PITTSBURGH (AP) – Rodney Harrison’s 87-yard interception return for a touchdown was the longest pickoff run back for a score in New England Patriots history.

The Steelers were driving when Harrison picked off Ben Roethlisberger and ran down the left side of the field, slowing up so linebacker Mike Vrabel could catch up and block the Steelers quarterback. Harrison then went into the end zone alone to make it 24-3 with 2:14 left in the half.

It was Harrison’s fourth playoff interception in two seasons with New England, tying him with Ty Law for the most in franchise history. The 87-yard return topped Law’s 47-yard return against the St. Louis Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl.

Automatic Adam

Adam Vinatieri has some pretty big field goals to his credit, with the two Super Bowl winners in 2002 and 04.

But what he did Sunday to start off the AFC championship game against Pittsburgh may have been tougher.

With the temperature hovering at 11 degrees and a 9 mph wind in his face, Vinatieri hit a 48-yarder in the first quarter to give New England a 3-0 lead.

It matches the longest kick at Heinz Field since the stadium opened four years ago and quickly became the bane of placekickers. Just last week, New York Jets kicker Doug Brien missed field goals from 47 and 43 yards in the final two minutes of regulation that would have won the game for New York.

Vinatieri is no stranger to foul weather. The South Dakota native kicked a 45-yarder in a driving snow to send a 2002 playoff game against Oakland into overtime, where he won it with a 23-yarder.

The Patriots then beat Pittsburgh in the AFC title game to advance to the Super Bowl against St. Louis. Vinatieri kicked a 48-yarder as time expired to give New England its first NFL title. Two years later, he kicked a 41-yarder against Carolina with 4 seconds left to give the Patriots another Super Bowl victory.

In all, Vinatieri has made more than 82 percent of his field goal attempts, good for fourth in NFL history.

Heinz Field hasn’t been much of a problem for Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, who was good from 43 and 20 yards to give him 21 in a row. He’s 15-of-16 at home in three seasons with Pittsburgh.

Sitting it out

New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour was deactivated for the game, the third consecutive contest he’s missed with a left knee injury.

Seymour was hurt in a Dec. 26 victory over the New York Jets and missed the last game of the regular season, and the Patriots’ 20-3 playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts last weekend. He was one of two Patriots on the All-Pro team.

Steelers inside linebacker Kendrell Bell was held out again with a sore groin, although he said last week he was ready to play. He has played in only three games this season and hasn’t been in a game since Nov. 21.

Also sitting out for New England were receiver Kevin Kasper, defensive backs Earthwind Moreland and Antwan Harris, running back Cedric Cobbs, tight end Jed Weaver and defensive end Marquise Hill.

The other Pittsburgh inactives were cornerback Chidi Iwuoma, running back Willie Parker, offensive linemen Barrett Brooks and Jim Jones, tight end Matt Kranchick and linebacker Alonzo Jackson.

Back home

The snowstorm that dumped more than two feet of snow on the Boston area forced the Patriots to cancel a tailgate party at Gillette Stadium.

About 500 people who purchased tickets will get refunds.

The AFC title game would have been held in Foxboro, Mass., if Brien had been able to make either of two field goals in the fourth quarter against the Steelers last week.

With states of emergency declared in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, it’s not clear if the game would have been postponed.

“We would have made every effort to play,” Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.