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Are the Steelers the team no one wants to face?



There's a label attached to the Steelers this postseason: The team no one wants to face.

Don't buy it?

Monday Morning QB thinks so.

Andy Benoit says an explosive passing game and creative defense makes Pittsburgh the most dangerous team in the AFC.

I don't think the Ravens had any problems facing the Steelers two weeks ago.

But, hey, the Ravens aren't in the playoffs, right?

The problem with the Steelers is the defense. They might be creative, as Benoit suggests, but they're also vulnerable to the big play.

The team seems to play up -- or down -- to its competition. So, again, there are no Ravens in the playoffs, so they can't be accused of playing down.

However, the Steelers have to like their chances with the Bengals on Saturday. One Vegas line on Sunday night had Pittsburgh as a small favorite.

Does that mean the Steelers could play down to Cincy? I'm sure the Steelers will be fired up. And it is the postseason. But we were saying those things last year at this time and we all knew how that went.

Then there's Ben Roethlisberger's penchant for throwing interceptions. The passing game is explosive, but it cuts both ways.

Big Ben has six picks in his last three games. He has seven picks in his last four road games.

He has to protect the ball. And the defense needs to pressure QB A.J. McCarron.

Sounds simple. Too bad playoff games usually aren't.
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