AFC championship preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
The particulars
- Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
- Time: 3:40 p.m., Sunday
- Line: Patriots by 6 (O/U 50 1/2)
- TV/radio: Ch. 13 (Jim Nantz, Phil Simms), 1140
Three things to watch
VIDEO BACKLASH?
Most of the early part of the week was consumed by fallout from video of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin using an expletive to describe the Patriots during a postgame speech to his team following its divisional-round win over Kansas City. Unbeknownst to Tomlin, the speech was live streamed on a social media by receiver Antonio Brown. But Patriots special-teams captain Matt Slater said it wouldn’t provide any extra motivation. “We’re playing in the AFC championship game. If you can’t get motivated to play in this game, then you’re in the wrong sport,” he said.
WHO NEEDS GRONKOWSKI?
It always starts with future Hall of Famer Tom Brady for New England. He comes off a so-so (for him) performance against Houston, which will motivate the four-time Super Bowl champion even more. Even without the injured Rob Gronkowski, Brady doesn’t have a problem finding targets: WRs Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and newcomer Michael Floyd. Plus tight end Martellus Bennett, who has capably filled Gronk’s roles. It will be critical for Pittsburgh to create pressure on Brady with the pass rush from linebackers James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons and Bud Dupree. If Brady gets time, it could mean a long night for cornerback Artie Burns and safety Sean Davis, both rookies, and the rest of the secondary.
NO-NAME STEELERS
Pittsburgh reached the AFC title game despite missing wide receivers Martavis Bryant (suspended) the entire season and Markus Wheaton, Sammie Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey for long stretches due to injury. In their place are the likes of seventh-round pick Demarcus Ayers, practice squad graduates Xavier Grimble and Cobi Hamilton, as well as undrafted free agent Eli Rogers. “So, we have a lot of guys that I think can make plays for us, outside of the usual suspects,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “Even if it is one or two big plays a game, sometimes that can be enough, if the play is made at the right time.”
The Associated Press
Injury report
STEELERS
▪ Questionable: TE Ladarius Green (concussion, illness), LB James Harrison (shoulder, triceps), RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (concussion).
PATRIOTS
▪ Questionable: WR Danny Amendola (ankle), TE Martellus Bennett (knee), RB Brandon Bolden (knee), LB Dont’a Hightower (knee), WR Chris Hogan (thigh), WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee), DE Jabaal Sheard (knee).
Patriots AFC championship history
DATE | OPPONENT | OUTCOME |
Jan. 12, 1986 | at Miami Dolphins | W, 31-14 |
Jan. 12, 1997 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | W, 20-6 |
Jan. 27, 2002 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W, 24-17 |
Jan. 18, 2004 | vs. Indianapolis Colts | W, 24-14 |
Jan. 23, 2005 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W, 41-27 |
Jan. 21, 2007 | at Indianapolis Colts | L, 38-34 |
Jan. 20, 2008 | vs. San Diego Chargers | W, 21-12 |
Jan. 22, 2012 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | W, 23-20 |
Jan. 20, 2013 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | L, 28-13 |
Jan. 19, 2014 | at Denver Broncos | L, 26-16 |
Jan. 18, 2015 | vs. Indianapolis Colts | W, 45-7 |
Jan. 24, 2016 | at Denver Broncos | L, 20-18 |
Steelers AFC championship history
DATE | OPPONENT | OUTCOME |
Dec. 31, 1972 | vs. Miami Dolphins | L, 21-17 |
Dec. 29, 1974 | at Oakland Raiders | W, 24-13 |
Jan. 4, 1976 | vs. Oakland Raiders | W, 16-10 |
Dec. 26, 1976 | at Oakland Raiders | L, 24-7 |
Jan. 7, 1979 | vs. Houston Oilers | W, 34-5 |
Jan. 6, 1980 | vs. Houston Oilers | W, 27-13 |
Jan. 6, 1985 | at Miami Dolphins | L, 45-28 |
Jan. 15, 1995 | vs. San Diego Chargers | L, 17-13 |
Jan. 14, 1996 | vs. Indianapolis Colts | W, 20-16 |
Jan. 11, 1998 | vs. Denver Broncos | L, 24-21 |
Jan. 27, 2002 | vs. New England Patriots | L, 24-17 |
Jan. 23, 2005 | vs. New England Patriots | L, 41-27 |
Jan. 22, 2006 | at Denver Broncos | W, 34-17 |
Jan. 18, 2009 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | W, 23-14 |
Jan. 23, 2011 | vs. New York Jets | W, 24-19 |
*Note: AFC championship games started in the 1970-71 postseason
This story was originally published January 21, 2017 at 5:13 PM with the headline "AFC championship preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots."