Storyline: All signs point to a shootout on Sunday between the Patriots and the Steelers. Expect this one to go down to the wire.
This Sunday the Steelers make the unforgiving trip to Foxboro, MA and in what should be a close match-up. Pittsburgh may even have an unexpected edge against the four-time Super Bowl winning Patriots.
Pittsburgh Has “The Killer B’s”
L’Veon Bell (photo, zimbio.com)
Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are possibly the most deadly football trio of all time. All three are big play players, which was displayed in full against the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round.
Big Ben: Throwing 29 touchdowns in 14 games was an impressive season for Pittsburgh’s quarterback. He has an abundance of quality targets, from fellow Killer B Antonio Brown, to tight-end Ladarius Green. They are major Red Zone threats in his arsenal backed up by an incredible arm to deliver excellent passes. But, to win, Big Ben can’t turn over the ball and throw picks. Ben has thrown three picks already in two postseason games. If he continues to do that on Sunday it will likely be the difference between going home or going to Houston.
Antonio Brown (photo, The Sporting News)
Antonio Brown: In a league with Odell Beckham Jr and Julio Jones it’s difficult to say who is the best receiver in the NFL. But Antonio Brown either is the best or comes pretty close. Putting up a 1200-yard season with 12 touchdowns is the basis of making that claim. Malcolm Butler vs Brown should be an interesting match-up after what we saw in Week 7 — with Butler intercepting a Brown-headed ball in the end zone.
Le’Veon Bell: Bell posted 1000 yards+ and averaged 4.9 yards per carry with his unique running style. He’ll almost certainly be a huge factor on Sunday. New England cannot afford to blitz, leaving Bell to eat up yards. However, if Pittsburgh is to win, then Bell is going to have to add touchdowns to his yards–unlike the game versus the Chiefs. Pittsburgh needs Brown in the end zone.
Tom Terrific, Bend-Not-Break, and the Well-Oiled Patriots Offense
The Patriots find themselves in the AFC Championship game for the sixth straight year. And, once again, it comes as no surprise. But they’re going to have to step up their game to beat these Steelers.
Tom Brady (photo, AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Tom Brady: Posting 28 touchdowns and a record-setting season with only two interceptions, it’s safe to say that Brady is still as good as ever … even at age 39. His performance against Houston was by Brady-standards pretty poor. If he repeats that on Sunday, then New England will fall short. But Brady will be facing a defense that’s worse than Houston’s. And he also has in his corner one of the greatest head coaches of all time as well as a very creative offensive coordinator.
The Offense: Unlike Pittsburgh, the Patriots’ offense isn’t packed to the rafters with elite playmakers. However the talent is not only sufficient, it’s molded by Josh McDaniels to put up 30+ points a game. Despite Dion Lewis’ record-breaking three-touchdown game (1 rushing, 1 receiving, and 1 kick return), you still have to say that Lewis had a mixed bag of a game–turning the ball over once and fumbling twice more. The fumbling must be eliminated if the Pats are to win on Sunday.
Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan were huge against the Texans. With Mitchel still questionable, it looks like Michael Floyd will be back and needs to be executing his routes much better to keep the offense on the field. The offensive line has struggled against the likes of Clowney and Mercilus. but should fare better against the Steelers.
Malcolm Butler (photo, TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Bend-Don’t-Break: New England hasn’t given away many points this season, but the fact of the matter is that they haven’t faced many difficult offenses. This Sunday will be the Pats’ biggest test. Butler and Ryan must be near perfect against an incredible pass attack and the D-Line needs to make sure that Big Ben is under as much pressure as possible.
A feature of the Pats since their bye week has been a much improved pass rush, which now averages 3 sacks per game. And New England’s Red Zone defense is very strong, quite possibly the difference maker on Sunday.
Closing Statement on the Steelers
The Killers B’s may be buzzing, but all may in vain if James Harrison, emerging Alvin Dupree, and the rest of the defense don’t shine. The key for the Steelers is to force turnovers and to avoid that fate on offense. If that script holds, then Pittsburgh will be Super Bowl-bound.
Closing Statement on the Patriots
The Pats’ offense must improve from Divisional Round play if New England is to make the Super Bowl. The defense cannot let Antonio Brown get open in the End Zone as did Will Fuller. The Pats key to success are minimizing turnovers and keeping the offense on the field.
************************
All signs point to a shootout on Sunday. Expect this one to go down to the wire.
Sources:
http://www.nfl.com/player/benroethlisberger/2506109/careerstats
http://www.nfl.com/player/benroethlisberger/2506109/careerstats
http://www.nfl.com/player/antoniobrown/2508061/profile
http://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/game?gameId=400874506
http://www.nfl.com/player/le’veonbell/2540175/careerstats
http://www.nfl.com/player/tombrady/2504211/profile
http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400927746
http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400927746
http://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup?gameId=400927746
