The New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) head to the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Tom Brady (12) warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Fans hold large photos of New England Patriots Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, top, and Julian Edelman, Malcolm Butler, Tom Brady, and Devin McCourty, bottom before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft greets players before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks around during warm-up's before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, right, watch from the sideline during warm-up's before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets team owner Robert Kraft before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets team owner Robert Kraft before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The End Zone Militia watch fireworks before the AFC championship NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Fireworks soar over the American flag on the field before the AFC championship NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with running back Dion Lewis (33), wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) and fullback James Develin (46) before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) after a reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center rear, throws a pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan celebrates his pass reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) makes a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) after a touchdown pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) looks back as he runs to the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix (45) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets up after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerbacks Ross Cockrell (31) and William Gay (22) after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount celebrates after a touchdown run during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates a touchdown with the End Zone Militia during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after a play during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman runs after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, speaks to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at midfield after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, left, celebrates with quarterback Tom Brady after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 in the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger speak at midfield after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch, left, celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with tight end Rob Gronkowski after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, left, celebrates with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft passes the AFC Championship trophy to players after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount holds the AFC championship trophy surrounded by fans after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, passes the AFC Championship trophy to quarterback Tom Brady after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. At left is team owner Robert Kraft. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates with cheerleaders after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates with cheerleaders after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount holds the AFC championship trophy surrounded by fans after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, holds the AFC championship trophy beside team owner Robert Kraft, left, honorary captain Tedy Bruschi, second from left, and head coach Bill Belichick after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Tom Brady, quarterback de los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra, sostiene el trofeo de campeón de la Conferencia Americana, junto con el entrenador Bill Belichick, luego de vencer a los Steelers de Pittsburgh el domingo 22 de enero de 2017 (AP Foto/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks during a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks during a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Bill Belichick and the Patriots advanced to an NFL-record ninth title game, punching their ticket to Houston for Super Bowl LI with the 36-17 victory over the Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
Buy
Tom Brady –Coming off a shaky performance with a 68.6 rating in the win over Houston, the theory was that Brady wouldn't have two bad games in a row. The theory was dead on. Brady came out firing and completing throw against Pittsburgh like he's done so many times in the past. Brady completed 32 of 42 passes for a New England franchise record 384 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 127.5 rating. It was vintage Brady, his third career AFC title win over Pittsburgh. In his last seven games against the Steelers Brady has 22 touchdowns and no interceptions. Wow. He's on his way to a record seventh Super Bowl.
Chris Hogan – A week after limping off with a thigh injury while catching four passes for 95 yards against Houston, Hogan was back to business against Pittsburgh. The first-year Patriot was wide open for his first career playoff score, a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter. In the second quarter he had a key 22-yard sideline grab, again wide open, on third down to keep a drive rolling that would end seconds later with his 34-yard touchdown on a flea-flicker. It was Hogan's first career multi-touchdown game with his first career postseason touchdowns. He finished the win with a Patriots franchise-record 180 yards on eight catches. Hogan kicked butt, showing limited limitations from his thigh injury.
Julian Edelman –Edelman has been the key cog in the passing attack for weeks and continued to be just that against the Steelers. The tough slot machine had a nice 41-yard catch-and-run early on the second play of the night. He added a touchdown from 10 yards out in the third quarter. Edelman finished with eight catches for 118 yards, an impressive 14.8-yard average.
Goal-line defense – New England's defense got the job done for the most part on the way to victory. It was especially impressive on goal line stands. A review voided a Pittsburgh touchdown late in the second quarter and New England stopped the Steelers three times from the 1 to force a field goal to keep the score at 17-9 at halftime. The unit then closed the door on any comeback hopes with four stops from inside the 6 in the fourth quarter to keep the lead at 33-9. The New England defense proved its worth yet again this season.
Sell
Logan Ryan/Eric Rowe –* *Ryan wasn't bad on the whole, but did struggle a bit with Eli Rogers crossing the field in the first half. Rowe was the bigger issue, allowing both Sammie Coates and Cobi Hamilton to get behind him in the end zone, though both dropped would-be touchdowns. On a night when the bulk of the defense did the job against a talented offense, the pass coverage had a few holes. Even with Rowe stealing a late in interception on a deep ball it was a tough night for one of the team's top-three cornerbacks.
Running game –Aside from one 18-yard run by LeGarrette Blount to set up his own 1-yard score, New England's rushing attack did virtually nothing against Pittsburgh. While it wasn't really needed given the huge production in the passing game, the Patriots ran it 27 times for just 57 yards (2.1 avg.) and the one score. Dion Lewis (six carries for just 11 yards) has now been held well below 4 yards per carry in two postseason games, losing some of the momentum he'd picked up down the stretch in the regular season.
Hold
Malcolm Mitchell –The good news is that the rookie receiver returned after missing a couple weeks to a knee injury. The bad news is that a Brady throw deflected off Mitchell's hands in the red zone on the opening drive, nearly resulting in an interception and forcing an early field goal. Mitchel had another sideline throw that he probably should have been able to get his feet in bounds but did not. He finished just one catch for 5 yards on his return, replacing Michael Floyd on the 46-man roster a week after the veteran had a similar deflected pass lead to an interception against the Texans.
Joe Thuney –The rookie guard was tossed to the side with scary ease early on by rookie Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for a sack of Brady. Things improved from there, though Thuney and the rest of the line were never able to open up much room for the running backs to run. Really, though, the pure optics of Thuney getting rag-dolled by Hargrave earns him a spot here.
Malcolm Butler – It wasn't perfect and wasn't true man coverage all night, but Butler was part of an at times zone-heavy scheme that kept Antonio Brown from finding much room to work. Still, Butler was the primary defender on Brown, who had seven catches for just 77 yards, with no play longer than 18 yards. Butler was part of a secondary that held each of the Steelers top four pass catchers to 11 yards per reception or less.
Stephen Gostkowski – It was headed for a perfect night for the kicker until he missed a PAT wide right in the third quarter. Still, Gostkowski nailed his three field goals (31, 47, 26) and three PATs. He also did a solid job on kickoffs – both short and into the end zone for touchbacks.
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