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Mehno: Steelers vs. Patriots true marquee matchup

Commentary

PITTSBURGH — This is it, the big game.

Big? Forget about that. It’s huge, gigantic, immense, enormous, possibly apocalyptic.

At least until the playoffs start.

Post-game traffic patterns could be altered if authorities decide to shut down bridges to prevent the masses from plunging into the chilly waters while shouting epithets about Mike Tomlin.

It’s the game that will go a long way toward shaping the AFC part of the postseason, this showdown between the New England Patriots and Steelers at Heinz Field.

When Bill Belichick is scowling in your town, you know it’s the big time.

The Steelers don’t beat the Patriots often, but they can today.

The formula is simple: Avoid turnovers. Don’t give Tom Brady any more opportunities than necessary.

Sustain long drives that keep Brady on the sideline. The biggest concern is probably tight end Rob Gronkowski, who returns from a one-game suspension today.

He’s a force, and a favorite Brady target. He’s also difficult to tackle. Given the way lesser players have run right through some weak tackling attempts by the Steelers, it isn’t difficult to envision Gronkowski roaring through the Steelers defense like a PennDOT truck plowing through a snow drift.

By about 7:30, we should know how this all sorts out. In the meantime, it’s OK to be tense.

After all, it’s potentially apocalyptic.

Missing person

The Steelers staged alumni weekend a few weeks ago, a chance to welcome the first members of the team’s newly-created Hall of Honor.

All living inductees were there with a couple of exceptions.

Terry Bradshaw was busy with his duties for FOX. Who knows if he would have shown up if he didn’t have that obligation.

Jack Lambert was missing, too, continuing one of the most interesting storylines from the team’s Super Bowl era.

Following retirement, Lambert moved to a rural location and served as a local game warden. Over the years he’s developed some reclusive tendencies. He once had a higher profile, playing with a celebrity hockey team that made regular appearances in the region.

Not now. When Chuck Noll died in 2014, Lambert made arrangements to visit the funeral home outside of the open hours. He got a private audience with Noll’s family.

He has no-showed most reunions. Spies report he’s told the Steelers he wants to be paid for any appearances.

Which way

Published reports say Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is undecided about his team’s chances of being a playoff contender in 2018.

That can’t be a good sign.

The Pirates got through MLB’s winter meetings without doing anything major. They addressed the fringes of the roster by acquiring borderline pitchers and a utility infielder.

Are the Pirates good enough, as currently constructed, to compete in a division with the Cubs and Cardinals? Probably not, and that’s why Huntington has doubts.

They need a third baseman. A legitimate spare outfielder would be helpful. What team couldn’t use more pitching?

The Pirates are locked into contracts with players who were unproductive last season (Francisco Cervelli, Gregory Polanco). They have players who are approaching free agency (Andrew McCutchen after this season, Gerrit Cole and Jordy Mercer after 2019).

They’re stuck in the middle in a variety of areas, including what their GM thinks his approach needs to be.

Happy birthday

Jim Leyland turned 73 on Friday.

It’s taken 20 years, but he finally looks his age.

Mehno can be reached at johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com

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