Five matchups that will define NFL Week 13: Can Giants slow Big Ben, Steelers?

After Antonio Brown received yet another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the Pittsburgh Steelers' Thanksgiving dismantling of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said the wide receiver needed to rein in his touchdown celebrations.

Yet for Pittsburgh, reveling in the reason for those celebrations is a welcome development after a four-game losing streak threatened the season.

Viewed as a potential preseason conference favorite, the Steelers stand at 6-5, putting them a game back for the AFC North lead as well as the final wild-card berth. But the franchise had the same mark and a similarly uncertain outlook last season before reeling off four wins in five games to seal a spot in the playoffs.

To begin a similar push on Sunday, the Steelers likely will lean on Roethlisberger again to push the offense past the New York Giants.

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An offseason overhaul has yielded immediate results for New York, which is tied for sixth in scoring defense (19.4 points per game) after ranking 30th in 2016. But the Giants have feasted on sub-par offenses during their six-game win streak, making Sunday's showdown something of a proving ground.

One of the key battles could be up front, as the Steelers have allowed just 14 sacks this season. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has revitalized New York's pass rush with 5 1/2 sacks in his past two games, and his showdown with right tackle Marcus Gilbert could set the tone for the day.

The task of containing Brown likely falls on cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who has fared well against top receivers but employs a gambling style that could yield a game-breaking play in either direction. The Giants' massive defensive tackle tandem of Damon Harrison and Johnathan Hankins have helped form the league's fifth-ranked run defense, but running back Le'Veon Bell remains a substantial threat in the passing game for a linebacking corps that has struggled in coverage.

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Here are four other matchups that will define Week 13 in the NFL:

Falcons RT Ryan Schraeder vs. Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali

The marquee matchup in this game might be Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones' showdown with Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, but Matt Ryan has shown a willingness to look beyond his top option. Kansas City's best option for short-circuiting the league's highest-scoring offense likely runs through its pass rush.

Schraeder has held strong this season against some of the league's best threats off the edge while remaining a stalwart in the run game. Establishing offensive balance with running back Devonta Freeman will be paramount in keeping Kansas City from unleashing its rushers in full force. Ryan could also find big opportunities if his protection holds, as cornerback Phillip Gaines was repeatedly burned last week by the Denver Broncos.

The Chiefs present one of the deepest set of pass rushers in the NFL with Tamba Hali and Dee Ford. But Houston showed why he's the premiere threat last week, posting three sacks in just his second game back from a knee injury.

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Ravens' run defense vs. Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi

Even with Ajayi's production slowing down in recent weeks, Miami has strung together a six-game win streak. Baltimore ranks first against the rush, but the defense could be in for a long day if it has any lapses.

Ajayi gained just 45 yards on 18 carries last week against the San Francisco 49ers, who rank last in rushing yards allowed. But the second-year back remains an offensive focal point with at least 19 touches in each of his previous six games.

Baltimore hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, and slipping against Ajayi could cost it the lead in the AFC North. Ryan Tannehill has displayed an increased comfort in Adam Gase's system, as evidenced by a 67.6% completion rate and just one interception during Miami's ongoing streak. Ravens linebackers C.J. Mosley and Zach Orr could be difficult for an ailing Dolphins offensive line.

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Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham vs. Panthers defense

Graham missed last season's NFC divisional playoff loss to the Panthers, but he burned them for eight catches and 140 yards in the regular-season matchup. Now the tight end could play a crucial role in helping Seattle's offensive regain its footing after last week's unraveling against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Seahawks converted just one of 11 third-down attempts last week, and they rank 25th in the league with a 35% conversion rate on the season. The 6-7 tight end might be the best option for addressing this deficiency. With Russell Wilson likely to remain under constant pressure behind a struggling offensive line and no certainty of improvements in the run game, Graham may need to provide a spark on jump balls and with yards after the catch.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Kurt Coleman are both sidelined with concussions this week, leaving the Panthers even more vulnerable against Graham. Carolina is tied for third with 31 sacks this season, and it will need its defensive line to corral Wilson and ease the burden for an overextended secondary.

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LeSean McCoy vs. Raiders' front seven

With the No. 1 seed in the AFC within reach, Sunday could serve as a litmus test for Oakland's playoff readiness. McCoy and the Bills' second-ranked rushing attack are an imposing matchup for a defense that has given up the most yards per carry (4.62) in the AFC.

Despite its inconsistencies, Buffalo's offense remains an ever-present big play threat. McCoy had just 5 yards on eight carries in the first half last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he later broke a 75-yard touchdown run and added another score on a 25-yard reception.

Oakland's defense yielded three rushing touchdowns last week, and its best bet for stopping McCoy might be to force Buffalo into obvious passing situations. Tyrod Taylor has been sacked 30 times this season, and Khalil Mack earned AFC defensive player of the month honors in November after the edge rusher tallied four sacks and two forced fumbles in his last three games.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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