What to Watch For: Patriots vs Steelers
Sunday, December 17, 2017
The New England Patriots (10-3) will play their biggest game of the season on Sunday when they visit the (11-2) Pittsburgh Steelers.
A Patriots win would give them the inside track clinching the number one overall seed in the AFC.
A Patriots loss would mean the Steelers would clinch the top seed. It could also mean that the Patriots drop out of a first-round bye if Jacksonville wins.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"If you pick this game and you lose every game before it, it won't matter much if you win or lose, I think. Obviously, we've done some good things throughout the season, and this is the next game against a very good football team, AFC opponent. So this time of year, each game's the biggest game that you've played thus far, and this one's no different. It's a huge game for us, and we've got to be prepared and try to go out there and play well," said Patriots safety Devin McCourty.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick added, "They've been playing well all year but especially over the last couple of months. They've put a lot of big wins together, played a lot of good football at the most critical times of the game when they needed to. It's a well-balanced team, very explosive on offense, good on defense, good in the kicking game, have a lot of great players, well coached, tough, hard-nosed, physical team. We've had a long history of great competitive games with them."
Game time is set for 4:25 p.m.
Patriots vs Steelers
This week's matchup will be the 31st meeting overall and the third straight year that the Patriots and Steelers will play in the regular season.
Last season, New England went into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 27-16 in October. The Patriots beat the Steelers again later that season in the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots have won the last four meetings overall with wins in the regular season in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and the 2016 AFC Championship Game.
Pittsburgh leads the regular season series 14-11 overall.
The Patriots are 3-2 all-time at Heinz Field since it opened in 2001.
Related Slideshow: 5 Things to Watch For: Patriots vs Steelers
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