5 teams that will threaten the New England Patriots in AFC

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks to the media after losing 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are no strangers to competing with the Patriots for the AFC crown. Big Ben’s offense may not be quite as consistent as Tom Brady’s, but it still gives the Steelers a chance to topple the Patriots.

Pittsburgh’s offense is capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Le’Veon Bell may have contract issues with the team, but it hasn’t hampered his on-field production in the slightest. He racked up almost 2,000 yards from scrimmage last season. There isn’t a defense in the NFL that can really control his ability to run and catch the ball out of the backfield.

If a defense loads up the box to stop Bell running the ball, Roethlisberger is happy to throw the ball to Antonio Brown. He led Pittsburgh with 101 catches for just over 1,500 yards. He’s one of NFL’s most dangerous receivers down the field.

Mike Tomlin’s team also has a better than advertised defense. They will miss Ryan Shazier at linebacker but the signing of Morgan Burnett should really help solidify their secondary. The defense isn’t good enough to shut New England down, but they are capable of forcing enough stops to let their offense win the game for them.

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