NFL Playoffs

ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

New England -- The Patriots won the AFC East and clinched the No. 2 seeding with a 14-2 record. Their only two losses came at Pittsburgh -- a Halloween game that ended New England’s record 21-game winning streak -- and at Miami, then 2-11, an inexplicable defeat in which they blew an 11-point lead in the last three minutes. New England advanced to the title game by pounding Indianapolis in the snow, 20-3.

Pittsburgh -- Who could have guessed when the Steelers selected quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with the 11th pick in the April draft that they would turn to him so soon and that he would respond so well. Roethlisberger, who won his last 13 games as a starter at Miami of Ohio, cruised through his first NFL regular season by winning his first 13 starts, a rookie record. He struggled in the last month, but with the help of an outstanding running game, a stout defense and perhaps football’s best offensive line, the Steelers emerged victorious.

DEFINING MOMENT

New England -- A pivotal victory came at St. Louis a week after the Patriots lost at Pittsburgh. New England neutralized one of football’s most dangerous passing attacks with a secondary that included untested no-name cornerbacks Randall Gay and Earthwind Moreland, and part-time receiver Troy Brown. It was another example of how the Patriots have been able to win in the face of adversity.

Pittsburgh -- Expectations were turned up after Pittsburgh knocked off 6-0 New England and 7-0 Philadelphia in consecutive weeks. That left the NFL without an undefeated team, and gave the league a new Super Bowl front-runner, one with a rookie quarterback.

STRENGTHS

New England -- The brain trust of Bill Belichick and assistants Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel is exceptionally dangerous when given a chance to game-plan, scheme and find the soft spots in an opponent. In winning two Super Bowls in the last three years the Patriots have shown poise and mental toughness. Their defense is built on sound fundamentals and reliable tackling.

Pittsburgh -- Thirty-two-year-old Jerome Bettis scored a career-high 13 touchdowns and had a respectable 941 yards in 250 carries. Now that Duce Staley is healthy enough to contribute, the Steelers have a potent 1-2 punch at tailback. Defensively, Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh: lots of blitzing, good tackling and an excellent ability to shut down the run.

WEAKNESSES

New England -- The offensive line is good but not great, although it has done a respectable job of protecting Tom Brady and has opened a lot of holes for Corey Dillon. The Patriots also don’t blow out a lot of teams in the playoffs; the 17-point victory over the Colts was an anomaly. Four of New England’s seven postseason victories under Belichick have been by three points, all coming on game-winning field goals in overtime or the last five minutes of regulation.

Pittsburgh -- More than he did all season, Roethlisberger looked like a rookie in the playoff victory over the Jets. He made questionable decisions and overthrew some open receivers. There is some question about soreness in the thumb of his throwing hand. History isn’t on the Steelers’ side; in the four AFC title games they’ve played host to in the last 11 years, they’re 1-3.

IMPACT PLAYERS

New England -- Brady, a two-time Super Bowl most valuable player, is 7-0 in playoff games as a starter. Dillon, whose first career playoff game came Sunday, was the NFL’s third-leading rusher this season. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi and safety Rodney Harrison lead a free-flowing defense that comes up with exotic new schemes for big games.

Pittsburgh -- Roethlisberger has some excellent targets, notably receivers Plaxico Burress, Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El. That trio combined for 158 catches and 12 touchdowns during the regular season. Linebacker James Farrior was a strong candidate for NFL defensive player of the year.

THE BIG MATCHUPS

New England -- A serious concern for the Patriots is keeping Farrior from making big plays. He may be the most disruptive linebacker in football, and he will get special attention from a tight end or blocking back. Another concern is defensive end Aaron Smith, considered by Belichick among the NFL’s most underrated pass rushers.

Pittsburgh -- The Patriots took the sting out of the Colts’ arsenal, shutting down the running game and making Peyton Manning’s play-action fakes harder to sell. Can the Steelers exploit New England’s injury-depleted secondary the way the league MVP couldn’t?

HOW TO ATTACK

New England -- Just don’t make a mistake; the Patriots feast on those. Whether it’s a fumble, an interception, a coverage mistake or a missed blocking assignment on a blitz, New England can turn a simple breakdown into a game-changing play. And the Patriots don’t make a lot of mistakes.

Pittsburgh -- The key for New England will be to put pressure on Roethlisberger by mixing up coverages, blitzing frequently and closing down his options. When he makes mistakes, he usually makes them early in the game.

-- Sam Farmer