This will not be an easy game nor should it be.
At this point in time, the Steelers are relatively healthy and has its identity. 9 games won in a row!
I do not think New England can stop our power running game. By running it well early, it keeps Brady off the field. Make them stop it, with, or without their deflated footballs! Then Haley needs to call play action once Beleicheat adjusts and deploys his forces closer to the line of scrimmage. I think our OL can handle their front seven.
Once we enter the 10-yard line, our smaller WR's aren't ideal options for some routes. Run it some more. Give it to Bell 3-4 times, I don't care if we have to go for it on 4th down, you are not beating the New England Patriots with field goals unless it's in the 4th quarter and we have the ball last.
On defense, Brady isn't easy to sack, but he hates pressure up the middle and isn't the hardest guy in the world to sack once a player approaches his area. So ILB blitzes with Shazier / Timmons or a DB blitz on the corner can work. Unforetneluely he's the NFL golden boy, so any hit, even one a fraction of a second late, or legal hard shot can draw a flag. As for coverage, Brady not going deep often. Play tighter coverage as New England doesn't have any burners, and he often throws the ball quickly. Watch out for Bellicheat's pick plays, and keep sending 4 or more.
Boswell is money, but this game could be close, so we need continued excellence on kick coverage and Berry needs to make sure our field position is good, with no touchbacks, and high kicks with distance.
I am reasonably optimistic regarding our chances for Victory, but all three phase of the game, Offense, Defense and Special teams need to pull their own weight. Also, timeouts need to be carefully managed, particularly late in the game as I do NOT want Brady to have the ball last with too much time for him or not enough time for us if he does score.
Prediction: Steelers 31, Patriots 24