlisberger threw it away.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Reed

for 3 pts.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chad Jackson

with a nice return, gives the Pats the ball near midfield.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moss

With a circus catch on 3rd down. He reached over the defender and tipped the ball to himself, making the catch as he fell to the ground.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maroney

moving the pile for five yards, gets another first down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gaffney

with a catch to make it 3rd and inches.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maroney running hard

Gets hit in the backfield but falls forward for the first down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moss

with the TD catch. That's his 18th of the season.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brady

Just walked over to the guaranteer Anthony Smith, and gave him a piece of his mind. When will other teams smarten up and stop trash-talking the Pats? I hope never.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 4:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Never give Brady and the boys...

...any ammunition. What a mistake by Smith.

by MaPatsFan on Dec 9, 2007 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

YEEEEHAAA!

that's what I want to hear!!!!

by circusboy on Dec 9, 2007 4:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

and it's wonderful, because...

one of the nfl network ads on the streaming radio this week is the roethlisberger to the pro-bowl ad, and therefore the ads are silent during the pats game!

Bliss!

by circusboy on Dec 9, 2007 4:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good movement...

...by BigBen and a good running pass. Gotta contain that.

by MaPatsFan on Dec 9, 2007 5:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Back now

Sorry, but I had to step away from the laptop for a few minutes. While I was gone, the Pats scored in one play on a long pass to Moss, and the Steelers answered with a TD of their own.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Watson

comes up short on 3rd down, and it's 3 and out for the Pats O.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pats recover punt

The ball was touched by a Steelers blocker, and the Pats recover.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Steelers call timeout

on the Pats ensuing 1st down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Offensive line needs to pick it up

Brady hasn't been getting much time, this time his misfired to an open Dante Stallworth, and then Maroney is stuffed at the line.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Watson

Short again on 3rd down. Pats are going for the FG.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gostkowski

Misses a 48 yarder, giving the Steelers a break and good field position.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

on 3rd and 2

Parker is stopped short.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Steelers go for it on 4th down

Davenport replaces Parker at RB, and gets the first down with a leap at the line.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

False Start

On Pittsburgh. 1st and 15.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Holding on Pittsburgh

Vrabel has been near Roethlisberger several times, and this time he did it while being held.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

3rd and ten

After a WR screen to Cedric Wilson on 2nd down, Roethlisberger scrambles for nine. Fourth and inches.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wilson with another catch

for the 1st down. Surprisingly, the Steelers lined up in the shotgun formation.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

3rd and 2

With the Steelers lining up in a shotgun again, they call a timeout.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Reed with a 44 yard FG

After an incompletion on 3rd down, the Steelers get 3 points.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Watson with a 14 yard catch

on first down. Pats in hurry-up mode.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

After 2 long passes

Get the Pats to the 20, Kevin Faulk is flagged for holding. 1st and 20.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

3rd and 16

Brady's pass is deflected.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gostkowski

Nails the 42 yard FG. 17-13 Pats.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

End of the first half

The Steelers ran one play, and decide to head for the locker room. They'll get the ball to start the 2nd half.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

For those wondering

The 49ers are getting blown out by Minnesota.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Parker with an 18yd run

on 1st down. Pats not shedding the blocks very well, leaving a huge hole on the left side.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Vince Wilfork

Sacks Roethlisberger on 1st down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Incomplete pass

On 3rd and 11. The ball skipped just short of the WR.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Matt Light

with a flase start after a 20 yd catch by Moss. 1st and 15.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Timeout NE

With the play clock running out, Brady called for a T.O.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Quick Pass to Stallworth

gets 9 yards. 2nd and 6.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kyle Brady

with the 1st down catch, while Tom Brady gets rid of the ball with pressure in his face.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That was sick!

by RSNexile on Dec 9, 2007 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brady to Moss to Brady

to Gaffney for a 56 yd TD! Trickeration from the Pats makes it 24-13. Brady latereled to Moss, who latereled back to Brady who threw it deep to a wide-open Gaffney.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Illegal bloack in the back on the kickoff

nullifies a good runback. btw, that last TD by the Pats looks sweeter and sweeter with every replay.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Incomplete pass on 3rd down

The defense forces a 3 and out.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Pats sideline is still fired up

about that trick play. Moss, Gaffney, and Stallworth are all going nuts on the sideline. Heh. You can just tell that these guys love playing together.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The best part is...

