It’s Week Ten in the 2014 NFL regular season already, and the next opponent the Pittsburgh Steelers will face is the New York Jets. While Pittsburgh improved to 6-3 on the season after defeating the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field, the Jets could not hold on in Kansas City against the Chiefs, dropping to 1-8. Steelers Gab takes a look at the Steelers vs Jets 2014 week ten units’ advantages/disadvantages.
Steelers |
Jets |
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| BEN ROETHLISBERGER | MICHAEL VICK |
| Roethlisberger put together back-to-back games where he threw for six touchdowns. He set franchise and NFL records while leading an offense that has taken off in the past three weeks at Heinz Field. Although Roethlisberger is a target for the pass rush, the Jets will have trouble containing his ability to spread the offense and find multiple ways to attack New York. | Michael Vick didn’t start for the New York Jets, but Rex Ryan was unimpressed with Geno Smith’s performance as the team failed to come up with victories. Vick was hit in the head and had to leave the game in KC, but was able to come back in and throw for 196 yards and one touchdown. Vick has a foot injury that coach Rex Ryan is concerned about and may be easier to contain. |
| ADVANTAGE | |
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| RBs – LeGarrette Blount, Le’Veon Bell | RBs – Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell |
| The one-two punch of LeGarrette Blount and Le’Veon Bell has been effective for Pittsburgh. Bell continues to prove that he can be an elite back and week nine saw him record his first game of the season with less than 100 yards on the ground. Bell is valuable in pass routes. Blount had the same carries as Bell against the Ravens and put up 23 yards. Blount proved to be more punishing against a strong defensive front in the run game. | The trio of Johnson, Ivory and Powell has been unpredictable at best in 2014. In their loss to KC, Johnson led the way with a team-high 69 rushing yards on 11 carries. His longest rush went 21 yards. Ivory added 22 rushing yards on eight carries, while Bilal Powell had 20 rushing yards on five carries. None of them had a TD. Johnson was the only RB for the Jets to get targeted in the passing game. None have been very successful against a strong run defense. |
| ADVANTAGE | |
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| Steelers Wide Receivers | Jets Wide Receivers |
| Antonio Brown is on a streak and is considered one of the elite receivers in the league. Brown’s explosive speed gives him the ability to make game-changing plays every time he touches the ball. Rookie Martavis Bryant has emerged as a valuable asset and Markus Wheaton continues to improve. | Eric Decker not only gets open, but keeps offensive drives alive. Percy Harvin is an all-around talent in Mornhinweg’s offense and has played well this season. |
| SLIGHT ADVANTAGE |
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| Steelers Defense |
Jets Defense |
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| The Steelers are considered by many NFL insiders to be a mediocre defense, unable to shut down opponents they once manhandled. Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons is the top tackler on the squad, but the defensive front put up good pressure on Andrew Luck and Joe Flacco. Without Troy Polamalu, Ryan Shazier and Ike Taylor, the Steelers will try to make adjustments similar to the second half of their week nine win. Cortez Allen could redeem himself this week at corner unless the coaching staff is confident in Antwon Blake. | The Jets have been hard-hitters and tough in their defensive front, making it difficult for opponents to run the ball against them. Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson paired with linebacker David Harris love to pressure, but with a shoulder issue, Harris may not be as active this week. The Jets’ defensive backfield is struggling despite Dawan Landry being able to make big open-field tackles. |
| EVEN | EVEN |
| Steelers Special Teams | Jets Special Teams |
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| The Steelers have allowed opponents more yardage than they have gained in the return game this season, but with Antonio Brown and Dri Archer, it may just be a matter of time before there is a big punt or kick return. Shaun Suisham has been a gold mine at kicker. Brad Wing showed in week nine that he has improved his game, involving himself in a little extra-curricular teammate support and having a better length and hang-time than in previous weeks. | The Jets can count on kicker Nick Folk to be solid in PATs and FG attempts and punter Ryan Quigley has a strong leg. The Jets will try to pin the Steelers deep and have adequately covered punt and kickoff returns, but they have yet to see the speed Pittsburgh potentially can put to use. |
| SLIGHT ADVANTAGE | |
| Mike Tomlin / Coaching Staff | Rex Ryan / Coaching Staff |
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| Mike Tomlin, Dick LeBeau and Todd Haley have a solid assistant coaching staff behind them that have been putting together plays and performances in the last three weeks that were monumental successes in most areas of the team. They know Ryan and should have enough talent on the field to pull out a win. The Steelers can’t afford for week 10 to be another ‘trap game’ situation and must plan to attack for 60 minutes. | Rex Ryan is frustrated. He’s got a 1-8 team, a quarterback problem in Geno Smith, performance issues, injuries – all in a head coach’s job description to deal with. He and his staff have been able to motivate players to different levels at times, but this season has not been kind. Expect Ryan and the Jets to step up in case the Steelers get caught up like they did earlier in the season against inferior, non-winning teams. |
| ADVANTAGE | |
| WINNERS |
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Denise
November 6, 2014 at 8:45 am
The ” Steelers” are going to win this game!
DrGeorge
November 6, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Tomlin expressed a concern in his press conference about his players letting down for this game (a trap game, in other words). It’s his job to see that doesn’t happen. But it is a long season, and players are human. Perhaps he should substitute more freely for veterans like Keisel and Harrison, to spare them the wear and tear, and let a few hungry youngsters like Tuitt, V. Williams, and McCullers earn their salaries and bring a little zest to the game. We must develop depth behind our key veterans, and this looks like a good time to do it. On offense, Haley might load the backfield and run the ball more to control the clock and keep the defense off the field. If the offense is “letting down” Haley will know it right away and can substitute as needed. The Steelers can’t afford to lose this one — and they shouldn’t.