PITTSBURGH -- Defensive back Anthony Smith is so certain the Pittsburgh Steelers will end the New England Patriots' unbeaten season, he is guaranteeing a win Sunday.

The Patriots may have the perfect 12-0 record, but they should be worried about the 9-3 Steelers, rather than the other way around, he said.

"We got our swagger back on defense. We're playing great ball," Smith said on Wednesday. "And they're playing great on the offensive side too, so I think we've got a real good chance to win the game. We will win the game."

When reporters asked if that statement was a guarantee, Smith said, "Yeah. We're going to win the game."

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New England quarterback Tom Brady responded on Thursday.

"Coach (Bill Belichick) always says we do our talking on Sundays," said Brady. "I'm glad they feel that way. I hope they do feel they can win. I'd hate for them to feel like they come in here and can't win a game. We'll see who comes out ahead on Sunday."

"We don't talk during the week," added New England linebacker Junior Seau. "What we try to do is just work everyday to build tomorrow."

Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, asked by Fox Sports Radio about Smith's comments, said, "Never heard of him."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin dismissed the issue on Thursday, chalking it up to "some young guy" talking.

"Guarantees aren't worth the paper they're written on," Tomlin said. "I think anytime you have a big game, you'll find some young guy in the corner of the locker room willing to guarantee a victory. In this business, it's not about what we say. It's about what we do. We understand that, and I'm sure the Patriots understand that, as well."

"I think the most important thing is for us to be ready to play the game," said Belichick. "The Steelers are a good football team. They're tough. We're going to play our best. That's what it's going to come down to."

The Steelers stopped the Patriots' record 21-game winning streak in 2004, but they have dropped five of six to New England since 1997 -- including two losses in AFC championship games.

But Smith said there are multiple reasons why the Steelers will be the team that keeps New England from going without a loss this year.

Pittsburgh's defense has allowed the fewest points and yards in the NFL and, Smith said, "We don't expect that to change."

"They say they played their toughest game last week against Baltimore, but I think we play harder than Baltimore," Smith said. "They're going to be in for it again this week. They're going to have a tough week in front of them."

Smith isn't worried his words might give the Patriots motivation, or that his own teammates will dislike what he is saying.

"They will back me up," Smith said. "Everyone has the same attitude anyway, so it's not like it's a big thing."

Smith also had some smack for the Patriots' receiving corps.

"They've got (Wes) Walker and (Randy) Moss," Smith said. "But they're not like Cincinnati."

Steelers linebacker James Farrior, cautioning that Smith hasn't been in the NFL long and may not realize what he is saying, doesn't think the Patriots will pay any attention to his statement.

"He better keep his mouth shut," Farrior said, though he was laughing. "Oh well, I guess we've got to go deal with that."

Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel also doubts Smith's words will have any impact as bulletin-board material for New England.

"I think a lot of us in here feel like this is one of those games where we really don't have that much to lose," Keisel said. "If we win the game, well, we weren't supposed to win, and if we lose the game, we were supposed to lose. They're this big, great team that no one can touch."

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