Reed set to step up

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' chances of getting to the Super Bowl could rest on the foot of kicker Jeff Reed.

Although Reed is not in Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri's class -- who is? -- he has shown some grace under pressure this season, kicking a 33-yard field goal in overtime last week to give the Steelers a 20-17 AFC divisional playoff victory over the New York Jets.

Despite a distinguished career with the Steelers since he joined the team as a free agent in November 2002, Reed understands he will be going against the master in Vinatieri.

"As far as one on one goes, I'm going against the best," said Reed. "He has proven himself. Once again, he's going to the Pro Bowl. I can't comment enough on him. Adam is great. He's a great kicker and great role model for me. I want to be where he is someday and I'm striving to be where he is."

Reed made 28 of 33 field goal attempts this season. He hit a winning 42-yard field goal in a 24-21 season-opening victory over the Oakland Raiders, a winning 37-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining in a 17-16 victory over Jacksonville, and the winner against the Jets last week.

Kicking at Heinz Field, where the longest field goal in its four-year history is 47 yards, is not easy under the best conditions. "It's very tough to kick field goals there," said Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

"It's not easy to kick in a lot of places," said Reed, laughing. "I didn't know about [the longest successful kick at Heinz] until this week. It's just a matter of the conditions. We'll just have to see how the game plays out."

The Steelers made it clear, however, they do not want the game to come down to field goals. "That's not what we want," said running back Jerome Bettis, in praise of Vinatieri. "We don't want him to decide it. I don't think he bleeds. He's cold."

Making their mark The Steelers are the fourth team in NFL history to enter a conference championship game with a 15-1 regular-season record. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Chicago Bears in the NFC title game in 1984 and went on to defeat the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl; the 1985 Chicago Bears beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game and beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl; the 1998 Minnesota Vikings lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC title game . . . How crazy is Pittsburgh about the Steelers? Local television had a 30-minute special Thursday night, and two shows Friday night. And then there is the pregame and postgame shows this afternoon and tonight. There was also a three-hour pep rally in Station Square Friday night . . . Today's title game is the ninth hosted by the Steelers, the most in either conference. The 49ers have hosted eight title games . . . The Steelers are healthy, with only running back Vernon Haynes slowed down by a groin injury. Haynes practiced for the first time this week on Thursday . . . Offensive guard Alan Faneca was asked to describe what happened in the regular-season victory over the Patriots. "We got lucky last time," he said. "We got ahead and got to play our game, which is to run the ball." . . . Pittsburgh's standout special teamer Sean Morey of Marshfield, Mass., played in two of the last three NFC Championships with the Eagles . . . The Steelers have hired 200 extra people for snow removal at Heinz Field.