Patriots-Steelers Week 7 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots head to Pittsburgh for a Week 7 showdown against the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers.
This marquee matchup has lost a little luster with Big Ben out with a knee injury, but it should still be one of the better games of the season. Here's how the CBS Boston sports team sees Sunday afternoon playing out:
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
The Patriots take their show on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, the big story is no Ben Roethlisberger, who had knee surgery on Monday.
Tom Brady has six touchdown passes in two games. Look for him to throw three more in Pitt.
Patriots 34, Steelers 17
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
This is one of those games you circle if you're an NFL fan, between two of the best franchises in the league that have done nothing but win over the last 15 years.
For me, it's a Coach/QB league and with no Big Ben, I like the Pats. Tom Brady is 8-2 against the Steelers in his career, including a 4-2 mark in Pittsburgh. And, he's thrown 24 touchdowns and only three Interceptions against Pittsburgh.
Patriots 34, Steelers 21
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
So maybe, my prediction would have been a little bit different if Ben Roethlisberger was playing. Regardless though, this will be a tough game for the Patriots.
The Steelers running attack will have to take center stage because I feel that's what the Pats are going to try to stop. Seems strange to want a team to try and get the ball to Antonio Brown or Darirus Heyward-Bey, but this is Landry Jones throwing the rock and the Pats are going to take their chances.
New England's offense will cause problems for this Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers are terrible against the run and they can't stuff the box with Gronk and Bennett on the field.
I don't see this as a blow out but I think the Pats do win.
Patriots 26, Steelers 14
Adam Kaufman, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
The Patriots are 5-1 and in line for an AFC-best sixth straight win because, let's be honest, even with Deflategate most everything's breaking the Pats' way these days.
Ben Roethlisberger is the NFL's leader with 16 touchdown passes and he would've undoubtedly given a perhaps over-hyped Patriots defense a challenge, but the QB's knee surgery-forced absence leaves New England facing starter Landry Jones in Pittsburgh. The Oklahoma product has three career touchdowns and five interceptions, including the postseason, entering his third start. It will be fascinating to see how he attempts to utilize former All-Pros Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Will the Steelers play keep-away from Tom Brady and run the ball with Bell and DeAngelo Williams, or force the ball to Brown in hopes one of the league's elite talents can make big play after big play?
I don't know. I do know I trust the Patriots' offense against a middling, banged up Steelers defense more than I fear what's left of Pitt's offense. This feels like a game that'll be close for a while, before the visitors cover the 7-point spread.
Patriots 31, Steelers 20
Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
Here's a stat for you: Landry Jones is at the bottom for qualified QB's in the category of interception percentage over the past two seasons. Even without Big Ben, the Steelers still have their weapons and the Pats defense has been having trouble on third down.
But I think Brady and the New England offense will have their way on Sunday. Get ready for a big homecoming for LeGarrette Blount; he'll be over the century mark in rushing yards with a pair of TD's.
Patriots 28, Steelers 17
Rob "Hardy" Poole, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The Jayhawks tell us in the song 'Haywire,' "Headed up to Pittsburgh/Heard you could get a pretty good sandwich for 15 and a dime." Fifteen. And a dime.
That's your final score.
Patriots 15, Steelers 10
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