By Sean Geddes 

Sunday night the Steelers square off with the New England Patriots, in what I believe is the Steelers toughest test to date. And for the first time all year, I have defensive concerns. The way this Patriots offense matches up with the current Steelers defensive squad will keep me focused on our secondary more than in any other game this season.

Our defensive philosophy for some time now is to not allow the big plays, and limit the opposing offense to short passes.  Make the opposing offense dink and dunk, until they make a mistake or we stop them.

Unfortunately their offensive philosophy revolves around short passing plays, timing routes, and receivers making plays with the ball in their hands. Since the Randy Moss trade the Patriots have looked much more like the team that started the 2000’s a perennial Superbowl contender and less like the aerial fireworks show that brought them offensive success but no championships in the last few seasons.

Only emphasizing this is the fact that Tom Brady has been making great decisions, and not making very many mistakes. His interception rate is at 1.4%, which would be his lowest over the course of his hall of fame career. Throwing only four interceptions on 261 attempts, Brady will not give us many opportunities to turn a drive around in our favor. He isn’t even fumbling, which is something that has bothered him from time to time.

Don’t read this the wrong way, there are many ways that this game can easily (okay, relatively easily for professional football) be a win. The Pats’ secondary has been beaten multiple times this year and this Roethlisberger guy is no slouch. Their running defense has been shredded, including just last week by Peyton Hillis and the Browns.

Our offense is capable of winning us this game, especially with the Patriots defensive concerns. As long as our beat up line gives us a chance, we will be in this game.

I think we still win this game, I’m just saying I think this is the toughest matchup we have faced defensively all year; and at the very least this is the game that could further prove that this Steelers team can overcome adversity like no other team in the game today.

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