Sep 12, 2015 4 min read

Let’s get one thing straight. The Steelers did not lose in New England Thursday night because of any issues with the coaches’ headphones.

They lost because they kicked – or at least attempted to kick – field goals while the Patriots were scoring touchdowns.

That’s kind of like taking a whiffle ball bat to use at a baseball game. It’s a losing proposition. The NFL cleared the Patriots of any wrongdoing in regards to issues with the headsets, but the Steelers aren’t the first team to have problems. And if a report on ESPN.com earlier in the week is to be believed, it would be a continuation of a long issue the league has with the Patriots stretching the rules.

Even if the Patriots aren’t cheating, the idea is certainly in the heads of every team that visits Gillette Stadium. And that acts like a good manager in professional wrestling. While the manager causes a distraction, the wrestler comes in for the finishing blow in a sneak attack.

At the very least, the Steelers’ coaches were thinking about the headset problems just enough to take their eyes off the ball.

That said, the Steelers had to come out of the game feeling OK. The Patriots scored 28 points, but considering they scored 28 points in the fourth quarter the last time Pittsburgh played at Gillette Stadium – a 55-31 New England win – that wasn’t all that bad.

Clean up some of mistakes in the secondary – failing to cover tight end Rob Gronkowski with just 10 men on the field is inexcusable – and the outcome might be different if these two teams play again.

And the Steelers left plenty of points on the field with missed field goals. Add Darrius Heyward-Bey not keeping his feet inbounds for an easy touchdown catch, and the Steelers failing to reach the end zone despite having first-and-goal from the 1, and this outcome could have been far different.

On to this week’s games:

The Giants look like a mess.

Take Dallas, 31-20

The Raiders could be a surprise team. Oakland is always a tough place to play.

Take Oakland, 24-23

I don’t know how the offensively challenged Ravens will keep pace with Peyton Manning & Co.

Take Denver, 31-23

Aaron Rodgers threw 10 TD passes against Chicago in two games last season.

Take Green Bay, 27-17

The Dolphins should make the playoffs. These are the kind of games you have to win to make the postseason.

Take Miami, 24-16

The Seahawks always struggle with St. Louis. Upset alert.

Take St. Louis, 23-20

This will not be a gimme for the Colts, who have a bunch of them this season.

Take Indianapolis, 24-20

I like what the Jaguars are building.

Take Jacksonville, 20-17

This should be a track meet.

Take Philadelphia, 34-30

Winston vs. Mariota in a matchup both teams hope will be a longstanding personal rivarly of the top two QBs in this year’s draft.

Take Tampa Bay, 19-14

The 49ers’ defense is going to take a big step back.

Take Minnesota, 21-17

I think the Chiefs will win the AFC West.

Take Kansas City, 24-21

A game even a mother couldn’t love.

Take Cleveland, 17-13

Carson Palmer is back. Can he stay healthy?

Take Arizona, 27-23

I’ll take the home team – or at least the one that still calls San Diego home.

Take San Diego, 30-24

Thursday: ATS, 0-0-1; Straight up: 1-0

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.