Why this battle with New England is so vital to Steeler legacy



… time to show their colors 

Any time the Steelers meet the Patriots, a great deal seems to be on the line, especially if the game is in the postseason.

However, none is quite as important as the AFC title game in Foxboro next Sunday.

Why?

So much of the Steeler legacy is on the line. For instance, right now, Bill Bellichick is tied with Chuck Noll for Super Bowl victories with four. Bellichick is a good coach, but he is also ethically-challenged, unlike Noll. Noll did everything by the book, fair and square, while Bellichick always pushed the envelope to the extreme. He will do anything to win, including deflating footballs, which he did for almost a decade.

If the Patriots win and advance to the Super Bowl, they will likely defeat either NFC opponent since that conference is not very strong this year. That is why a Steeler win is so important.

Second, Tom Brady would move ahead of Terry Bradshaw in Super Bowl victories. Now, I know that some Steeler fans are mad at Terry, but he was our Super Bowl QB four times, MVP twice, leading them to four victories in six years. We have to root for Terry.

Vital for Tomlin, 2016 team

However, more is on the line for the current players and coach. For instance, Bradshaw started a debate about how good a coach Mike Tomlin is. Tomlin can cement his claim to be a great coach if he can beat Bellichick and then win the Super Bowl.

Then there is the question of how good Ben Roethlisberger is especially when compared to Tom Brady.

Brady has lost to the Steelers just twice in his career, only once to Roethlisberger. If #7 truly belongs in the hall of fame, he can prove it by defeating Brady. [Neither QB looked particularly impressive in the semis, though the Pats did score some TDs instead of six field goals.]

Then there is the question of whether the Steelers are in the AFC game only because they played a weak schedule this year. They have to prove that they belong there. It is a matter of pride.

Steelers still the best

The Steelers are still considered the greatest Super Bowl team with six wins, but the Pats now have four with five on the line if they advance this year.

Currently, the Cowboys and 49ers are just one victory behind with five, so a seventh would be a huge step in cementing that Steeler legacy.

It is all on you, Mike and Ben. Time to prove your worth to the NFL world.

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