Steelers ready to take on Pats

Pittsburgh looks to seize TOP PLAYOFF SEED

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin is ready to talk about the New England Patriots.

The fact the Pittsburgh Steelers coach can include cornerback Joe Haden in the discussion is a bonus.

Haden will attempt to practice for the AFC North champions this week, barely a month removed from a fractured left leg that appeared to put his season in jeopardy.

While Tomlin will wait to make a decision on whether Haden will be available on Sunday when the Steelers (11-2) host the Patriots (103), the fact it’s even up for debate is promising.

The Steelers signed Haden on the eve of the regular season precisely for this situation. Tom Brady dominated Pitts- burgh’s secondary in the AFC championship game 11 months ago, picking apart the Steelers’ zone defense while throwing for 384 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-17 romp that wasn’t even that close.

Tomlin and defensive coordinator Keith Butler made playing more man-to-man coverage a point of emphasis during the offseason and the Steelers had the second-ranked pass defense in the NFL before Haden left during the first half of a victory over the Colts on Nov. 11.

The results during Haden’s absence have been uneven at best, though it hasn’t stopped Pittsburgh from taking an eight-game winning streak into perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the regular season.