SUPER TEAMS, SUPER CLASH

What to expect in AFC battle for home field, inside track to big game

USA TODAY Sports NFL reporter Lorenzo Reyes has attended multiple contests in 2017 involving the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, including January's AFC Championship Game. He just both teams in Week 14 and has some observations heading into Sunday afternoon's clash at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field, a matchup likely to determine home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs:

PATRIOTS 1. Tom Brady may be affected by injury

Neither the Patriots nor Brady have said much — surprise — about a mysterious Achilles ailment that's landed the star quarterback on the injury report over the past three weeks. Brady has missed practice time and, based on Monday night’s subpar performance, it’s worth

PHILIP G. PAVELY AND JASEN VINLOVE/USA TODAY SPORTS Le'Veon Bell, top, and the Steelers face Tom Brady, above, and the Patriots on Sunday in Pittsburgh.