By Steve Buckley
December 13, 2017
(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Thank you, Miami Dolphins, for ramping up the volume to Sunday’s big Patriots-Steelers showdown at Heinz Field.
We can talk all we want about why the Pats lost Monday night — Tom Brady went off the cliff (Max Kellerman: Right again!), the Pats seemed to lack energy, Rob Gronkowski, Marcus Cannon and Trey Flowers were out of the lineup, etc. — but it still brings us to the same place. And that place is Pittsburgh.
It’s true that Sunday’s game was going to be must-see TV anyway, with or without the Pats’ stink bomb 27-20 loss to the Dolphins Monday night. Pats-Steelers may be several notches below Pats-Jets or Pats-Broncos, but it’s enough of a rivalry that most New England fans can recite past scores, as well as past score-settling.
This is partly because both teams have been very good for a very long time. But let’s not forget that little breach of decorum back in January 2002, when, in the run-up to the AFC title game, the Pats perceived the Steelers as being a little too public about their travel plans to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.
Not to mention that, after the Pats emerged with a 24-17 victory, Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart made this unfortunate remark: “It’s frustrating because we were that close, but the best team doesn’t always win sometimes.”
So there’s some there there.
But because of what happened against the Dolphins Monday night at Whatever They’re Calling It This Week Stadium, there’s one element that’ll be missing on Sunday. For the lack of any way to put it, let’s just call it . . . Patriot Nation Hubris.
The major flaw in the Pats-Steelers rivalry is that it’s mostly been one of those hammer-and-nail jobs. The Pats almost always beat the Steelers. If we limit the discussion to games started by Tom Brady — and, really, that’s all that matters — the Pats are 10-2 against the Steelers, including a 3-0 record in playoff encounters.
As recently as three weeks ago, all signs pointed to Sunday’s game being more of the same. Brady was going to throw touchdown passes, Gronk was going to spike the ball a couple of times, and, when it was over, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was going to be wanting to exchange registrations with the make-believe truck that hit him.
Anyone feel that way right now?
For real?
This isn’t some sky-is-falling, hot-takish, click-baity Death Ride I’m taking you on. I believe the Patriots are (probably) the better team. I believe the Pats will (probably) win on Sunday. And I (heartily) believe Tomlin will pull some kind of zone-defense lever that creates implausible opportunities for Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Tomlin's so pumped for this game that he was blathering about 'fireworks" even before the Pats were next on the schedule, something that should scare Steelers fans, not Pats fans.
And yet . . .
Don’t know about you, but the highlight of Monday’s game took place in the third quarter, when Pats safety Duron Harmon was seen delivering a dose of shake-the-ground, peel-the-wallpaper oratory at his defensive comrades. It was breathtaking to behold, as one could easily see that Harmon had the laser-beam focus of his teammates. And tell me you didn’t notice that defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, a man considered to be one of the very best in the business, stood in rapt silence as Harmon spoke, understanding the importance and necessity of what was happening.
When Harmon held one of these fireside chats during Super Bowl LI, it worked. It didn’t quite work this time, but that he had to do it at all — against the Dolphins — is something Pats fans might want to file away for future discussion.
The Pats simply haven’t been much in the looks department the last couple of weeks. Brady really did look bad against the Dolphins (Max Kellerman: Right again!), and it really did hurt not to have Gronkowski out there. (Obligatory note: Gronk is a great guy and not a dirty player!!! And the week off will make him stronger for the playoffs!!!)
The Steelers, meanwhile — you know, the nail to the Pats’ hammer — keep piling up win after win after win, including back-to-back, hard-fought victories over divisional opponents.
Two weeks ago, Pats-Steelers had the look, the feel, of a New England coronation. The Pats were going to win, win big, and in doing so claim top-dog status in the AFC and the home-field playoff status that comes with it.
It’s all different now in that the Pats can’t just sit back and wait for the Steelers to screw up.
This time, the Pats have to play great football, something that’s been in short supply the last couple of weeks.
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