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New England Patriots (2-10) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
This one is a bit of a disappointing match-up.
Maybe a couple of years ago, when the Pats were playoff contenders and almost won the AFC East division title, it might have been something special. Now, however, it feels like a clear mismatch.
Entering this game, Bill Belichick and the Patriots are 2-10, one of the worst records of any team in the league. The Steelers, meanwhile, enter with a record of 7-5 and are in the thick of the playoff hunt, despite a disappointing setback last weekend, when they lost at home to the lowly Cardinals.
True, maybe this should give New England some kind of hope, or possibly a chance in this one. But personally, I think it actually makes this game even more of a challenge, because the Steelers already suffered a letdown in front of their home fans. Slipping in one game against a heavy underdog, and at a crucial point in the season, is one thing. If they dropped a second straight home game to a team with a terrible record? Well, let's just say that the home fans will let them know it. Many people would quickly drop the Steelers from the company of serious playoff caliber teams. They would be lambasted and very publicly humiliated, all the more because this is a nationally televised game.
All of which is a large part of the reason why I don't believe that it will happen twice, especially not in a row. Pittsburgh already suffered a letdown, losing to a team which frankly, they have no business losing against. They know that they do not have much wiggle room, and that they need to take every game seriously. But the Steelers are clearly the better team. After all, they have a much better record overall for a reason. For a number of reasons, actually. My suspicion is that we will see all of the reasons that they are the far better of these two teams when they actually take the field.
My pick: Pittsburgh
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