ACR Contributing Writer Michael Egan

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Let’s face it: No one wants to play the New England Patriots after their bye week. It just never seems to end well for opposing teams.

In the past decade, New England is 9-1 when coming off of the bye week. And that one loss came all the way back in 2002 when they dropped one at home to Denver, capping a brutal four-game losing streak. (Remember that? Yeah, me neither. I won’t mention it again if you won’t, deal?)

Nine and one. That includes the 2008 season when Matt Cassel was playing the role of starter in Foxboro.

Speaking of 2008, there are some figures in Boston sports lore that are looked upon with such vehemence and disdain that their middle names are synonymous with curse words. For example, Bucky “Bleeping” Dent and Aaron “Bleeping” Boone. You follow? My question is, when can we add Bernard Pollard to that list? First he ended Tom Brady’s season with that knee-buckling hit. Then, he was the closest to the scene of the crime when Wes Welker’s knee gave out on that shoddy turf in Houston. I’m just saying, his time is due. You know I’m right. This concludes my rant. Back to Steelers vs. Pats.

When given an extra week to study up on an opponent, the Patriots have been downright dominant. Just ask the Bufflo Bills. Buffalo has had the misfortune of drawing the Patriots after a bye week four times in the past decade. They lost every single time, including a 56-10 bludgeoning back in 2007.

That brings us to this season’s post-bye week opponent: the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh comes into this game with a 5-2 record. At times, they’ve looked unstoppable this season. (See their week five shellacking of the Tennessee Titans.) At other times, they’ve looked mediocre at best. (See their week one shellacking, courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens.)

They’re unbeaten at home so far this season, a streak they’d like to keep alive on Sunday. It’s quite a tall order considering Brady’s 6-1 career record against the Steelers. Then again, that one loss did come at Heinz Field back in 2004.

The Steelers are also stingy against the pass, holding opposing teams to just under 172 passing yards per game. Since the Patriots lead the league in passing, averaging a little more than 350 yards per game, this is where Sunday’s game will be won or lost.

Can the Steelers keep Tom Brady in check and minimize New England’s aerial attack? Or will the Patriots have their way on offense and add Pittsburgh to their growing list of post bye-week victims?

One thing Patriots fans can be sure of when it comes to Sunday’s matchup: The winner will be in the proverbial driver’s seat in the AFC. That could mean the difference between home-field advantage in the playoffs and another trip to Pittsburgh in January.

Prediction:

Patriots - 27

Steelers - 24