Some notes of interest from the AFC championship game:

-- The Steelers seven Super Bowl appearances are the second most in league history behind Dallas' eight. The Steelers can become the first team to win six Super Bowls. They are currently tied with the Cowboys and 49ers with five apiece.

-- Sunday's win was the Steelers' first in an AFC title game at Heinz Field and their first in Pittsburgh since beating Indianapolis on Jan. 14, 1996.

-- The Steelers are 7-7 in AFC title games, 5-5 at home. The seven AFC title game wins are a record.

-- The Steelers have played in 50 playoff games all-time, second to Dallas' 56.

-- The crowd of 65,350 was a Heinz Field record, surpassing the 62,242 who watched the Steelers lose to New England on Jan. 23, 2005.

-- Ben Roethlisberger improved to 7-2 in the postseason. His 65-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes was his longest in the playoffs. Roethlisberger has 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in nine postseason games.

-- Hines Ward had two catches for 55 yards before leaving with a knee injury. He became the second Steelers receiver with 1,000 postseason receiving yards with 1,011, joining John Stallworth.

-- LaMarr Woodley had two sacks and became the first player to record three straight multi-sack playoff games.

-- John Dudley