Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 Reasons They Will Win the AFC Championship Game

Championship Sunday is set in the Steel City. The Jets have earned the right to come to Heinz field to take on the Steelers and the rest of Steeler nation. The Steelers have been reeling from that near win weeks ago, and Sunday is payback time. 

Without question the Steelers win next Sunday. Here are 10 reasons why. 

10.They Are the Better Balanced Team

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after recovering a fumble by the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Penns

The Jets are capable of good quarterback play, and a good running attack, but that's only some of the time. 

The Steelers on the other hand run as well as they air it out. They are dangerous on both sides of the ball and will be a nightmare for the Jets to handle this time around.

9.Because Sanchez Will Make Too Many Mistakes

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to pass the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets

For as good as Mark Sanchez has been through stretches this season, he’s still not a prime time player. He makes too many mistakes.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Jets they will shut down the run and Sanchez doesn’t have the smarts to win it with his arm. That’s a fact. 

8.Because Tomlin Is Has Been The Best Coach in the AFC This Season

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Sha

Forget Rex Ryan, or even Bill Belichick. Neither had to go through stretches without their All-Pro quarterback, and injuries to the offensive line. Mike Tomlin has key injuries on both sides of the ball, including Troy Polamalu.

Not only has Tomlin endured every issue a head coach can face, he’s put the Steelers in the two-seed, in a division with a much tougher rival.

Rex Ryan is a good coach, but he doesn't have Tomlin's ring as a head coach. That's gotta count for something.

7.Because They Don't Have To Face New England

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks tso pass against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

Nobody scares the Steelers like Tom Brady does. Call it luck or skill, Brady has their number. 

But thanks to the Jets, the Steelers don't have to face them. Every part of the Jets is less scary to Pittsburgh, and that only builds their confidence. 

The Jets should be very afraid. 

6.Because They Are Finally Healthy

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Wide Receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregor

Every team has injuries, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have had to deal with losing Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith. Big Ben and Flozell Adams have been banged up all year as well.

We are just starting to see what the Steelers can be when they are at full strength. The Jets haven't played THIS Steelers team. 

5.Because They have Been There Before

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Players from the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after their 27-23 win against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by

Experience counts, and it will count a ton for a veteran Pittsburgh Steelers team. The New York Jets are a team filled with guys who have only sniffed the Super Bowl. 

The Steelers will embrace the moment and will show no fear. That’s usually the difference between getting to the Super Bowl, or watching it from home.

4.Because They Have Troy Polamalu

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks from the sidelines while playing against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by

You can talk all day about the edge at quarterback, the running game, or special teams, but the playoffs are about intangibles. It’s about special players making special plays. Troy Polamalu is that kind of player.

He’s has the ability to be around the ball and make big plays that can’t be matched by a player on either team. 

3.Because Dick LeBeau Is the Real Defensive Genius

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Ge

Every one lauds Rex Ryan for his defensive genius, but so many forget Dick Lebeau. It’s no fluke that the Steelers have a top five defense every year. He understands the weaknesses of his opponent and exploits those weaknesses.

He’ll be seeing the Jets for the second time. You can be sure he’ll give them something they haven’t seen before.

2.Because the Steelers Can Run the Ball

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Running back Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/G

In the playoffs, the winning team is the one which can move the ball on the ground. It’s usually the  blueprint to success.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a better running game than the Jets.

Add that to the reality that the Steelers won’t let either team run on them and you’re talking about a team that can control the clock.

Controlling the clock wins games and that’s how the Steelers will win. 

1.Because Big Ben Is the Best Clutch Quarterback in Football

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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 Nick L

Tom Brady might be the best quarterback in football, but the guy you want when the game is close is Ben Roethlisberger. No quarterback is better at making big plays.

Whether it’s the perfect pass to Santonio Holmes in the Super Bowl, or the bomb he threw against the Baltimore Ravens, Ben is the guy you want when the game is on the line.

He’s in a different league than Mark Sanchez. That's why the Steelers will be in Dallas.