FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots' decision-making process with their seven inactive players for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers comes with more intrigue than in previous games.

The most topical question: Which wide receiver doesn't make the cut?

It is unlikely that all five of the Patriots' receivers -- Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, Danny Amendola and Michael Floyd -- will be active, because of needs at other areas on the roster.

Edelman, the team's leading receiver during the regular season and the franchise's all-time leader for playoff receptions, is a lock to play.

Hogan has been the most consistent pairing with Edelman in the two-receiver set. Hogan led all NFL receivers in average yards per catch during the regular season (17.9, tied with DeSean Jackson) and is a factor on the kickoff return unit. Hogan sustained a thigh injury that knocked him out of last Saturday's divisional-round win, but he called the injury minor and sounded ready to go. It would be a surprise if he's inactive for the AFC Championship Game.

That leaves Mitchell, Amendola and Floyd for the two spots that are likely left.

The status of Mitchell clouds the picture. He sustained a knee injury Dec. 24 and missed the past two games. There was optimism last week at this time that Mitchell had a chance to be ready for the AFC Championship Game, and things appeared to be trending in the right direction over the past few days. But has it progressed enough to make him active? This is one of the most pressing questions to answer, because if Mitchell is cleared medically, he should be active based on the trust he has earned with quarterback Tom Brady.

Then it comes down to Amendola and Floyd.

Last week, the Patriots used Floyd rather than Amendola in their primary three-receiver set. Amendola played only three snaps in the first half compared to Floyd's eight. Floyd also moved into the primary two-receiver package when Hogan left the game with a thigh injury in the second half. By game's end, Floyd had played 44 snaps to Amendola's 21.

Based on that, Amendola could be edged out for a roster spot in the AFC Championship Game.

But Floyd and Brady had a few noticeable plays in which they weren't quite on the same page (an interception and then another near interception), so will that affect the team's decision-making if it ultimately comes down to Amendola or Floyd?

Also, Amendola has more playoff experience and adds value as a punt returner, which are other factors to consider.

That would be a tough call.

I'd lean toward Amendola in that situation, but does Bill Belichick see it the same way?

Here are the factors Belichick is considering with his inactive players (assuming medical clearance for those on the injury report):

Inactive locks: QB Jacoby Brissett, OT LaAdrian Waddle, S Jordan Richards, RB D.J. Foster, CB Justin Coleman and/or Cyrus Jones.

What's left: One or two other players must be declared inactive.

Top health questions: DE Jabaal Sheard (knee), RB Brandon Bolden (knee), WRs Hogan/Mitchell.

Special-teams considerations: Core fourth-down players Geneo Grissom, Barkevious Mingo, Bolden, Shea McClellin, Brandon King, Matthew Slater, Jonathan Jones and Nate Ebner should be assured spots on the 46-man game-day roster.