...that that's the sort of play Pittsburgh used to run with Randle El.

by RSNexile on Dec 9, 2007 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Watson with a 7yd catch

on first down. Meanwhile Bellichick is talking to the defense on the bench. It's so cold, that he has to wear a heavy jacket instead of the trademarked sweatshirt. Of course, he had tp pick out what has to be the ugliest article of clothing that NFL properties has to offer. And that about sums up my knowledge of fashion.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Watson

was shaken up on that last play. On the return to action, Moss pulls in a catch for the first down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gaffney

with a quick pass gets antoher first down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moss gets interfered with

but no flag. On 2nd down, Brady scrambles for 4 yards.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Welker

comes up short. 4th and 1. Pats are going for it.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Welker gets it again

and gets the 1st down this time.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moss held in the end zone

and this time, they do flag Ike Taylor for it. 1st and goal at the 5.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Deshea Townshend

injured on the play. Gaffney with another quick pass, but for only 2 yards.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

O-line

I suggested that they need to step it up, and they have. Brady has had the time on this drive. Here at Pats Pulpit, we get results!

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Welker

with the TD catch. And there's a scuffle between James Harrison and Logan Mankins.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Extra Point

Makes it 31-13. That was Brady's 4th TD pass of the day. That gives him 45 for the season with just 5 interceptions. Let that one sink in for a minute.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pooch Kick

Gives the Steelers the ball at their own 40.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

4,000 yards

passing in the season for Brady.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Parker

with a few good runs, has the Steelers near the Pats 10 yd line. There's no quit in this Steelers team.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

End of the 3rd quarter

Steelers have it at the ten yard line. 1st down.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rodney Harrison

Makes the play on 3rd and goal. Steelers go for it on 4th down and Hines Ward is stopped short on an end around. Really, that was the play on the goal line.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Welker with a 22 yard catch

to get them out of the shadow of the end zone.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's the Wes Welker show

He just caught his 4th consecutive pass to get a first down past midfield.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Faulk

with a first down catch. I think Brady mis-read Faulk's 33 as Welker's 83.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moss

with the catch for a first down. If they get a TD here, some commentator will say they're running up the score, and another one of my brain cells will commit suicide for having to listen to said idiot.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moss just missed one

in the back of the end zone. It was a laser, off the fingertips of Moss.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think I just lost a chldhood memory

Jim Nantz doesn't suggest the Pats are running up the score, but he does mention that the 13 pass plays on that last drive are not "conservative".

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 6:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Coaching

The Steelers players haven't quit, but their offensive coordinator has. Three straight running plays for Willie Parker. Down by 21, in the 4th quarter, they started this drive with over 6 minutes left in the game. There are now 3 and a half minutes left.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Offensive holding

Vrabel should pay rent for all the time he's spending in the Steelers' backfield.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ellis Hobbs

Breaks up the 4th and 12 pass. The game was already over basically, but now it's just a question of how long the clock will take to run down to 0:00.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ladainian Tomlinson

will be on 60 minutes after the game. Didn't 60 minutes used to be well thought of?

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Umm...

Didn't LDT used to be well thought of? His temper tantrums on the sideline are really classless, especially coming from a player that has taken it upon himself to be the Class Police during the playoffs. What a baby.

by MattMiller on Dec 9, 2007 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ladainian Tomlinson

My dad used to tell me: "never trust anyone who starts a phrase with 'to be honest with you...'"
If they need to specify that this time they're being honest, it probably means that they're not very truthful. I think the same thing happens with LT. He keeps telling us that he's classy, and that his opponents have none. I think the lady doth protest too much.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chippiness

Some pushing and shoving after a latge hit in the back from a Steelers kickoff return blocker. That gets them a 15 yard penalty.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Punt return

Sorry, didn't mean to make anyone think the Pats scored again. That probably would have given Jim Nantz the vapors.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Game Off

And I am outta here. Thanks for dropping by everyone. Tommasse will have the game summary later. Much later, since he's actually at the game, but he will have it. Another great Pats win, and hopefully the margin of victory will shut everyone up about the whole "blueprint" thing. Good night.

by 6thround on Dec 9, 2007 7:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs