AFC Championship Game
See you there. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/OmPheZMXPF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 16, 2017
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
- Sunday January 22 6:40 p.m. ET
- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough MA
- Line: Patriots -6
If a shoot out isn’t the style of game you are looking for, tune into the AFC Championship Game, which should be a hard fought, physical battle.
Most Conference Championship Appearances in NFL History! pic.twitter.com/JCCLi6fyTd
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2017
Both teams featured in this AFC Championship Game are no strangers to the big stage. This is the fifth time these two teams will meet in the playoffs, and the Patriots have the upper hand, winning three of the four matchups. Two of the victories the Patriots picked up were in the AFC Championship Game in years that the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl (2002, 2005). Although the Steelers do hold a slim advantage against the Patriots all-time 15-14, the Patriots have won the last three matchups including a 27-16 victory in week 7.
A sub-headline coming out of this game is the Antonio Brown saga. Brown has been extremely effective on the field, especially in the playoffs. In fact a 100 yard receiving game on Sunday would have him break a tie at four with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for most consecutive 100 yard receiving games in the playoffs. Problem is this week Antonio Brown has been attracting attention off the field due to his Facebook Live post of Mike Tomlin after the Steelers victory over the Chiefs last week, in which he called the Patriots a**holes.
Although Brown apologized for sharing a locker room video that should have stayed within the organization, the distraction it caused was already in full effect. The media sensation that followed the Brown Facebook Live post was similar to the attention the New York Giants wide receivers brought upon themselves for partying on a yacht before their playoff game. Antonio Brown needs to make sure the media distraction does not affect him the same way it did the Giants wide receivers, who struggled throughout their contest with the Green Bay Packers.
Tom Brady.
GOAT. pic.twitter.com/hgQrdXSa25
— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2017
Love him or hate him, there is no denying Tom Brady‘s incredible success rate in the playoffs. Brady and company on Sunday will play in their sixth straight AFC Championship Game, an NFL record. Brady is also playing with a chip on his shoulder after being suspended for his role in Deflategate. A win on Sunday and the Patriots will move them into a tie for the most Super Bowl appearances of all-time. A win for Brady means he will build upon his own record (6) for most Super Bowl starts by a quarterback all-time.
So… What’s the deal with @L_bell26’s patience behind the line of scrimmage? #NextGenStats https://t.co/nffbEf6gYh
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2017
One of the more intriguing aspects of this game will the performance of the Patriots front seven. The main objective for front seven should not necessarily be to put pressure on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but rather focus on slowing down running back Le’Veon Bell, a task that is easier said than done.
Bell has been on an absolute tear this postseason, picking up 337 yards on the ground in two games. Bell is an extremely patient runner, and no one in the game today does a better job of waiting for the offensive line to open up running lanes. The defensive line needs to hold their ground, and the linebackers need to plug the holes in order to have any chance for the Patriots to contain Bell.
Prediction: Steelers 17 Patriots 20- Although this will be a hard fought game and the Le’Veon Bell should give the Patriots defense fits, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will find a way to win this game in the end.
The ????? #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ckzMPk599P
— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2017
