Maine Sunday Telegram editors and reporters predict the outcome of the AFC championship game:
Don Coulter, sports editor
Patriots 37, Steelers 22: Miffed that Roger Goodell won’t show his face at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots take out their wrath on the Steelers early and often. Mike Tomlin files a protest afterward, upset that the Pats had an extra day to prepare.
Steve Craig, sports writer
Patriots 28, Steelers 20: New England’s offensive line keeps James “Methuselah” Harrison off Tom Brady’s back. TD Tommy throws four touchdown passes and the oft-maddening Pats’ defense forces the Steelers to settle twice for field goals.
Deirdre Fleming, outdoors writer
Steelers 24, Patriots 22: The Steelers’ defense has allowed the fewest yards (266) per game in the postseason, forcing five turnovers and recording six sacks in two playoff games. Bet on a few more as Pittsburgh extends its nine-game winning streak.
Steve Greenlee, managing editor
Patriots 31, Steelers 13: The Pats double-team Antonio “Livestream” Brown for 17 straight minutes. Roethlisberger throws three picks and heads to the locker room early in the fourth quarter with a badly bruised ego.
Glenn Jordan, sports writer
Patriots 34, Steelers 31: The Patriots lack a pass rush so Big Ben is going to connect often. And Le’Veon Bell is a beast. However, if the Pats offensive line holds up, nobody is going to contain Brady and the full package of receivers he has now, along with Dion Lewis and James White out of the backfield.
Mike Lowe, sports writer
Patriots 31, Steelers 28: Truly tempted to go the other way with this one, it’s that close. But I’ll take Tom Brady throwing against two rookies in the secondary any day. This one could be memorable.
Kevin Thomas, sports writer
Patriots 23, Steelers 16: Tom Brady will be pressured often but still outplays Ben Roethlisberger. Patriots’ defense sends New England to the Super Bowl, giving Boston sports fans a distraction until Red Sox pitchers and catchers report.
Taylor Vortherms, sports writer
Patriots 33, Steelers 27: It’s hard to bet against Brady and Belichick. Ben Roethlisberger gives the Steelers a chance, but Le’Veon Bell will have a hard time breaking the Patriots’ run defense. The Pats will move on to Houston, if they take care of the ball.
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