5 AFC Championship X-Factors for the Steelers and Patriots

2. Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman is one of the key cogs in the New England offense, especially without Rob Gronkowski in the mix. With Gronk in the lineup this year, Edelman averaged 8.00 targets per game. Without Gronk, that number's 11.88.

Edelman's target market share has been pretty remarkable over New England's last five games, too, never falling below 30%. Doing that across an entire season would've given Edelman the highest target market share in football.

He's going to be fed, and that could spell trouble for Pittsburgh. This year, three of the top-four games they allowed by receptions to wide receivers included slots guys Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham (who frequented the slot more down the stretch), and Edelman himself. A little further down the list includes Tyler Boyd's biggest day of his rookie season in Week 2, and a six-catch performance from Jamison Crowder.

A big game from Edelman is probably coming against the inexperienced Pittsburgh secondary.