THE 50-YARD LINE

     Down by the banks of the River Charles! Happy Pigskins & Pucks Day! Our Pittsburgh Steelers take their postseason show on the road to New England this evening to battle the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. These are your keys for tonight's game. 1)It's no secret that the Pats have dominated this series throughout the last several years, including winning an earlier matchup this season. At 14-2 during the regular season, they locked up the #1 see in the AFC. To be the best, you've got to beat the best! 2)Everyone on offense needs to get involved, not just the Killer B playmakers. Someone else has to catch the ball to create space for RB Le'Veon Bell and WR Antonio Brown to work. And QB Ben Roethlisberger needs to improve his play. He hasn't been coming up big on the road as he has in year's past. #7 can't shrink during the big moments. Big Ben needs to play BIG and take the crowd out of the equation. Settling for field goals in this game just won't do. Score early, score often, score BIG! 3)New England QB Tom Brady has one of the fastest triggers in the game. What he doesn't have is his favorite receiver, TE Rob Gronkowski. Former Pitt standout RB Dion Lewis helped negate that loss with some special special teams play last week versus Houston. The Steelers speedy, young defenders such as LBs Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree as well as DBs Sean Davis and Artie Burns need to rattle Brady's cage. The special teamers need to contain Lewis like they did KC's Tyreek Hill last week. Win and you're in. Get ready for a beatdown in Beantown. Hit 'em early, hit 'em often, hit 'em HARD! Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!