NFL Playoff Predictions: 15 Things To Watch For In Jets vs. Steelers

The Jets versus the Steelers will be quite a show to watch. You have one of the best defenses in the league going against one of the most unpredictable offenses in the league.

Mark Sanchez has done a lot of growing the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean he's past throwing a bunch of errant passes that can get him in trouble.

We'll also see how well the offensive line operates this week since they were just about all knocked out of the game last week.

Here are 15 things to look for in this week's game.

15. Halftime Adjustments

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets runs to make a tackle on Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty

The Ravens were one team before halftime, and a completely different team after.

The Steelers made the plays they had to make in the second half of last week's game while the Ravens just fell apart.

Pay close attention to how the teams are playing at the beginning of the third quarter and that will give you an idea of how the rest of the game will go.

14. Shaun Suisham

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Kicker Shaun Suisham #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers kicks an extra point against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham

Despite all the talent on the Pittsburgh offense, they have a terrible coordinator who really isn't very good, and as a result, the Pittsburgh offense doesn't score a lot of points. Games often come down to the kicker, so pay attention to Shaun Suisham.

As his kicks go, so could the Steelers' Super Bowl hopes.

13. Mike Wallace

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Mike Wallace #17 against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mike Wallace has been one of the Steelers' best breakout players of the season with more than 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.

The more Wallace is involved in the offense, the more successful the Steelers will be.

12. Special Teams

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets fields a kickoff which he returns 47-yards in the final minute of the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadiu

Never underestimate the value of the special teams unit. A poor special teams unit really killed the Steelers in 2009.

That unit is improved in 2010, so whoever wins the battle of field position goes a long way toward determining the winner of the game.

It's a lot easier to score a touchdown on a short field than if you're pinned back at your own 10-yard line.

11. Steelers Ability To Pressure Mark Sanchez

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets is rushed by LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Like any quarterback, Sanchez would prefer to have a lot of time to throw versus having three lineman in his face.

Sanchez didn't get a lot of pressure last week, and the results speak for themselves. Given Sanchez has had accuracy issues in his career, putting pressure on him and making him hurry his throws will be a key to the game.

Any pro should have an above average completion rate if they have all day to throw; it's their ability to throw while on the run that separates the men from the boys.

10. Who Gets Out-Coached?

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Im

Rex Ryan clearly out-coached Bill Belichick last week. This is not a matter of debate.

Now the question is if that was a fluke, or if Rex Ryan is going to get the best of Mike Tomlin again.

The Jets won in Pittsburgh last month, so this is a legitimate question.

9. How Effective The Steelers Secondary Is

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Jerricho Cotchery #89, Braylon Edwards #17 and Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrate their 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January

The Jets wide receivers are good, in case you weren't paying attention. Even Braylon "Brick Hands" Edwards has been having a career year.

The Steelers' ability to shut down the passing game is critical. The Jets have three legitimate deep threats, and that's hard to cover.

How well the Jets are covered will determine a lot of things about the game, the final score the big thing.

8. Darrelle Revis

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

The Jets have this player named Darrelle Revis, you might have heard of him. He'll probably have to cover Hines Ward again. You might have heard of Hines as well, he's been around a few years.

This matchup will be a key to the game. This is where Revis earns his contract.

7. Bryant McFadden's Injury

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Bryant McFadden missed practice yesterday while nursing some injuries from last week's game against the Ravens.

McFadden's health is critical to the Steelers keeping their secondary intact. One crack in that secondary and the Jets will be all over it.

6. Troy Polamalu

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty

Troy Polamalu didn't play in Week 15 when the Steelers lost to the Jets.

Polamalu will be on the field this Sunday, so pay close attention to the one-man highlight reel and see how much of an impact he has on the game.

5. Santonio Holmes

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets makes a catch in front of Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Image

While Rex Ryan has bypassed the "personal" grudge for this game, Santonio Holmes hasn't. Make no mistake, Holmes is still upset the Steelers traded him.

While it was off-field issues that got him the boot, he took it personally, and expect Holmes to make sure he's a big part of this game.

4. James Harrison

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to playing the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Sha

James Harrison is one of the most dominant linebackers in the league. It took him a few weeks, but he's finally stopped head-hunting.

This hasn't affected his game, other than he's not getting fined anymore, and he's just as effective as ever.

Harrison's presence on the field always is something to keep your eye on.

3. The Pittsburgh Offensive Line

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Chris Kemoeatu #68, Maurkice Pouncey #53, Ramon Foster #73 and Flozell Adams #71 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ok, the Steelers have Maurkice Pouncey and . . . . yep that's about it.

Good luck with that. I believe with injuries the Steelers were down to pulling fat guys out of the stands versus the Ravens.

It's criminal how bad the Pittsburgh Front Office has let the offensive line be the last few years. The Steelers better hope Roethlisberger continues to be durable, or it's going to be a very short game.

2. Ben Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregor

Ben Roethlisberger's ability to extend plays is second to none. The Jets need to keep Roethlisberger contained in the pocket where they have a chance to sack him.

If he gets free, good luck, he's probably going to torch you with a play no one will believe happened. That's his talent, and that's how good he is.

1. Mark Sanchez

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates after a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Mass

Mark Sanchez is hard to predict because of last week's game.

Sanchez had one of the best games of his career last week, but he hasn't done it consistently enough for anyone to make a solid prediction on his performance.

If Sanchez can play like he did last week, the Steelers are in a lot of trouble.