NFL Picks Week 15: Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Defeat the New York Jets

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets will face off at Heinz Field this Sunday.

The game will feature two top NFL defenses and weather that should be well below freezing.

This contest holds major playoff implications as the Steelers will fight for home-field advantage and the Jets will fight to clinch a Wild Card spot.

This is the game of the week as it features two of the top teams in the league.  In the end though, the Steelers will come out on top.

Here are seven reasons why the Steelers will defeat the Jets on Sunday:

7. Home Field Advantage

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Fans of the the Pittsburgh Steelers cheer during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Home field advantage is said to be worth three points.  In a game that features two of the NFL's best defenses, three points is huge.

Heinz Field is one of the hardest places to play in the league.  There is the crazy weather, and the crazy fans.

6. Thunder and Lightning

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a second quarter touchdown pass with Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall while playing the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace have made a great young running back-receiver combination this season.

Mendenhall is in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing touchdowns while Wallace is in the top 10 in receiving touchdowns and is second in the league in yards per reception.

The Jets won't be able to shut down both weapons.

5. Holmes and Edwards Ineffective

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 27: Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with fans after a 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens on December 27, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ike Taylor and the Steelers cornerbacks went up against Santonio Holmes every day in practice.  They know how to shut him down and they will do so.

Braylon Edwards's hands are horrible when it's warm outside.  In freezing Pittsburgh, Edwards won't be able to catch anything except a cold.

Dustin Keller has to blow up if the Jets have any hope of moving the ball through the air.

4. Streaks

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: James Sanders #36 of the New England Patriots celebrates after he intercepted a pass against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Steelers are on a four-game winning streak and have plenty of momentum heading into this week's game.

The Jets can't say the same.  They've lost two in a row, a 45-3 slaughter against New England and a 10-6 upset at home versus Miami.

3. Mark Sanchez

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets against the Miami Dolphins at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Sanchez has thrown an interception in eight straight games.  He's thrown 12 total during those eight games.

You can't turn the ball over against the Steelers.  Their defense has playmakers that can take it to the house, their offense makes you pay and they just don't give you many opportunities to score in the first place.

2. Elite Front Seven

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Reggie Kelly #82 of the Cincinnati Bengals is hit by James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers after catching a pass during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/

The Steelers line backing core of James Harrison, Lamar Woodley, James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons is the best in the NFL by far.

It doesn't matter that the Jets have the sixth-best rushing attack in the league; they have no hope.

The Steelers have only surrendered an incredible 60.1 yards a game on the ground this season.

1. Troy Polamalu

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball after catching an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerh

Troy Polamalu just makes plays, over, and over and over again.

There is no better safety in the NFL right now, and there may not be a better defender.

He's tied for second in the league in interceptions, but stats don't even tell the whole story.  The man is as clutch as they come on the defensive side of the football.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter.