5 Reasons the Steelers Will Beat the Patriots

Ben Roethlisberger Needs his 'A' Game on Sunday

I still can't believe I am attempting this article, but what are you going to do.  For those that are curious, no I am not inebriated...just trying to stir the pot before the Steelers take the field this Sunday.  Say what you want, but the Steelers actually do have a chance to win this Sunday at Foxborough at 4:25, and I'll tell you why:

1 - The Steelers Play Up to Their Competition - This has always been the case with the Steelers.  Even in the years that they won Super Bowls 40 and 43, there were teams that always got their full attention (Ravens, Patriots, Colts) and those that often times got the "half assed" attempt (Browns, Jaguars, Raiders).  Sometimes against those lesser opponents the Steelers were good enough to scratch out an "ugly win", but this year that isn't the case.  The Pats will get the Steelers attention this week, just like the Ravens did two weeks ago, and don't be surprised if the Steelers elevate their game accordingly.

2 - Tom Brady is "Off" - No one has thrown more off target passes this year, and the receiving corps that Brady has sure isn't a Pro Bowl roster.  Brady has made lemonade out of lemons before, and certainly has done so this season.  The Steelers will have to get to Brady early and often and keep him off his timing patterns.  The biggest challenge for the Steelers will be covering Rob Gronkowski, but Brady being a bit "off" only increases the Steelers' chances of hanging around this Sunday.

3 - Something to Prove - The Steelers are due for a bounce back game.  Some called the Raiders game as a let down game following the big Ravens win.  I couldn't say I completely disagree with those that think that, but in the same way I could see this game as a bounce back game.  The Steelers know what people are saying and how they are viewed.  Within that locker room there are players that still feel this team can compete at a high level, and what better way to do that than on a stage like playing the Patriots in Foxborough?

4 - Ben Being Ben - The Steelers offensive line is banged up, and there are still alot of question marks up front, but if you've followed the Steelers for any amount of time you know that sometimes when the chips are stacked against Big Ben, when the pocket collapses, and when you think he is "dead to rites"...he escapes and makes a huge play.  Well, I think its safe to say that Ben very well could have to make plays like that to win, but I like Ben's odds against this Patriots defense.

5 - Progressive Defense - The Steelers defense has improved little by little each week.  Sure there were some hiccups along the way, but this defense has been getting more turnovers and making plays as every week passes.  This bodes well as the Steelers defense will most likely have to set the table for the Steelers offense to make anything happen.  If the Steelers spot the Patriots a 14 point lead like they did the Raiders, then the game will not even be close to a 3 point deficit at the end.  This game will be on the Steelers defense's shoulders, and whether they can shoulder that load is TBD (to be determined).