Stats and information for the Steelers and Patriots this Sunday

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on December 15, 2017

Fast Facts is a weekly series featuring a quick glance at the upcoming Steelers game, including odds, records, things to watch for, and how to watch/listen to the game.

Odds

The opening line from online betting sites has the Steelers as a 3-point underdog. The over/under is 53.5 points.

Team Records

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) vs. New England Patriots (10-3)

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Overall regular-season record: 114-59 (.659)/11th season
Regular-season record with Pittsburgh: 114-59 (.659)/11th season
Playoff Record/Years: 8-6 (.571)/seven years

New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick

Overall regular-season record: 247-118 (.677)/23rd season
Regular-season record with New England: 211-74 (.740)/18th season
Playoff Record/Years: 26-10 (.722)/15 years

Steelers-Patriots History

Series History: Series began in 1972
Overall Regular Season: Steelers lead,14-11
In Pittsburgh: Steelers lead, 10-7
At New England: Even, 4-4
Neutral Sites: n/a
Streak: Patriots won previous three meetings
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh
New England 27, Pittsburgh 16
Postseason Series: Patriots lead, 4-1
Last Postseason Meeting: Jan. 22, 2017 – Foxborough, Mass.
New England 36, Pittsburgh 17 AFC Championship
(preseason and postseason record not included in overall series record)

This week’s game will mark the 26th regular-season meeting between Pittsburgh and New England…the Steelers own a three-game advantage in the regular-season series against the Patriots (14-11)… Sunday’s game will be the 18th time the two teams will meet in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have won 10 of the previous 17 meetings…the two teams have met nine times in the month of December during the regular season, with the Steelers holding an 7-2 advantage in the month vs. the Patriots, including a 5-1 mark at home in December.

Gameday Information

Date: Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. ET
Site: Heinz Field (68,400) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
TV Coverage: CBS (locally KDKA-TV, channel 2)
Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play) | Tony Romo (analyst) | Tracy Wolfson (sideline)
Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)
Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) | Tunch Ilkin (analyst) | Craig Wolfley (sideline)
National Radio: ESPN Radio
Announcers: Adam Amin (play-by-play) | Bill Polian (analyst) | Sal Paolantonio (sideline)
SIRIUS: SIRIUS: 93 (NE), 82 (Pit) | XM: 380 (NE), 82 (Pit)
Referee: Tony Corrente

Game Capsule

LEADER: Steelers lead all-time series, 14-11
LAST GAME: 10/23/16: Patriots 27 at Steelers 16
STREAKS: Patriots have won past 3
LAST GAME AT SITE: 10/23/16
REMATCH of 2016 AFC CG, which NE won 36-17.
QB TOM BRADY leads NFL with 3,865 pass yards & 105.2 rating. Has 2,273 pass yards (324.7 per game) with 22 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 127.5 rating in past 7 meetings (incl. postseason). Completed 32 of 42 (76.2 pct.) for 384 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 127.5 rating in 2016 AFC CG meeting. Needs 135 pass yards for 9th career 4,000+ yard season.
RB JAMES WHITE had TD catch in Week 14. Had rec. TD in last meeting. Since 2015, has 12 TD catches, most among NFL RBs.
RB REX BURKHEAD has 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in past 3. Aims for 3rd in row on road with TD.
RB DION LEWIS had 120 scrimmage yards (69 rush, 51 rec.) in 9/10/15 meeting.
TE ROB GRONKOWSKI has 229 rec. yards (114.5 per game) & 2 TDs in his past 2. In 5 career meetings, has 496 rec. yards (99.2 per game) with 8 TDs. Aims for 4th in row vs. Pit. with TD catch. Since entering league in 2010, leads NFL with 75 TD catches.
WR CHRIS HOGAN had 9 catches for 180 yards & 2 TDs in AFC CG.
WR BRANDIN COOKS has 3,235 rec. yards since 2015, 6th most in NFL.
S DEVIN MC COURTY had sack in Week 14.
S PATRICK CHUNG aims for 4th in row at Pit. with 10+ tackles.
CB MALCOLM BUTLER had INT & 3 PD in last road meeting.
DE TREY FLOWERS has 2.5 sacks & FF in his past 2.
CB STEPHON GILMORE had INT in last game vs. Pit. (12/11/16 with Buf.).
CB ERIC ROWE had INT in AFC CG.
QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER completed career-high 44 of 66 (66.7 pct.) for 506 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 99.7 rating last week. Has 3 career 500+ pass yard games, most in NFL history. Passed for 314 yards with TD in AFC CG. Aims for 6th in row vs. NE (incl. postseason) with 300+ pass yards. In past 4 at home, has 1,380 pass yards (345 per game) with 12 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 107.6 rating.
RB LE’VEON BELL leads NFL with 1,105 rush yards &1,684 scrimmage yards. Ranks 1st among NFL RBs with 75 catches. Had 125 scrimmage yards (77 rec., 48 rush) & 3 TDs (2 rush, 1 rec.) in Week 14. Aims for 6th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards. In past 2 meetings, has 288 scrimmage yards (144 per game).
WR ANTONIO BROWN leads NFL with 99 catches & 1,509 rec. yards. Had 11 catches for 213 yards last week. Has 6 games with 10+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in 2017, tied for 2nd most in single season in NFL history. In past 4, has 39 catches (9.8 per game) for 627 rec. yards (156.8 per
game) & 6 TDs.
TE JESSE JAMES had career-high 10 catches & 97 rec. yards in Week 14.
DE CAMERON HEYWARD has 5 sacks in past 4 at home.
S SEAN DAVIS had 12 tackles & INT last week. Has INT in 2 of past 3 at home. Had sack in AFC CG.
Rookie LB T.J. WATT had sack & FF in Week 14. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 6 sacks.
DT JAVON HARGRAVE had FF last week. Had sack in AFC CG.