When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh.
TV, radio: CBS, WBZ-FM (98.5).
When the Steelers run
Le’Veon Bell is the most destructive offensive force in the NFL. Bell has the swiftness of an elite tailback, the strength of an elite fullback, and the sure hands of an elite receiver. Bell has exceptional vision and uncanny patience. He stalls and slides down the line after the handoff until he finds a preferred path, and then explodes through it like few backs can. He can flummox and frustrate defenses. Just when they think they have him closed off, he finds a detour. The 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pounder has excellent size but is light on his feet. He can glide past defenders with speed but can also run through defenders. Rookie James Conner (6-1, 233) is another tough runner but lacks first-step explosiveness and needs to build a head of steam to break tackles. Center Maurkice Pouncey (6-4, 304) has great strength, smarts, and athleticism. He delivers a nice pop off the snap and has the lateral quickness to pick off moving targets on pulls and traps. Right guard David DeCastro (6-5, 316) has violent hands and will shake off his first defender quickly before getting to the second level and chopping down linebackers. Left guard Ramon Foster (6-5, 328) is a wide-bodied bull. He holds up well at the point of attack, but isn’t a great athlete. New England’s front line will need to stack and shed quickly to get an initial shot on Bell and try to slow him, if not stop him. The linebackers have to show equal patience.
When the Steelers pass
Ben Roethlisberger is the King Kong of quarterbacks. A giant man (6 feet 5 inches, 240 pounds) with a giant arm, Roethlisberger is a playmaker pure and simple. He can make every throw in the book — from deep, downfield rainbows to frozen ropes across the middle and to the sideline, to perfectly placed shorties and screens, this 14-year veteran can spin it. Roethlisberger is nimble for a man his size, and his ability to move inside and outside the pocket and extend plays is extraordinary — though he’s taken enough hits that he doesn’t take off as often as he used to. Roethlisberger’s receiving corps might be the deepest in the league. It starts with Antonio Brown — an MVP candidate. The 5-10, 181-pound Brown has superb quickness, speed, and awareness. He creates separation with a lethal first step and deceptive strength. Le’Veon Bell is a superb receiver from any spot in any formation. Rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster (6-1, 215) is competitive and tough and has good hands. Martavis Bryant (6-4, 211) can fly, but his route running and hands can be suspect. Eli Rogers (he’s slick and slippery) is a devil in the slot. Tight end Jesse James (6-7, 261) is a massive target. He catches everything near him and maintains his concentration even when he gets jostled. New England’s secondary is versatile and valuable. There were some struggles in South Florida, but this group has proven it can correct problems in short order.
EDGE: Steelers
PASSING YARDS PER GAME
Pittsburgh offense: 281.5 (second)
New England defense: 253.9 (29th)
When the Patriots run
Following a pair of strong performances, the ground game wilted last week against the Dolphins as the Patriots fell behind and were forced to pass to try to get back in the game. They can’t afford to be one-dimensional Sunday. Dion Lewis is averaging 5.2 yards per carry on the season and getting him involved early is as must. Lewis (5 feet 8 inches, 195 pounds) runs with excellent burst to the hole and surprising inside power. He has a million moves and changes speed fluidly. Lewis will absorb some big hits and get knocked back on occasion, but he tends to get stronger as games go on and when he finds a rhythm he’ll eventually rip off some big gainers. Rex Burkhead (5-10, 210) is a hard charger with good quickness and speed. He runs at good pad level, moves well laterally, and will dip his shoulder to end runs. James White (5-10, 205) is a shifty runner who shows nice acceleration and good open-field vision and moves. Might we see the return of Mike Gillislee this week? The 5-11, 219-pounder is well rested and can be physical at the point of attack. He could help dent a stout Steelers front. Nose tackle Javon Hargrave (6-2, 305) is a load. He gets low and can stun opponents with his explosiveness. Ends Cameron Heyward (he has violent hands) and Stephon Tuitt (he can stack and shed and set the edge) are active and explosive. Inside linebacker Vince Williams reads and reacts rapidly and pursues relentlessly.
EDGE: Patriots
RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
New England offense: 113.2 (15th)
Pittsburgh defense: 102.9 (ninth)
When the Patriots pass
New England’s aerial attack was sluggish against the Dolphins and bouncing back quickly is a must — though it won’t be easy. Having Rob Gronkowski back will help but it’s going to take a group effort to get this train back on track. Getting Tom Brady comfortable (physically and mentally) is a good place to start. Brady has superior recognition skills and is a master at creating mismatches. Gronkowski is the original monster mismatch and Brady will undoubtedly target him early to get him into the flow and help open up the outside for the receiving corps. Brandin Cooks (5 feet 10 inches, 189 pounds) has excellent quickness and speed, and if he can get a step on his defender he can change games in a flash. Chris Hogan has good size, speed, and hands. Having a post-injury week under his belt undoubtedly helps. Danny Amendola is a slick, speedy, and savvy target. He’s quick off the line, finds soft spots, and is fearless across the middle. Kenny Britt is the wild card. He brings excellent size (6-3, 223) and physicality to this group. If Britt’s comfortable with even a handful of plays (and Brady’s comfortable with him) he could have a huge impact this week and down the stretch. James White, Rex Burkhead, and Dion Lewis all are effective receivers. Steelers corners Artie Burns (he’s tall and confident) and Cameron Sutton (he has solid mirror skills) run hot and cold. Free safety Mike Mitchell is rangy gambler.
EDGE: Patriots
PASSING YARDS PER GAME
New England offense: 287.2 (first)
Pittsburgh defense: 200.4 (fourth)
Steelers’ key player: RB Le’Veon Bell
This big, bruising back checks all the important boxes. He can run, he can catch, and he can pick up the blitz. Get this 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pounder in space and he will run around and over defenders.
How he beats you: With patience and power. He attacks the line of scrimmage methodically, sorting through his options before exploding through holes. Bell also has soft, reliable hands and is always open to bail Ben Roethlisberger out.
How to shut him down: With patience and power. Sound familiar? The defensive line has to hold up at the point of attack (no driving upfield) to shut off Bell’s escape routes. This will force him to bounce outside late and get punished by pursuers.
Steelers’ keys to victory
1. Dirty work: Pittsburgh must cash in in the red zone. Chris Boswell is an exceptional, clutch kicker, but touchdowns — not field goals — are needed to beat the Patriots.
2. Cousin Dupree: Linebacker Bud Dupree is a freakish athlete with good speed and power. He has to help set the edge and fill the gaps to limit the Patriots’ running game.
3. Fire in the hole: Getting pressure up the middle on Tom Brady prevents him from stepping up and delivering darts. Get in his face and around his feet to prevent him from getting red hot.
Patriots’ keys to victory
1. Everything must go: Tackles Nate Solder and LaAdrian Waddle have to keep ends Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt out wide to provide a clean pocket for Tom Brady.
2. Bad sneakers: Dion Lewis has quick feet and good power. Get him involved on the first few drives to open up the passing game. When he makes hay, Brady will make the secondary pay.
3. My rival: Malcolm Butler plays his best when he has a chip on his shoulder. He’s got one now. Stick him on Antonio Brown and let him harass the Steelers receiver all the way down the field.
Prediction: Patriots 28, Steelers 27
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
