In what could be a preview of this year's AFC Championship Game, the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) will host the New England Patriots (5-1) Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. New England is coming off its bye week, and like Pittsburgh, has won its past three games. I don't need to remind anybody about the Steelers recent matchups with the Patriots, do I? Outside of a 2008 loss, the Patriots have had their way with the six-time Super Bowl champions in recent history.
The opening line for this year's matchup was -1.5 in New England's favor. Since then it has jumped to -2.5 on 5Dimes and all the way to -3 on Bodog. Whether that change is attributable to public money flooding in on the Patriots or several sharp bettors taking huge positions is not clear, but it will be interesting to see if the line goes any further than a field goal in New England's favor. When you factor in the home field advantage Pittsburgh has, and how well they've defended their home turf at Heinz Field in the Mike Tomlin era, you'd think that the line might ultimately settle in around 3 at most come kickoff. Then again, perhaps folks are rightfully remembering the hurting Tom Brady and co. put on Dick LeBeau's defense when the Pats came to town last fall.
Will things play out any differently this time around? Steeler Nation can't wait to find out.