Mattie T’s AFC Championship Game Preview: New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on January 22, 2011
He’s already taken down 4-time League MVP Peyton Manning & 3-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady in the playoffs so far. Can Rex Ryan knock off 2-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger to get his New York Jets to the big game?
This will be the 4th Conference Championship appearence for the Jets, as they will look to win their first road game in four tries.
This will be the 15th Conference Championship appearence for the Steelers, as they will look to win their second home game in the last three seasons.
It feels weird saying that 28-year old Ben Roethisberger is the most experienced quarterback left, but that is indeed the case as he looks to send Pittsburgh to their 3rd Super Bowl appearence in the last 6 years.
Roethlisberger would like to improve his sub-par play against the Jets, as he’s completed just 53.4% of his passes (lowest percentage among AFC opponents), thrown for 201 yards per game with 2 touchdowns & 3 interceptions.
Rashard Mendenhall did rush for two big touchdowns to help the Steelers in their comeback win over the Ravens in the Divisional Round, but his 2.3 yards-per-carry average is a season-low.
Hines Ward’s presence was surely missed during their Week 15 loss to the Jets, as he missed most of the game with a concussion. However, Ward hasn’t enjoyed his usual homefield edge as he has just two receiving touchdowns in 9 home games this season. (including playoffs).
That will be key, since Darrelle Revis is figured to be paying extra close attention to Mike Wallace, who had 102 receiving yards in that Week 15 loss & is averaging 21 more yards at home this season.
Another key guy could be Heath Miller, who played a key role in the second half of the season and did miss the regular-season meeting with a concussion.
The key for Mark Sanchez is to limit the mistakes, since the Jets are just 2-8 when the former USC star commits more than one turnover in a game for his career.
Ex-Steeler Santonio Holmes hasn’t been a big factor in the playoffs so far (7 receptions for 66 receiving yards in 2 games), but did come on late & had several clutch 4th quarter or overtime catches for the Jets to help them sneak out some close wins.
This will be a very close & low-scoringgame, but i think Pittsburgh will flex their top-ranked defense late & force Sanchez into a key mistake to clinch a Super Bowl berth to Texas Stadium.
Mattie T’s AFC Championship Game Prediction: Steelers 10, Jets 7.
