This Week
The New England Patriots visit the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Stadium on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.
The Patriots (5-1) are 2-1 on the road, 0-0 against the AFC North and 4-1 in the AFC conference. The Steelers (5-2) are 3-0 at the Ketchup Bottle, 0-0 vs. the AFC East and 3-2 against the AFC conference.
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports have the Patriots at minus 2 1/2. The over under is 52.
My Prediction is Patriots 30, Steelers, 28. Take the points (Steelers) and take the over. I am 3-2-1 against the spread and 5 of 6 on calling the over/under in 2011.
Tickets
The Steelers are reporting the game as a sell out.
Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.
Getting to the Game
If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Pittsburgh make sure you check out the links.
Here is the up to date weather forecast for the game from weather.com for Pittsburgh PA.
Click for all the game day information including stadium directions and parking, stadium information, parking map and a Heinz Field seating chart.
Tailgating
Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.
And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.
Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
CBS in televising the game to most of the nation and Jim Nantz will do play by play while Phil Simms will provide the game analysis. You can look here for your local affiliate.
See if you’re getting the game courtesy of J.P. Kirby at the506.com.
The DirecTV designation is Channel 712.
Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules, flex scheduling and commercial breaks.
Radio
The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play, former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color and new this year Scott Zolak will man the sidelines. It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Andy Gresh and Zolak with the pregame show at 1 p.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.
If you are outside the broadcast are of the stations on the Patriots Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass, which allows you to listen to any game live. You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.
All NFL Games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio also carries all the NFL games under a special additional package. They usually only carry the home team feed.
The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 91 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 870.
The Steelers Radio Network has Bill Hillgrove calling the game while former Steelers player Tunch Ilkin provides the game analysis with Craig Wolfley doing the sideline reporting on their flagship station WDVE-FM. Their call is available on Sirius Channel 86, XM Channel 230 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 872.
Westwood One will also broadcast the game to a national audience amongst its affiliates with Kevin Kugler and Mark Malone calling the game. Their game call can be heard on Sirius Channel 88 and XM Channel 88.
Patriots All Access
Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.
- Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
- Portland ME on WMTW Sunday at 5 a.m.
- Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
- Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
- Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.
You can also watch it anytime on the teams website in the media section.
To continue reading the New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots did not play they were on their bye week; while the Steelers beat the Cardinals, 32-20 on the road.
History
- This is the 26th meeting between the Patriots and the Steelers since the merger in 1970.
- The Steelers lead the all-time series 14-11, which includes a 1-4 record vs. the Patriots in the post season.
- The Patriots are 3-1 at Heinz Field and that includes a crushing 41-27 defeat of the Steelers in the 2004 AFC Championship game.
- The two franchises have appeared in 14 Super Bowls winning a combined nine championships.
- These two teams combined to win 5 of the 10 Super Bowl titles between 2000-09.
- The Patriots won the last meeting in 2010 in Week 10 when they routed the Steelers, 39-26 at Heinz Field.
Patriots Team Notes
Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2011 Patriots Schedule/Results
The Patriots overall franchise record is 406-364-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in six appearances. They last appeared in the playoffs in 2010 when they lost at home to the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 28-21. They last appeared in a Super Bowl in 2007 losing to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII. They won the AFC Conference championship that season with playoff wins over Jacksonville and San Diego.
The Patriots are the defending two-time AFC East Champions; they have won the division 8 times since 2000.
The Patriots are dedicating the 2011 season to the memory of Myra Hiatt Kraft, the late wife of owner Robert Kraft. Every Patriots player and coach will honor Myra’s memory by wearing a patch with her initials on it in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the local and global community and her influence on the charitable mission of the entire Patriots organization. The patch will be worn on the left chest of every player throughout the season.
The Patriots are 8-10 as the road team in the series but are 4-1 at Heinz Field.
New England has won 7 of the last 10 meetings between the teams.
Since 2003 New England is 32-5 in October, they are 14-5 on the road.
New England saw their streak of consecutive games scoring 30 or more points end in Week 6 at 13 games, one shy of the NFL record of 14 set by St. Louis in 1999-2000.
