What was different on defense?

[Hypocycloids]

One thing that was different was that instead of us making all the penalties every damn game it was NE for a change.

We are one of the most penalized teams in the league. Not sure but coaching might have something to do with that.

 

[Coryea]

The Steelers did to the Patriots what the Patriots usually do to the Steelers.

They took the best play-maker out of the game - Gronk
They ran the ball
They pressured Tom Brady
If Ben would have stayed with what appeared to be a very conservative game and converted 3rd and mediums into 1st downs instead of trying 3 times that I can remember going for the big play the game wouldn't have come down to the last drive.

Papillon

Or if JuJu makes the catch on that we win by double digits.
NE was up in the box trying to stop the run, those medium routes were gone, it was either just keep running, or take a shot with man to man defense.
Or if Boswell his the 35 yard FG we win by double digits

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[MT~Forged]

I am one of the first to ***** about Ben NOT TAKING what they give you, but the *’s we’re giving the long balll while trying to take away the run and short throws. I do think that Samuels could have put up 200 if given the chance, even though they were TRYING to stop the run.

 

[Coryea]

I'm not going to complain about taking shots, I've seen alot of people here ***** because we go to conservative late

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[papillon]

Or if JuJu makes the catch on that we win by double digits.
NE was up in the box trying to stop the run, those medium routes were gone, it was either just keep running, or take a shot with man to man defense.
Or if Boswell his the 35 yard FG we win by double digits

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

If Juju makes the catch its on ESPN highlight reel forever, he wasn't open. I don't think the Steelers ran one screen pass today, that would have been a good time for one with NE bringing pressure.
Vance McDonald and Jesse James are huge targets, their routes were there IMO, particularly if the Pats were crowding the box.
The Steelers can't count on Boswell to make anything, if I were the OC, I would be using 4 downs to get firsts when I'm in positive territory and punt when in negative territory.

Papillon

 

[papillon]

I'm not going to complain about taking shots, I've seen alot of people here ***** because we go to conservative late

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

Situational football, when trying to run out almost 6 minutes of clock to preserve victory, keep the clock moving with high percentage plays, an incomplete pass is a free timeout to Tom Brady, that's never good. It worked out today, NE shot themselves in the foot with penalties, but the win is still nice.

Papillon

 

[Coryea]

If Juju makes the catch its on ESPN highlight reel forever, he wasn't open. I don't think the Steelers ran one screen pass today, that would have been a good time for one with NE bringing pressure.
Vance McDonald and Jesse James are huge targets, their routes were there IMO, particularly if the Pats were crowding the box.
The Steelers can't count on Boswell to make anything, if I were the OC, I would be using 4 downs to get firsts when I'm in positive territory and punt when in negative territory.

Papillon

I would've liked a few screens to, but he hit a few third down passes to extend that last FG drive. The couple shots we took were vertical routes, there were no other options

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Coryea]

Situational football, when trying to run out almost 6 minutes of clock to preserve victory, keep the clock moving with high percentage plays, an incomplete pass is a free timeout to Tom Brady, that's never good. It worked out today, NE shot themselves in the foot with penalties, but the win is still nice.

Papillon

I'm not disagreeing, but those shots downfield were the only options on those plays, which is why they took them, man to man.

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[papillon]

I would've liked a few screens to, but he hit a few third down passes to extend that last FG drive. The couple shots we took were vertical routes, there were no other options

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

Agreed, Ben hit some big 3rd downs on the final drive, I'm not a fan of the one option routes when you're trying to make 1st downs. They had the one play to Antonio that the Pats sniffed out, he was the only option and Ben tried hitting Samuels (I think) after he saw the play break down but the pass was incomplete. For me, 3rd and 6, I'd rather give Ben options, than call a play that requires one player to get open.

Papillon

 

[madinsomniac]

Situational football, when trying to run out almost 6 minutes of clock to preserve victory, keep the clock moving with high percentage plays, an incomplete pass is a free timeout to Tom Brady, that's never good. It worked out today, NE shot themselves in the foot with penalties, but the win is still nice.

Papillon

In this version of the NFL trying to run out clock is literally the stupidest move you can make... turtle football or prevent D is asking for a loss. Like it or not you have to run a full offensive plan until you can kneel it out... welcome to Roger Goodells nfl...

