Jets vs. Steelers: Notable Injuries Will Make AFC Showdown Passing Explosion

Star players—key players—are out for the AFC matchup between the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here, we take a quick look at those not suiting up for the Week 2 contest.

New York Jets

According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:

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The Jets will limp into Pittsburgh tomorrow minus All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis and two other key pieces, tight end Dustin Keller and linebacker Bryan Thomas.

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So, the Jets' road game in the Steel City just puts more pressure on Mark Sanchez and the offense to perform. On the flip side, Pittsburgh enters its home-opener arguably more banged up.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Per the Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports:

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Steelers linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu are inactive for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Quarterback Charlie Batch, running back Rashard Mendenhall, nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu, guard Kelvin Beachum and linebacker Stevenson Sylvester are also inactive for Pittsburgh.

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The names to focus on there are Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and Rashard Mendenhall.

Just based on main contributors alone, this game is basically even. Let's break down the offenses and see what we can now anticipate from Gang Green and the Steel Curtain.

Jets Offense

The Jets and Mark Sanchez still need to present a balanced attack, but expect New York to take more than a few shots downfield. Despite Pittsburgh still fielding a sound defense when you exclude Polamalu and Harrison, attacking must occur.

Sanchez's receiving corps is coming off a strong performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. There, rookie Stephen Hill, veteran Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley all combined for 202 yards on 13 receptions and three touchdowns.

Pittsburgh will get diced up in zone coverage, as Sanchez does have better protection than advertised, so the Steelers will need to lock down man to man. Doing so will also give the Jets open windows on the outside and deep because Gang Green presents decent size at receiver.

Also, don't forget about checkdowns to Shonn Greene and Joe McKnight, since both can accumulate good yards after the catch. New York will need to stretch Pittsburgh out regardless, though, as the Steelers remain stellar against the run but are more vulnerable versus the pass.

Steelers Offense

Pittsburgh has to fully anticipate the Jets blitzing early and often. After Ben Roethlisberger was pressured for much of his Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos, the Steelers can't afford to give up sacks.

If anything, faster-developing plays need to happen so Big Ben can get rid of the rock sooner rather than later. Also, receiver Mike Wallace is one of the fastest NFL players, so tossing up multiple jump balls on fade routes can present an advantage in any single-coverage situation.

New York will have to load the box as well, because running backs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are excellent at getting yards after contact. It will take constant gang tackling to totally isolate the Steelers' running game, which then will open up the passing attack.

If Roethlisberger can work quickly off play-action and launch downfield, Gang Green will get on its heels early. Then as the game progresses, Dwyer and Redman can take over since both are reliable between the tackles and in any short-yard down-and-distance.

Prediction

Jets 34, Steelers 31

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