Photo courtesy of Jared Wickerham/AP

The Patriots and Steelers will be facing off for a second time this season. The Patriots won the first match up in Week 7, 27-16. Pittsburgh was without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger so needless to say, this should be a different game. Pittsburgh’s defense has vastly improved since that first match-up as well and they could pose problems for the Patriots come Sunday.

Here are five key match-ups to watch.

Patriots Running Game vs. Pittsburgh’s Front Seven: LeGarrette Blount rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown in the week 8 match up. Blount wasn’t much of a factor in last week’s game but he will be a big part of the game plan this week. The Patriots are going to commit to running the football in an effort to be more balanced but to also slow down the Steelers pass rush.

Pittsburgh must do a better job of gap controlling the Patriots offensive line. They cannot get gashed the way they did in the first meeting this season.

Malcolm Butler vs. Antonio Brown: Butler has had success against Brown in the past so look for the Patriots to match him up on Brown for most of the game. The Patriots will have a great deal of scheme flexibility as long as they Butler can cover Brown vertically and not get beat.

The Steelers have to use their staple compressed formations as well as move Brown around in motion. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has to find different ways to free up Brown and get him open.

LeVeon Bell vs. The Patriots Front Seven: LeVeon Bell has been impressive in these playoffs thus far. He has rushed for over a hundred yards in both of the Steelers playoff games thanks to a patient approach at the line of scrimmage. Bell does a great job studder stepping, finding the cut and hitting the open hole.

The Patriots must gap control the line of scrimmage and not allow Bell to set up his runs. They must force him to hit the hole as soon as he gets the ball. If he sees a lane, he’ll cut it back. 

Tom Brady vs. Ben Roethlisberger: Sunday features two marquee quarterback match ups and while the Rodgers, Ryan match up is dominating all of the headlines, Brady Roethlisberger should be a quality quarterback match up as well.

Brady has owned Roethlisberger head to head but I expect Big Ben to play well in what should be a tight game. Roethlisberger is going to have to be nearly perfect to beat Brady and the Patriots. 

Patriots Offensive Tackles vs. Steelers Outside Linebackers: The Steelers have played well defensively during their nine game winning streak. A big reason for the Steelers success has been the play of their young secondary. Rookies Artie Burns and Sean Davis are playing great on the back end. 

The Steelers defense however goes as their outside linebackers go. If 38 year old James Harrison and Bud Dupree can get consistent pressure on Tom Brady and hit him and harass him, the Steelers defense will get the Patriots offense out of sync. 

For the Patriots, offensive tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon must hold up one on one. If they can block Harrison and Dupree without help and give Brady time, the Patriots should be in good shape offensively.