NewEngland(6-2)hasbeenwithoutstartingdefensivetacklesVinceWilforkandTommyKellyforthepastthreeweeks.Wilfork,theheartofthedefensethelast10years,wasplacedonseason-endinginjuredreserveOct.3withatornrightAchillestendon,andKellyhasbeensidelinedforthelastthreegameswithakneeinjury.MiddlelinebackerandleadingtacklerJerodMayoalsowaslostfortheseason,placedoninjuredreservetwoweeksagowithatornpectoralmuscle.ThePatriotsarenowpreparingforthePittsburghSteelers(2-5)withavastlydifferentdefensivecastthantheystartedwithintrainingcamp.