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Compared with the miraculous throw that Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers made to set up a game-winning field goal against Dallas, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's final completion in a victory at Kansas City was routine.

Yet his 7-yard pass to Antonio Brown on a third-and-3 play last weekend was just as critical, enabling the Steelers to run out the clock. That's what Roethlisberger has done regularly in key moments in the second half of the season. In advance of the AFC championship game at New England, a closer look at the Steelers:

Team's theme

The Steelers resemble the other three remaining Super Bowl contenders, strong finishers this season with a great quarterback and unafraid to go on the road in the playoffs.

How they got here

Pittsburgh won its last seven games of the regular season to finish 11-5, winning the AFC North title and earning a No. 3 playoff seed. The Steelers beat Miami 30-12 in a wild-card game and edged Kansas City 18-16 in the divisional round.

Super Bowl-bound if

The NFL's No. 7-ranked offense can produce touchdowns, as opposed to the six field goals that stemmed from a 389-yard offensive effort at Kansas City. The Steelers scored only 16 points in an October loss to New England, but that was with Landry Jones playing in place of Roethlisberger.

Homeward-bound if

The Steelers' No. 12-ranked defense allows 27 points to the Patriots, as happened in October. Tom Brady was highly efficient that day and LeGarrette Blount rushed for 127 yards. It helps Pittsburgh's cause that New England tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had a big day in October, is injured.

Biggest variable

Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell's success vs. New England's defense. Bell rushed for 171 yards vs. Kansas City, but the Patriots have a knack for taking away a primary weapon. New England held him to 81 yards in October.

Best player

Antonio Brown, receiver. He made news this week for filming and sharing coach Mike Tomlin's postgame speech via social media, but Brown is an All-Pro receiver with four straight seasons of 100-plus catches.

Best players you've never heard of

Offensive linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey. They're Pro Bowl selections, anchoring a line that allowed Roethlisberger to be sacked only once in Kansas City.

Local connections

The Steelers have no players or coaches with Utah ties, in contrast to six years ago when BYU alumni Brett Keisel and Chris Hoke and Utah products Chris Kemoeatu and Stevenson Sylvester accompanied them to the Super Bowl.

Reasons to cheer for them

The Steelers are known as a stable franchise, with only three head coaches since 1969. Coach Mike Tomlin is a steadying presence, even if former Pittsburgh star Terry Bradshaw dismissed him as "a cheerleader guy." (Bradshaw since has tried to clarify that comment). And for fans weary of New England's dynasty, the Steelers provide an AFC alternative.

Reasons to cheer against them

Sports Illustrated's recent cover story labeled Roethlisberger "the NFL's most polarizing player," citing sexual assault allegations from earlier this decade. He responded by accusing the magazine of conducting a "witch hunt."

kkragthorpe@sltrib.com

Twitter: @tribkurt