American football: Patriots rely on defence in Super Bowl bid

NEW YORK - Defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots hope to ride their bruising defence to another title game when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship in snowy Pittsburgh today.

The Patriots snuffed out record-breaking quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts last weekend and have similar plans for the Steelers, who stung New England with a 34-20 regular-season victory in October that ended a 21-game winning streak for the Patriots.

"They totally dominated that game in every phase of the game," New England coach Bill Belichick said this week.

"Hopefully we can play a more competitive game and at least get the game on some kind of competitive terms and not be behind by three touchdowns the whole game like we were the last time we played them."

The Patriots enter Sunday's game with a 15-2 record while the Steelers, behind rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a tough ground game, are 16-1.

The winner will play either the Atlanta Falcons or the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, on February 6.

Philadelphia have lost three consecutive NFC title games, while Atlanta are hoping mobile quarterback Michael Vick can lead them to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1999.

Roethlisberger drove Pittsburgh to four scores following New England turnovers in the Steelers' October victory over the Patriots, who were playing without injured running back Corey Dillon.

"He has had a spectacular year," Belichick said of Roethlisberger, who has won 14 consecutive games as the Steelers' starter. A sore thumb could affect his throwing today, though.

But if New England are to return to the Super Bowl, Belichick knows his prized defence must stop Pittsburgh running backs Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley.

"They are the best rushing team in the AFC," Belichick said. "It doesn't really make any difference who is carrying (the ball)."

New England will counter with the explosive Dillon on the ground and quarterback Tom Brady, who is 7-0 as a starter in playoff games.

- REUTERS