1. A Very Good Defense – The Steelers may have what many feel is the best defense in the league, but the Jets are not all that far behind. They did something Sunday many felt no team could do, and that is contain the Pats and more so Tom Brady. Take away the late TD that made the score more closer than it should have been, and the Jets dominated that game in New England from start to finish. Darrelle Revis is the best cover CB in the league, and up front their front four get pressure and do a good job on the run. From a positive standpoint for the Steelers, they did have 378 total yards, and if they would have scored on that last play, many more would be on the Steelers bandwagon today. With that though, the Steelers have to have a good gameplan for the Jets D Sunday night.
2. Holmes and Edwards – Would the Jets be where they are without the trade for Santonio Holmes? Probably not. He won the game in Cleveland in OT, and had a big play in the OT in Detroit, two games the team needed to be a wild card. Holmes is a game breaker, much the like of Mike Wallace. He can’t be overlooked, and the Steelers did a good job on him in the first game when he had 6 grabs for 40 yards. Edwards made a couple big plays in New England, and had a big grab at the end of the that Colts game as well. He had a bigger day the first time out, 8 grabs for 100 yards with a 38-yard catch. Mark Sanchez will look to these two often.
3. Sanchez can’t be counted out – Out of the four QB’s left in the playoffs, Sanchez is probably the one you would want the least, but if there’s something he’s proven in two years, he knows how to win. Last time vs the Steelers he was 19-for-29 for 170 yards, but didn’t make a turnover, and even ran in a score and had 3 runs for 15 yards and a score. The Steelers need to put their usual pressure on him, and it would be nice to see pressure from up the middle like they did against Joe Flacco in the 2nd half Saturday. The first game the Steelers had one sack for 0 yards, they need to do a better job this time out.
4. A shift in their kick return game – The first game Brad Smith ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown, putting the Steelers down right off the bat. Smith though, is hurt with a groin injury, and it’s unknown if he will play Sunday. The Jets have turned kick returns to cornerback Antonio Cromartie, and he’s done a nice job, putting 25.8 yards on four attempts with a long gain of 37 yards. The Jets special teams need to be shut down and put in some bad spots on the field for the Steelers to have an edge.
5. Kicking game – This game could come down to the kickers, and the Jets have a pretty good one in Nick Folk, who was 30-for-39 this season. Heinz Field is a tough place to kick, we all know that, and Shaun Suisham can’t miss from 43-42 yards in, like he did Saturday that could have given the Steelers momentum heading into the half. Folk can boom em’, he showed that with a 56-yard field goal at Denver, but then again, lots of kickers have had their longest kicks in Denver. Here’s hoping that the game is well in the Steelers pockets so they won’t have to worry about a last second kick.
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Swiper
January 17, 2011 at 6:35 pm
I hate to take shots at fellow steeler fans but it is amazing at the lack of posting now by Mark and Jay. I guess its because they have been proven completely wrong. Here the Steelers are one game from playing in another super bowl and they are silent. typical steeler fans i guess…they are happier when the team is doing poorly. Hell, i remember Jay wanting coach tomlin fired!! Hysterical. Some advice for you guys, try enjoying a successful team that is well run and does what it can to have team that is highly competitive every year. Go Steeelers!!!
mark
January 18, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Im right here Swiper! I just wanted to survey the landscape before I commented on this weeks game! Are you actually talking about me and Jay NOT being legitimate Steeler fans?? C’mon Bro! I am as happy as any REAL Steeler fan. I will speak for myself when it comes to your assessment about Me being proven wrong. About what, may I ask? Any questions I have about my Steelers are still legitimate questions about the team even though they (the team) are in such a great position. The offensive line? The lack of running the ball in a crucial spot? These are the questions that most people have about the Steelers and their ability to finish this off. NO bro, I am not happy when the Steelers are struggling. I just dont look at the team with rose colored glasses ALL the time. I get mad when they look bad and I am thrilled when they play up to their potential. I gues you are a much better fan than Jay or I, because you GAURANTEE success EVERY week and the problems that the Steelers may have are inconsequential? You call me a “typical” Steeler fan because of…. what exactly?