Since 2000 the Patriots share the best road record in the NFL at 59-32 with the Indianapolis Colts.
New England twice has had a season high of four turnovers in a game (at Buffalo, Week 3 and vs. Dallas, Week 6).
The Patriots are 5-1 or better for the 8th time in team history.
The Patriots defense has allowed opponents to convert 42.5% of the time on 3rd down (22nd), while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 53.6% 3rd best in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 10 times in 6 games.
The Patriots are 4th in the NFL in points per game with 30.8. While they allow 22.5 points per game good for 16th in the NFL.
Opponents are outscoring the Patriots 54-52 in the 4th quarter.
New England is now plus 1 in turnover differential, tied for 13th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 8 INT and 2 fumbles, while the defense has 8 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Steelers.
Bill Belichick coached teams are 10-9 vs. Pittsburgh overall. He is 6-2 with New England and 2-6 with Cleveland in the regular season while his teams are 2-1 vs. the Steelers in post season play with his lone loss coming as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 167-95 in 16 NFL seasons. He is 129-52 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 15-6 in the playoffs, 14-5 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 182-101.
Belichick’s 182 wins are good for 10th all-time. Bill Parcells is 9th with 183 wins.
He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 3rd time in 2010.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Light
- LG: Mankins
- C: Connolly
- RG: Waters
- RT: Solder
- QB: Brady
- RB: Green-Ellis
- TE: R. Gronkowski
- TE: Hernandez
- TE: D. Gronkowski
- WR: Branch
Defense:
- DE: Ellis
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Carter
- OLB: Guyton
- ILB: Spikes
- OLB: Ninkovich
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Chung
- S: Ihedigbo
Patriots Players Notes
This Tom Brady’s 12th NFL season he is 6-1 vs. Steelers with 2 of those wins coming in the playoffs.
Brady has a 4 game win streak vs. Pittsburgh. He was injured when the Steelers won 33-10 in 2008.
Overall Brady is 116-33 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 130-38. Brady is a 6 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
In 2010 Brady won his second NFL MVP and he was the first unanimous winner in league history.
Brady is 51-23 on the road in his career in the regular season.
Brady has thrown 16 TD’s and 8 INT’s while being sacked 11 times in 6 games.
Brady has 277 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time. Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290.
With a win on Sunday Brady and Belichick will break the record they share with Dan Marino and Don Shula as the winningest quarterback-coach combination in the Super Bowl era with 116 wins.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 88 consecutive games including playoffs, 71 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
CB Kyle Arrington has a team leading 4 INT’s in 2011, DT Vince Wilfork is 2nd with 2.
CB Devin McCourty leads the team in tackles with 41, S Patrick Chung is 2nd with 38.
DE Mark Anderson leads the team in sacks with 3.5; DE Andre Carter has 2.5 sacks. Anderson also leads the team with 5 quarterback hits while Carter and LB Dane Fletcher each have 4.
Anderson, Wilfork and LB Jerod Mayo have each forced a fumble this season while LB Rob Ninkovich, DL Kyle Love and DE Gerard Warren each have recovered a fumble.
CB Antwaun Molden and LB Tracy White are tied for the team lead with 5 special teams tackles.
Earlier in the week the Patriots released CB Josh Victorian from the practice squad and re-signed 2011 draft pick CB Malcolm Williams from TCU to the practice squad. The 7th round pick originally signed a four-year contract before training camp.
The only players who had no participation in Thursday practice were rookie CB Ras-I Dowling (hip) and LB Dane Fletcher (thumb). Several others were limited in practice. We probably won’t know until just before game time if LB Jerod Mayo will play after being out for 3 weeks.
The Patriots have four New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); S James Ihedigbo (Northampton MA) and DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA). They have 8 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are: WR Deion Branch (Louisville); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); C Dan Koppen (Boston College – IR); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); NT Vince Wilfork (Miami), OL Donald Thomas (UConn); DE Mike Wright (Cincinnati – IR) and DE Ron Brace (Boston College).
The Patriots have 7 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.
Pro Bowl voting is open feel free to cast your votes for deserving players.
