A frenzied playoff atmosphere hovered over Pittsburgh's North Shore Sunday as the Steelers readied for a heavyweight collision with nemesis New England Patriots, in a matchup billed as the biggest NFL game of this regular season.

The storylines ran deep:

Ben versus Brady.

Tomlin versus Belichick.

Steelers Nation versus the team that embarrassed them and ended any Super Bowl aspirations during last season's AFC Championship game.

Outside of Heinz Field Sunday morning, many Steelers fans confidently and cautiously believed this would be the game their beloved team came out on top.

ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, with Randy Moss, Rex Ryan, Matt Hasselbeck, set up outside of Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 on the North Shore. By 11 a.m., a large crowd twirled Terrible Towels and cheered "Here we go Steelers. Here we go!"

A smaller, yet noticeable, contingent of Patriots fans clad in Tom Brady jerseys countered "Here we go Brady. Here we go!"

Former Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel, a guest on the ESPN show, riled the fans up on the restaurant patio as Styx's "Renegade" blared in the background, over and over. Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen joined Keisel and saluted the fans with his own Terrible Towel.

Out come the Terrible Towels #SteelersNation @espn pic.twitter.com/yLAREHZysd

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Brett Keisel riling up crowd at Bettis Grille pic.twitter.com/y9m625gWkz

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

"Everyone's calling it a mini Super Bowl and I think it's going to be a great game," said Patriots fan Nate Stimpson, whose family hails from Worcester, Mass. He now lives in Fort Wayne, Ind. and drove to Pittsburgh Saturday evening.

Nate Stimpson is a Patriots fan. Traveled here from Indiana. pic.twitter.com/NGlQqLh738

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

As the 4:25 p.m. kickoff approached, the parking lots filled early Sunday afternoon, with makeshift bars, kegs of beer, grills and extravagant food spreads. A cacophony of Steelers cheers and music filled the air with excitement and anticipation.

Stimpson marveled at the scene as he proudly wore his Brady jersey dined inside of Burgatory restaurant near Heinz Field.

"Everyone's been really nice even though it's a big rivalry," he said. "The Patriots just lost to the Dolphins so everything's up for grabs."

His prediction: 31-28 Patriots, with a last-minute field goal.

Nonsense, said Steelers fan Robert Bledsoe of Pittsburgh's North Side. He was confident the Steelers pass rush could disrupt Brady and send the Patriots home with a loss.

"I'm predicting, 38-27 Steelers," he said, pronouncing the team's name as "Stillers."

Steelers fan Robert Bledsoe , 40,of the North Side. Prediction #steelers win! pic.twitter.com/xEeRK2A2QV

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Just after noon, Jim Shippley of Erie set up a tailgate table of chili dogs, grilled kielbasa and a variety of craft beers in a parking lot next to the D.L. Clark building.

Jim Shippling of Erie with a prediction. pic.twitter.com/w8g9ytRaMm

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

"I think we're gonna take it to him," he said of Brady. "I don't think their defense can stop our offense right now. The defense will give up some yards, but we'll be all right."

His prediction: 31-17 Steelers.

"No doubt about it," Shippley said.

Across the parking lot, Steve Bland of Highland Park showed off an elaborate buffet of lobster bisque, pulled pork sandwiches, Buffalo chicken wraps, grilled flank steak and cheesesteak sandwiches.

"We go out like this every home game," he said. "We'll have 150 people at this tailgate."

Steve Bland of Highland Park readies his food pic.twitter.com/osWtoV2Gfx

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Jake Denelsbeck, 16, and his father, Steve, walked across the Heinz Field parking lots in their Patriots gear. Jake sported a Brady jersey, while his father sported a Pats ballcap.

Originally from Quincy, Mass., they drove up to Pittsburgh from their current home in Fairfax, Va.

"You gotta love the atmosphere," Steve Denelsbeck, eagerly awaiting the kickoff. "The city's all about this game. You gotta respect that. It's a great sports city and very similar to Boston."

Both oozed confidence in a Patriots win.

"AB is AB," Steve Denelsbeck said of Steelers wider receiver Antonio Brown. "But Ben is good for five interceptions today."

Patriots fans Jake Denelsbeck, 16, and his father Steve on the T. Jake says 35-20 Pats. pic.twitter.com/9vEjbcAAgZ

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

As for their predictions: 35-20 Patriots, said Jake Denelsbeck.

His father went with a blowout: 41-17 Patriots.

"If Shazier was here I think it's a whole different game," said the elder Denelsbeck of injured Steelers Ryan Shazier. "I'm not betting against Tom Brady today."

Ben Schmitt is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bschmitt@tribweb.com. Follow him on Twitter @bencschmitt.

The Nation arrives. #SteelersvsPatriots pic.twitter.com/wVF025Mrpx

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Tailgating underway #SteelerNation #SteelersvsPatriots pic.twitter.com/NIYLknb8kR

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Santa has arrived. #SteelerNation #steelersvspatriots #tailgate pic.twitter.com/ieJ0o98bZD

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

The beard Brett Keisel #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/pxRTnP7FKg

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Renegade and @brettkeiselfans #steelers pic.twitter.com/g8yY9GQHP9

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

Early risers of #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/LOZKrP1mRO

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

It’s @TheCUTCH22 on set of @espn Sunday NFL Countdown pic.twitter.com/j7NPSFkM2X

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) December 17, 2017

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