Jay
January 18, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Listen, chief, I shouldn’t have to defend my posts or lack thereof. You sound like a douche bag. How do u know what’s going on in the lives of others as if to intimate that posting about my favorite team takes precedence over grad school, a FT job, having a baby, an internship and ad infinitum. I post when I have time, period. If you haven’t seen me on here it’s because of the lack of time not because a passionate fan who gets “worked up” about wins/losses feels now that since they’re winning, it’s time to shut-up. If you know me, feel free to talk, you don’t so shut your pie hole and root for the black and gold! I’ve been a fan since the 1970’s when I was a little kid! I try not to jinx stuff and also, I find these posts as a place to vent, not celebrate! That’s my fucking perogative, bro! If you don’t feel the same way, that’s your dish! I don’t care, I celebrtate back home with my fellow Steeler fans here in eastern PA amidst a sea of not-so-benevolent eagles fans!!!! It’s easy to be a steeler fan in the mecca of steeler land but try being one out here! Ever get into a fight with an Eagles fan at eagles training camp? I did! (Lehigh university is close to my house and I love football so much that I go every year–I was at steelers training camp once and the fans are way better in Latrobe than in Bethlehem—but I digress) just because I was wearing a steelers jersey. Have you ever had to defend BB’s rape escapades to eagles fans in barrooms? No I didn’t think so…No I have directv so i don’t have to watch the games there anymore but that’s a different story. Ever alienate yourself from your very own family because they’re all Eagles fans and you can’t stand to be around them because of it and you’re always fighting because of it? No i bet not! Don’t be fucking questioning how much of a fan I am just because I bitch and moan about things and then don’t show up when grad school picks back up and my wife is 7 months pregnant! Now you know a little bit more about me, Swiper!
Wes
January 17, 2011 at 6:56 pm
We been here before….Steelers 24-14 over Jets. Our Def at home is just to NASTY! And you add in Paulie and you got a great DEF! Ben will now feel good about passing to Brown and Sanders…The o line is WEAK but with the Steeler nation in full force they will controll the def line. Jets are a solid team but this AINT NEW ENGLAND this is A SHARK FEST IN BLITZBURGH!!! number 7 here we come! GOOOOOO STEELERS!!!
Jeff
January 17, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Good or Bad?
Good – We beat Baltimore yet again in a big game,even with #43 being kinda invisible due to the scheme on Sat. He was playing back all day but did miss a couple tackles. His presence alone back there kept Baltimore from trying the deep ball.
Bad – # 43 is a bit more injured than we know and isn’t able to play on line of scrimmage where he makes a living wreaking havoc?
Read Peter King on SI.com about Steeler fans watching the game in a bar in Shangia – China…about 125 of them!!! Great Stuff
Swiper
January 18, 2011 at 7:51 pm
My only point is you guys post more when the steelers don’t win games. Just trying to get a reaction. I did not insult either one of you, unlike Jay. I am not questioning either of your loyalties. You are obviously very passionalte Steeler fans. Maybe I am wrong though. Won’t be the first time or the last. To me you guys are typical Steeler fans because most everything posted is a negative. This will be the Steelers 4th AFC title game in 7 years yet you guys look at it probably as 3 times in the last 7 years the Steelers were not in the title game. Just an observation. Like i said, i could be wrong. Enjoy watching the game this weekend and hopefully the Steelers will be on their way to Dallas about 10 pm Sunday night. Go Stillers!!!
DrGeorge
January 19, 2011 at 11:43 am
Come on, guys — the opponent this week is the Jets, not each other. No one should question or feel obliged to defend the loyalties of the folks who comment here. Thankfully, this is one of the few sites where discourse doesn’t often descend to the gutter.
However, even loyal fans, when analyzing any team, realistically see areas that need improvement, even in teams they love, like the Steelers. And the Steelers do have some glaring weaknesses. We talk about them all the time here. That isn’t being disloyal; it’s more like an expression of frustration and angst.
M. Loede’s article lists areas of concern. We all wonder if Sanchez can exploit the Steelers’ weak secondary, especially with McFadden a bit dinged; if the Jets’ running game can find holes in our defensive front; if their special teams is primed for another long run back. We wonder whether Ben and his receiving corps are a match for the vaunted Jets secondary and whether our running game can handle their quick defensive front. In fact, the Jets look a lot like the Ravens, who almost beat us last week.
There is a lot of real stuff to talk about, guys. Let’s not inspire ill will by bashing on each other.