Steelers Team Notes
Here is the Steelers roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2011 Steelers Schedule/Results
Pittsburgh’s all-time record is 546-501-20 and they are 33-20 in the post season. Their last post season appearance was in 2010 when they beat the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Division game and the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game and lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. They have won 6 Super Bowl titles (IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, XLIII) in 8 appearances.
Since 2002 Pittsburgh has won 5 AFC North Division titles.
Pittsburgh is 59-22-1 at home including playoffs since 2002.
It will be interesting to see what the playing surface at Heinz Field looks like on Sunday after hosting the Pitt/UConn Big East game on Wednesday night.
The Steelers defense has allowed opponents to convert 38.3% of the time on 3rd down (15th), while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 48.9%, 4th best in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 17 times in 7 games.
The Steelers are 19th in the NFL in points per game with 21.6. While they allow 17.4 points per game good for 3rd in the NFL.
Pittsburgh is now minus 9 in turnover differential, ranked 32nd they are last in the NFL. The offense has given up 6 INT and 6 fumbles, while the defense has 2 INT and 1 fumble recoveries.
Pittsburgh has won 3 straight games since losing to Houston in Week 4.
The Steelers mascot is “Steely McBeam”. I’m not kidding.
The Steelers have called 6 different stadiums “home” over the years. They are Forbes Field, Shibe Park, Comiskey Park, Pitt Stadium, Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field.
The Rooney family has owned the team since its inception in 1933.
The Steelers are the fifth oldest franchise in the NFL.
In 1938 future Supreme Court Justice Byron “Whizzer” White played for Pittsburgh.
The “Terrible Towel” was founded by Steelers radio play by play man Myron Cope in 1975. Much imitated it is the true original.
Pittsburgh has sold out every home game since the 1972 season a streak of 331 games.
The Steelers do not have an official fight song but many versions of “Here we go Steelers” and “The Steelers Polka” have been recorded.
Pittsburgh has the third most inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
AccuScore is predicting a Steelers victory on Sunday.
Steelers Staff Notes
Read what Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Overall in his NFL career Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is 48-23 in 6 seasons with the Steelers and he is 5-2 in the playoffs. When you combine the regular season and postseason records, Tomlin is 53-25.
Tomlin coached teams are 1-2 vs. New England.
He is the third Steelers head coach since 1969 being succeeded by only Bill Cowher (1993-2006) and Chuck Noll (1969-92).
Steelers Players Notes
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 2-4 vs. the Patriots including 0-1 in the post season.
Roethlisberger is 74-31 in 8 NFL seasons. He is 10-3 in the playoffs and overall he is 84-34. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by Steelers out of Miami (OH).
Roethlisberger has thrown 12 TD passes with 6 INT’s. He has been sacked 20 times in 7 games.
Pittsburgh has battled a lot of injuries in recent weeks. Among the players who have suffered injuries are LB James Harrison (fractured eye socket), NT Casey Hampton (shoulder), NT Chris Hoke (neck), S Troy Polamalu (concussion), QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee), WR Hines Ward (sprained knee) and DE Aaron Smith (foot/neck).
Smith has been placed on the season ending IR for the 3rd consecutive season.
Roethlisberger says there’s no problem with his ailing knee and he’s good to go while Ward did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.
RB Rashard Mendenhall had a season high 146 rushing yards against Tennessee in Week 6. It was his 4th highest career total and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Steelers have 2 players who played for a Big East Conference member. They are: CB William Gay (Louisville) and S Ryan Mundy (WVU).
Pittsburgh’s captains for 2011 are: Roethlisberger, Ward, LB James Farrior and WR Arnaz Battle.
The Steelers have 1 officially retired number: 70 – Ernie Stautner. Unofficially the following numbers have not been reissued they are: 12 – Terry Bradshaw; 32 – Franco Harris; 36 – Jerome Bettis; 52 – Mike Webster; 58 – Jack Lambert; 59 – Jack Ham; 63 – Dermontti Dawson and 75 – Joe Greene.
Next Week
The Patriots host the New York Giants next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA. Kick off is at 4:15 p.m. on FOX.
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