Wow, a lot of bold and condescending talk, after the narrowest of wins, from Pats fans who were trashing their own team all game long. (Yes, I followed the game thread.) To suggest the game wouldn't have been different with Brown in there is burying heads in the sand. Ben outplayed Brady until the last play. We'll see what happens in January.
OR you can look at it from another direction, GK.
Even though the Steelers were playing at home with an emotional crowd behind them. Even though Ben had his BEST game by far vs the Pats if not his entire career (as far as accuracy, field management, and moving the chains go) Even the pick was on the money. It was just that Rowe got his hand on it. Even though the Steelers went into this game with their best offensive and defensive game plans in recent memory, IMHO. Even though Brady was not particularly sharp (for his standards), and the Pats didn't execute as well as the the Steelers did for most of the game. Even though the Steelers had a huge advantage in time of possession. Even though the Pats were short our leading tackler and best run defender, not to mention we lost OUR best defensive player back in week 5. Even after ALL that, the Steelers were never able to get more than one score ahead of the beleaguered Pats.
That should tell you something beyond the fact the Pats were lucky to get out of P-town with a win. You guys where playing sub standard opponents that you managed to beat by the skin of your teeth for a month now. You had your share of good bounces, luck and calls during THOSE games. THIS time the pendulum finally shifted the other way, and the Pats got the win. That's the way it goes.
I wouldn't make too much of ANY individual game. BB has taught us that each game is its own individual entity that neither takes from the the past or is predictable from the future. There are a lot of Pats fans who think that because we've done so well in the past against Pittsburgh we "own" them. Fortunately BB doesn't think follow that line of thinking.
So when/if we meet again, there will likely be some changes to the cast of characters on both sides. The game plans will be different in various degrees, the officials will be different, the weather will be different, and the result COULD be different. It will all depend on who plays the best and "makes the most big plays", and/or gets the lucky bounces or calls.
BTW- when your friends start the "refs are out to get us" crap, you might want to point out this. Just saw a screen shot of the TD to Rogers. There was a OLman at least 3 yds down field on the this play. Ask your friends, why was the flag picked up??????? I know there are a lot of Pats fans who are conspiracy theorists who would like to know.