5 AFC Championship X-Factors for the Steelers and Patriots

1. The Pittsburgh Pass Rush

Perhaps the biggest reason the Steelers have been able to win nine straight games as they enter the AFC Championship? Their pass rush.

When the Steelers were 4-5 after losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Cowboys in Week 10, they ranked 31st in the league in sack rate, tackling opposing quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage on just 3.71% of their drop backs. Since, that number has risen to 8.76%, which is the second-best rate in the NFL over the second half of the season.

This isn't some crazy coincidence -- this was planned. Per Pro Football Focus' Pat Thorman, Pittsburgh upped their rate of blitzing from 26% before their Week 8 bye to 43% after it.

Here's the problem: Tom Brady is no slouch when the blitz is coming.

Thorman also noted that, this season, Brady's completion percentage, yards per attempt average, and passer rating were all higher -- sometimes significantly -- when he faced the blitz.

The other problem: When Brady doesn't see pressure, he dominates. He threw 21 touchdowns without a pick when pressure wasn't felt this season to go along with a 123.02 quarterback rating.

So what does this all mean? The Steelers need to generate pressure, as they've been able to do over the last nine weeks, but not necessarily through the blitz. The play of the guys on the defensive line will be huge.