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Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is stopped by a small army of Patriots defenders during an Oct. 23, 2016, game at at Heinz Field.
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Gerry Dulac's Playoff Picks: Championship round

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Gerry Dulac's Playoff Picks: Championship round

Last week: 4-0 (1.000)
Season record: 175-89 (.663)


NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5), 3:05 p.m. — The Steelers are the only team with a longer active winning streak than the Packers, who have won eight in a row and are coming off a victory against the No. 1 seed Cowboys in Dallas. In those eight victories, Aaron Rodgers has thrown 21 touchdowns, one interception and has a passer rating of 117.9. The Falcons, who led the NFL in total points (540), are coming off an impressive home victory, 36-20 against the Seahawks. What’s more, they beat the Packers earlier this season, 33-32. They will need those points — and maybe more — if they want to beat the Packers again.

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Prediction: Packers, 34-30

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger meet again Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.
Ed Bouchette
Legacies on the line for Steelers, Patriots in AFC championship

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Steelers (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-2), 6:40 p.m. — Everyone knows the storyline by now: The Steelers have never beaten Tom Brady in New England and are 0-2 against the Patriots in AFC championships. New England has the best record in the league and its rush defense, which ranked tied for third during the regular season, might be more equipped than the Dolphins or Chiefs to handle Le’Veon Bell, who has 337 yards rushing in two postseason games. But Mike Tomlin has never lost an AFC championship (2-0), and the Steelers have won a league-best nine games in a row. We saw this same type of surge in 2005 when the Steelers beat the Colts and Denver on the road to go to the Super Bowl. This is no different.

Prediction: Steelers, 27-24

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First Published: January 18, 2017, 6:04 p.m.

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