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Steelers didn’t need Mike Tomlin’s words to doom them against the Patriots…but they won’t help

COMMENTARY

So, what objective highlights Sunday’s game plan this week as the Patriots prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday’s AFC Championship game? Try and limit the Steelers to only five field goals?

As ill-prepared and mistake-prone as the No. 1-seeded Patriots might have looked during their 34-16 win over the Houston Texans in Saturday’s divisional round playoff game, the proceedings of Sunday’s night’s playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs didn’t exactly build any added level of concern. Pittsburgh’s 18-16 win, buoyed by a six-pack of field goals by Chris Boswell, may have displayed the sheer, offensive power of stud running back Le’Veon Bell (30 carries, 170 yards rushing) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (six catches, 108 yards receiving), but it did little to sway from the potential that the Patriots’ “bend, don’t break” defense won’t have a field day on Sunday evening.