NFL

5 AFC Championship X-Factors for the Steelers and Patriots

JJ Zachariason  —  @LateRoundQB Jan 20th, 2017
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5. Malcolm Butler

In two games against the Steelers, Malcolm Butler has been mostly assigned to star wideout Antonio Brown. In those two games, Brown has 230 yards on 15 catches.

Now, it's probably not worthwhile to put a ton of stock in Brown's lines there, as the Steelers lost both games and he benefited a bit from a negative game script.

The bigger picture here is that, if the Patriots allow Butler to shadow Brown again on Sunday, that matchup will be big -- the Steelers lack talent and depth at the pass-catcher positions, as evidenced by the fact that, during the team's winning streak, no Pittsburgh pass-catcher has even half the expected points Antonio Brown has accumulated.

If Butler can shut down Antonio Brown, it'll be a long day for Pittsburgh.

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