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New England Patriots 2016 Season Prediction

By Jaydeen Allen

Jan 27, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXVIII championship ring to commemorate the New England Patriots victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004 on display at the at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 27, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXVIII championship ring to commemorate the New England Patriots victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004 on display at the at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Week 7 – New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers *CBS 4:25pm EST* 

Sep 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) greet each other on the field following the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) greet each other on the field following the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Brady-Roethlisberger VIII

Will this be the next big rivalry in the NFL since Peyton Manning has retired?

It’s fair to say that Ben Roethlisberger is a bigger rival to Tom Brady than Joe Flacco at this point. However, similar to the beginning of the Brady-Manning rivalry, it wasn’t much of a “rivalry” as Brady has a record of 6-2 against the Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers. One should note though, those two losses come on the road (2004, 2011).

This season it looks likely that the AFC will go through either Foxboro or Heinz Field, so the winner of this game could easily determine the outcome of the playoffs. Surprisingly, Brady and Roethlisberger have never played a playoff game in Foxboro.

It’s safe to say both teams will be highly motivated, especially the Steelers who have been outplayed by the Patriots the last couple games. RB DeAngelo Williams also continues to add fuel to the fire, as his dislike towards the Patriots is made well known and at the end of their last matchup, HC Mike Tomlin claimed issues in New England are always the case.

The Steelers boast one of the most explosive offenses in the league, if not the best.

Why?

A three headed monster in Big Ben, WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell. With the addition of TE Ladarius Green, will help stretch the field. He hasn’t made much of an impact on the field, but that could change after not having to play second fiddle to Antonio Gates and getting passes thrown to him from Roethlisberger. Luckily for New England, WR Martavis Bryant won’t be able to suit up for this game (suspended for the entire season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy), but the Steelers still have good receiving depth.

On the other side of the ball, the Steelers are a mystery.

Their run defense has improved over the past two seasons, although, the Steelers pass rush and pass coverage has struggled mightily. The front seven is old and the secondary is young and inexperienced. Tomlin still has a lot of work to do, but the real question is will they be able to take the next step?

It is also well-documented that the Steelers for some reason don’t know how to properly play defense against the Patriots. Brady has constantly been able to exploit their defense time after time.

Both New England and Pittsburgh’s offense will score 20+ points and there is no doubt about that,  but this game will ultimately come down to the matchup of the Steelers’ offense against the Patriots’ defense.

If the Patriots are able to make the Steelers one dimensional, the game could very well get ugly quick. But if the Steelers are able to move the ball on the ground and make big plays downfield as they usually do, this game could come down to the final play of the game.

Final. 31. 55. 35. 47

Record: 5-2

Next: Week 8 - Returning the Favor

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