Can the Steelers win in New England today?
Of course they can.
Will they?
Probably not likely.
This evening's game is something of a Super Bowl unto itself, a clash of powers worthy of its own spotlight without those NFC infidels serving as the opening act.
The Patriots are favored, and they should be. They're playing at home, and they just had a regular season that was free of the fluctuations that the Steelers had.
There are some things that have to happen for the Steelers to advance to their ninth Super Bowl:
--Be big, Ben. Roethlisberger's last couple of games have been so-so. He can't play at that level against the Patriots. He needs to make some big plays and make sure that Chris Boswell kicks six PATs instead of six field goals. Interceptions are forbidden in a game that could be decided by turnovers.
--Create space. Le'Veon Bell has to gain yards for two reasons -- to move the Steelers down the field, and to keep Tom Brady and the Patriots offense on the sideline. Teams haven't been able to control Bell so far in the postseason. But the wily coach in the hoodie is a defensive expert and will undoubtedly have some ideas.
--Get after Brady. The Steelers' defensive players have to hate Tom Brady as much as Steelers fans do. They need to pressure Brady and take away his ability to make plays. Give him time, and there will be trouble. He's still a great quarterback, but not when he's on the run.
James Harrison has been money in the last couple of months, but there are rumors his triceps injury is serious. That could put the onus on the other linebackers to chase Brady. If Brady has time to find receivers, the Steelers' inexperienced secondary could be in trouble.
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--THE OTHER GAME
Green Bay is on a roll, but it says here Atlanta's passing attack will overwhelm the Packers' wounded secondary.
But who knows?
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--NO SHAME
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed three new members last week -- Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell and Ivan Rodriguez.
They all have stats worthy of the Hall. Bagwell hadn't been getting support because some voters suspected him of using steroids to boost his impressive power totals. Rodriguez, on the ballot for the first time, was also suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs in a career that allowed him to still catch 110 games at age 38.
The Hall voting body has changed significantly over the past few years, and it appears the revamped group doesn't view steroid use as an impediment to gaining entrance.
The vote totals for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have been increasing, too. It's not inconceivable they could get elected.
Some voters say it's not for them to decide who cheated and, hey, it's always nice and warm when your head is in the sand.
Then again, why not throw the doors wide open? The biggest steroid advocate of all, Bud Selig, will be enshrined this July.
Selig was commissioner when baseball rekindled fan interest with the 1998 Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run race. He had to know it was artificially influenced, but he chose to focus on the ticket sales and TV ratings. Those made money for MLB. Lots and lots of money.
So if the enabler of the steroids era is Hall-worthy, why not the participants?
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--TIMING ISSUE
Let's see, with a 6:40 scheduled kickoff, that means Antonio Brown's postgame broadcast from the locker room should be on around 10 o'clock?
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