 

[Steelworth]

They seemed to just ignore Gronk, like they were saving him for the end of the game. Not sure what was up with that.

They doubled Gronk basically the entire game. They definitely had a good plan for him. What'd he end up with, 1 catch?

 

[slashsteel]

No big plays outside of the miscommunication that resulted in the only touchdown of the game. I think Brady only had a handful of deep shots throughout the game.

New England finished with 14 penalties--a number they aren't used to seeing on their side.

They seemed to just ignore Gronk, like they were saving him for the end of the game. Not sure what was up with that.

I was also surprised they didn't use James White in the passing game. That is the type of running back who could've had a very productive day if they go him involved

They weren't ignoring Gronk, Steelers actually affectively doubled him and took him out of the game. Difference this time compared to last? Their coverage was actually effective.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Apparently somebody told the steelers that it was legal to move your players around when the offense moves their guys. It's even legal to double cover their best guy

 

[xjx]

It took someone from outside the organization to teach Tomlin and Butler how to run the defense. Maybe we should hire him and fire Tomlin and Butler.

 

[Punxsutawney]

They had some help with a couple suspect holding calls, but outside of that early busted coverage, it seemed to me that the scheme and execution were very solid.

They made Gronkowski a non-factor and forced Brady to hold the ball a lot.

I'd like to know why we cannot see this stuff on a more consistent basis.

 

[bigtwnvin]

Jalen Samuels laying 132 (or was it 142) rushing yards on the Cheats. But for the life of me I don't know why the Steelers on 1st and goal insist on passing into the end zone! Where is the full back? No I Formations or options?
All that work moving down field only to have Bozwell muff a 3 point attempt.
"Stubbornness and Arrogance"

 

[Coach]

The pass rush was good and it seems like the middle of the field was well guarded. For once we knew where they were going with the football.

I’d have to see the game film, and the coaches better study it for the future. On a day when AB and JU-JU only had 84 yards...we won.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Coryea]

The pass rush was good and it seems like the middle of the field was well guarded. For once we knew where they were going with the football.

I’d have to see the game film, and the coaches better study it for the future. On a day when AB and JU-JU only had 84 yards...we won.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

I know one thing we had to work for every passing yard we got, it seemed like their DBs were in our pass catchers back pocket every completion

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Romo pointed out how the steeler D was bracketing Gronk on every play with a backer and a db. x

 

[slashsteel]

Romo pointed out how the steeler D was bracketing Gronk on every play with a backer and a db. x

‏

@Alex_Kozora
13h13 hours ago
More
Rob Gronkowski's career vs the Steelers:

2010: 5 receptions, 72 yards, 3 TDs
2011: 7 receptions, 94 yards
2013: 9 receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD
2015: 5 receptions, 94 yards, 3 TDs
2016: 4 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
2017: 9 receptions, 168 yards

Today: 2 receptions, 21 yards

 

[Hines57]

Pressure. We got pressure on them and except for a couple of breakdowns we stayed on them the whole game. Now lets see if they can duplicate the formula for Brees

 

[slashsteel]

Pressure. We got pressure on them and except for a couple of breakdowns we stayed on them the whole game. Now lets see if they can duplicate the formula for Brees

Especially on the road. Saints are a better team this year than the cheats IMO, it will take another complete team effort.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

The boys played with a bit of passion we've not seen in weeks, football is a game of emotion and you could tell we were in a must win situation and the Pats were not as interested...simple as that

The D looked better with Artie OFF the field and Hilton on it
Seemed like they were showing nothing and we gave every bit we had, maybe the Hoodie was just using this as a scout game for a potential playoff rematch.

Did it really take an outside coach to realize rush Watt more and drop him into coverage less? If so that is very sad Mr. T

 

[Roy92040]

Pats had a few drops and a ton of penalties. Plus Brady just chucked up a ball which was picked off by Haden. We also took gronk out of the game

I've never seen NE commit so many penalties. I think last years the penalties would of went their way. And how many ints. were called back because of penalties? I know at the end Brady was running around wanting a penalty on just about every play. LOL

 

[slashsteel]

I've never seen NE commit so many penalties. I think last years the penalties would of went their way. And how many ints. were called back because of penalties? I know at the end Brady was running around wanting a penalty on just about every play. LOL

That is because the pats are used to getting the calls. And whine like a ***** when they don't.