Musket Fire
FanSided

New England Patriots: What to root for in Week 16

By Patrick Morgan

<> at New Era Field on October 29, 2018 in Buffalo, New York.
<> at New Era Field on October 29, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

3. The Steelers are just half a game behind the Patriots in the AFC.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 26: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a 5-yard touchdown pass during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 26, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 26: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a 5-yard touchdown pass during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 26, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Climbing further up the AFC ladder is awesome; falling further down it is not.

The loss to the Steelers was damaging to more than just New England spirits. It also brought Pittsburgh within half a game of passing the Patriots in the conference pecking order.

If the Steelers won out and the Pats slipped again – be it against Buffalo or against New York – Pittsburgh would claim the No. 3 seed on a superior overall record (10-5-1 compared to 10-6).

That nightmarish scenario would translate to New England probably hosting the dangerous Chargers in the Wild Card Round, an outcome no one wants to see except greedy television executives.

Better to keep the Steelers where they’re supposed to be: safely behind New England in the No. 4 or even the No. 6 slot. If there is a rematch, let it happen in Foxborough this time.

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints can help take care of that with a win over the Steelers on Sunday.

Home/Patriots News