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Brown: 'It pays dividends for our team'

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, just two days before the Divisional Round Game against the Denver Broncos, Antonio Brown was ruled out with a concussion. Without Brown, as well as Le'Veon Bell and Le'Veon Bell, the offense took a hit.

The Steelers prepare for the Divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This week, things are much different. A healthy Brown, along with Bell and Williams, are ready to go against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

"I am grateful, in a better state than I was last year," said Brown. "That's what it's all about. I am grateful to be here, available for my team and ready to go.

"It's all about living in this moment, being here where we are. I am excited about the opportunity to be here healthy and I am looking forward to the weekend.

"We have a great opportunity ahead of us this weekend. Another step in the process. We are excited to attack it."

One thing that the team as a whole will have to attack on Sunday is the weather. After playing in bitter cold weather last week against the Dolphins, this week the Steelers might have to contend with Winter Storm Jupiter, which is hitting the Midwest and could bring freezing rain and heavy ice to the Kansas City area.

"I am a football player," said Brown. "We can't let weather conditions deem how we play. I am just excited to have an opportunity to play. Whatever the conditions are, we'll find a way to get the job done."

Brown would like to get the job done with the Chiefs playing man coverage against him, something the Dolphins did last week and he was able to exploit it for two big touchdowns.

"Whenever I get a chance in man coverage, I'm able to beat the defender, catch the ball and run," said Brown. "Those are the types of situations you dream about being in. Hopefully we get a little bit of man coverage this weekend and we can see the same thing. "

Another thing Brown wants to see this weekend is the punishing play of the Steelers' defense. He is a huge fan of the defense, wearing Ryan Shazier's No. 50 jersey during the team's Saturday walkthrough on a weekly basis, as well as sporting a winter hat with William Gay's No. 92 on the sidelines last week.

"I just want to support my guys," said Brown. "I am a big fan of our defense and players. I wear Shazier's jersey, he is one of the great players on our defense. He doesn't get as much recognition as he should.

"Everybody knows James Harrison. He's always wearing a skull cap during the game. When he is in, I am out, so I wore it to keep his presence on the sideline. You know what his presence brings.

"It's an honor to watch the way our defense plays, see them make plays. It pays dividends for our team."

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