(Sports Network) - In a game that figures to have a significant impact on the AFC landscape going forward, the New England Patriots pay a visit to Heinz Field this Sunday to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for a clash between two of the conference's current front-runners.
Patriots Vs. Steelers: Two AFC Powers Fight To Stay Atop Conference
Both teams enter this primetime showdown sporting identical 6-2 records that put them at the top of the AFC pack along with the Patriots' fellow tenants in the East Division, the New York Jets. The Steelers will be taking the field with a slim half-game edge on rival Baltimore for first place in the North, with the Ravens losing their Week 10 matchup at Atlanta on Thursday.
New England also comes in with the goal of atoning for its worst showing of this 2010 campaign, having been dealt a startling 34-14 road loss to improving Cleveland last Sunday. The Patriots were outgained by a 404-283 margin by the determined Browns, who piled up 230 rushing yards on the afternoon, and matched a season high by committing three turnovers in having a five-game winning streak stopped.
The high-scoring Patriots’ sluggish offensive performance last week continued a troubling trend for the perennial playoff participants, who’ve averaged just 254.5 total yards in splitting their four road games so far this season. That modest output is a concern on Sunday, with the Steelers having fielded one of the league’s stingiest defenses over the course of the first half of this 2010 campaign.
Pittsburgh hasn't been without its issues on that side of the ball, however. While the Steelers are yielding a league-low 15.4 points per contest and have routinely smothered the opposition's running game, teams have found success moving the football through the air as of late. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees shredded the Black and Gold for 305 yards and two touchdowns on a pinpoint 34-of-44 passing in a 20-10 victory two weeks back, while Cincinnati's Carson Palmer put up big numbers in the second half in nearly leading the Bengals back from a 20-point deficit this past Monday.
Cincinnati scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull within 27-21 and moved within range of another score in the game’s final minute, but the Steelers came up with a critical stop on fourth down to leave Paul Brown Stadium with a hard-fought win.
Pittsburgh did not exit unscathed, however, as two members of the offensive line suffered injuries that will likely keep them out of Sunday's tilt. Left tackle Max Starks was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday due to a neck problem that will require surgery, while left guard Chris Kemoeatu is doubtful to suit up because of a sprained right knee.
The banged-up Steelers now return home off a short week to battle a New England team with a remarkable history of bouncing back after a loss. The Patriots have dropped consecutive games only twice over the past seven seasons, amassing a stellar 23-2 record in games that have followed a defeat during that span.
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