Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Patriots and Steelers in royal clash for shot at Super Bowl

Published 01/21/2017, 08:27 PM
Updated 01/21/2017, 08:27 PM
© Reuters. NFL: AFC Divisional-Houston Texans at New England Patriots

© Reuters. NFL: AFC Divisional-Houston Texans at New England Patriots

By Larry Fine

(Reuters) - In a match-up of NFL royalty, the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's AFC title clash with the winner earning a record ninth trip to the Super Bowl.

Both teams have been on a tear, with the Patriots riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have claimed nine straight.

"It's a big challenge for us," Brady told reporters. "We have to play our best game of the year."

During the regular season the well-balanced Patriots ranked third in the NFL in points scored (27.6 per game), led all teams in allowing 15.6 points per game and are a six-point favorite for Sunday's game.

Pittsburgh ranked 10th in both categories but have gelled in the second half of the season and boast an extraordinary triple threat on offense in Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown.

A harsh tone for the clash was struck immediately after Pittsburgh beat the Chiefs in last week's playoff game in Kansas City when Brown posted a video of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's clubhouse speech online.

The video, sure to bring Brown some punishment by the club and the league, captured Tomlin using profanities in referring to the Patriots.

Tomlin later expressed "regrets" for the bad language, but did not feel it would adversely affect the game or his team.

"You're not going to creep in the back door in New England and win a football game and creep out of there with an AFC championship," he said. "I'm not worried about our team's ability to deal with the potential distractions."

The teams have since been tossing bouquets at one another.

"They're good at everything ... a very explosive and dynamic team," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "It's the two best teams in the AFC. We're glad to be in the game, proud to be playing in it. We earned it, they earned it.

The quarterbacks, meanwhile, hold a mutual respect.

Earlier this season, Roethlisberger asked for and received an autographed jersey of Brady's that now hangs in his office.

"I think he's one of, if not the greatest, quarterbacks of all time," two-time Super Bowl champion Roethlisberger said.

Brady, winner of four Super Bowl rings, will be in his 11th conference championship game since 2001.

© Reuters. NFL: AFC Divisional-Houston Texans at New England Patriots

"Ben's an incredible player," Brady said. "I love the way he plays. Very tough, very hard-nosed."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.