Thursday, January 16, 2025, 11:29AM |  17°
MENU
Advertisement
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger meet again Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.
1
MORE

Legacies on the line for Steelers, Patriots in AFC championship

Associated Press

Legacies on the line for Steelers, Patriots in AFC championship

It does not get much bigger than this, two of the premier franchises in sports clashing for the right to play in the Super Bowl.

The Steelers and New England Patriots have won 10 Super Bowl titles between them — one-fifth of the 50 that were played — six of the 16 in this century alone. They have family ownerships that are widely respected, two of the largest fan bases in the game and two of the best quarterbacks in the league.

One of them gets the chance to continue that success, to enhance its legacy, to become the first franchise to play in nine Super Bowls, to make even more history. The other swallows the big, fat, bitter pill and goes home to be forgotten.

Advertisement

“As you get older and understand this league and how difficult it is, how good teams are, how bad teams could be good the next year, and vice versa, you definitely appreciate the difficulty in playing this game, playing it for a long time and getting the opportunities to make the playoffs,’’ Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday.

Steelers cornerback Ross Cockrell, left, says it's hard to remember the team's last loss.
Sean Gentille
Ross Cockrell channels Bill Belichick, explains Steelers' growth on defense

 

“Look at teams that haven’t made the playoffs in how many years. I am just so thankful and blessed to be a part of this organization, that has been able to make it to the playoffs, win Super Bowls. I just try to reiterate to the young guys now, just how precious this moment is.”

It is a moment that can be fleeting for the loser. No one remembers the championshiplosers, otherwise the Steelers of 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2004 would go down in lore, rather than disappointment.

Advertisement

“It’s the championship game,’’ Roethlisberger said, in case anyone wasn’t paying attention. “You have one game to get to the Super Bowl. You are going up to the lion’s den, the dragon’s lair. They are the dragon. We are trying to slay them.”

What better matchup could there be in this AFC championship? Nothing even close. Miami? Baltimore? Cincinnati? Kansas City? Nothing compares to Steelers-Patriots. Only Dallas, Green Bay and San Francisco of the NFC could challenge these two for their past successes combined with their popularity.

“Obviously, we have a lot of respect for New England, they’ve been doing it at a very high level for a very long time,’’ safety Mike Mitchell said. “It’s going to be two great franchises meeting on Sunday. This is why you play.”

With two Super Bowl victories since the 2005 season, the Steelers are the only AFC team with more Lombardi Trophies than New England since that time. The Patriots, though, are the dominant team of this century with four Lombardi Trophies and six trips to the Super Bowl since their first in the 2001 season.

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown pulls in a pass in front of Patriots defensive back Malcolm Butler Oct. 23 at Heinz Field.
Ray Fittipaldo
Antonio Brown has 'a lot of respect' for Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler

“They are the best in the world,” Roethlisberger proclaimed. “They are the gold standard, if you will. So you want to have that opportunity to go up to play the best. It will be an awesome challenge for us.”

It is their first postseason meeting since New England won the AFC title in Heinz Field in the 2004 season, repeating a performance from three years earlier. They went on to win Super Bowls both times.

The Steelers have not had much success in the playoffs against New England. They are 1-3. This will be only the second time they’ve played the Patriots on the road in the postseason, having lost in 1996 at the old stadium in Foxborough.

It is for these kinds of opportunities that safety Mike Mitchell said he signed with the Steelers as a free agent from Carolina in 2014.

“When I was a free agent, the reason that I came to Pittsburgh is because Pittsburgh had six Super Bowls,’’ Mitchell said. “So that is why I wanted to come here and play for this franchise. I know New England is somewhere near the top, but in my mind Pittsburgh was the cream of the crop and I wanted to come here.”

 

Roethlisberger, in his 13th NFL season, will play in his sixth AFC championship. Pittsburgh native Dan Marino played in three, lost two and never won a Super Bowl.

“You never know if this opportunity will present itself again,’’ Roethlisberger said. “You might as well enjoy it and relish every moment. I’ve been telling these young guys … You don’t know if we will be able to do this again. So enjoy it. Enjoy every moment of it. It truly is a blessing to be able to do what we do.”

Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com and Twitter @EdBouchette.

First Published: January 19, 2017, 5:00 a.m.

RELATED
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reacts after losing to the Cowboys at Heinz Field on Nov. 13.
Ed Bouchette
Explaining the Steelers' turnaround
Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell and his offensive line will battle one of the league's best rushing defenses when the play New England for the AFC championship Sunday.
Ray Fittipaldo
Toughest test ahead for Le'Veon Bell in New England
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown apologized to his teammates and coach Mike Tomlin.
Sean Gentille
Antonio Brown makes us wait, then delivers a solid apology for Facebook mess
Ben Roethlisberger says he still lags behind Tom Brady.
Sean Gentille
Ben Roethlisberger says he is not in Tom Brady's class
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown acknowledges fans as he warms up at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday before his team's win against the Chiefs.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Antonio Brown apologizes for letting his 'emotions and genuine excitement get the best of me'
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.
Gerry Dulac
Gerry Dulac's Playoff Picks: Championship round
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 1.18.17
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with his predecessor, Bill Cowher, during a practice at the team's South Side facility in 2010.
Elizabeth Bloom
Bill Cowher: Antonio Brown's video was 'disrespectful;' Spygate had 'nothing to do' with Steelers losses
Mike Tomlin says Antonio Brown will be punished.
Gerry Dulac
Mike Tomlin: Antonio Brown was 'selfish' and 'inconsiderate,' will be punished
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Ice on the Allegheny River Downtown on Tuesday, Jan.14, 2025.
1
news
Pittsburgh under winter weather advisory for up to 3 inches of snow as Arctic blast looms
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
2
sports
Steelers officially in the market, but QB names don't exactly jump off the page
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on before a game against the Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
3
sports
Brian Batko’s Steelers mailbag: With Mike Tomlin staying, what should the front office do now?
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II walks on the field at Acrisure Stadium before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
4
sports
Joe Starkey: Steelers president Art Rooney II needs to step in and order a George Pickens trade
A deal to reopen bankrupt Sharon Regional Medical Center in Mercer County unraveled Wednesday after a local nonprofit refused to waive a $25 million claim against the owners of the hospital buildings and other real estate.
5
business
Sale of Sharon Regional Medical Center collapses
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger meet again Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.  (Associated Press)
Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story