NFL Playoffs 2011: 15 Bold Predictions For the AFC Title Tilt

Well, all that's left of the NFL season is championship games: two conference and one league. One thing is for certain, the Super Bowl will not feature a No. 1 seed. The Packers knocked off the Falcons in the NFC, and now the Jets have taken out the Patriots by a score of 28-21.

This sets up a clash in Pittsburgh between the New York Jets and the Steelers. The Steelers punched their ticket to the AFC Championship game by coming back from a 21-7 halftime deficit to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 31-24.

This game will be a rematch of a Week 15 contest in which the Jets went into Pittsburgh and edged out a 22-17 victory by outscoring Pittsburgh 5-0 in the fourth quarter.

Enough of the past, though; this is about the future. Read on to see what it holds for this game. 

Rex Ryan Will Get Slappy With His White Glove

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Imag

At this point, I am not sure this counts as a bold prediction, but during the course of the week, Rex Ryan is going to make this battle personal.

He will throw them a typical, Ryan-style, half-insult half-praise comment and then make it seem like he has to single-handedly stop them. He may even challenge them to a sumo match or a foot wrestling contest. 

Prediction: Rex Ryan will say something quote-worthy about Mike Tomlin and/or Ben Roethlisberger.

Nowhere To Run To, Baby

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

If you like teams that play some serious run defense, this is your game. The Steelers and Jets finished the year first and third, respectively, in rushing yards allowed.

The first matchup between these two, they actually combined to rush for 252 yards. In the intensity of the playoffs, that number will not be reached again.

Prediction: The combined rushing yards total will be less than 200 yards.

Big Ben Will Be Stripped

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets forces a fumble by Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Giants Stadium November 18, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Steelers 19-16 in overtim

There is no doubting Roethlisberger's ability to make plays as plays break down. The problem is, he makes them for both teams. He likes to pump fake and wait until the last second. This can lead to fumbles.

He lost a fumble last week against the Ravens and he fumbled twice in the previous meeting with the Jets. The Steelers were able to recover both of those. They won't be as lucky this time.

Prediction: Roethlisberger will lose at least one fumble.

Mark Sanchez Will Be Tested For Color Blindness

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets drops back against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Jets' Mark Sanchez has not thrown an INT in this postseason, but he has certainly missed his fair share of passes high.

Sanchez is coming off of a super-efficient game against the Patriots and he did not turn the ball over against the Steelers in Week 15.

Next week, however, the combination of the Steelers pass rush and their elimination of the Jets run game, will force Sanchez into some turnovers.

Prediction: Sanchez will throw at least two INTs.

Don’t Underestimate the Sneakiness

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DETROIT - FEBRUARY 05: Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El #82 throws a touchdown to wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Mic

The Steelers have never been afraid to pull out a trick play in a big game, or a regular-size game for that matter.

The Steelers are going to let Antwaan Randle El uncork a pass. With the Steelers offensive line woes, combined with the fact they are playing a stiff, blitzing defense, the Steelers will look for creative ways to generate points while slowing down the rush, and it's going to work. 

Prediction: Randle El is going to throw a touchdown.

LaDainian Tomlinson Will Find His Postseason Highlight

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 16: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers tries to escape the tackle of Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter on November 16, 2008 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won t

Tomlinson has had a shaky career in the postseason. He has failed to find the kind of postseason success that he has enjoyed in the regular season.

LT is currently having a solid postseason run and he is going to find his signature moment next week. While he may not have an amazing game, he is going to be amazing on one play.

Prediction: Tomlinson will catch or run for a 20-plus yard TD.

This Is Going to Be a Hands-On Contest

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 21: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with head coach Mike Tomlin after being ejected from the game for fighting against the New York Giants during their preseason game at New Meadowlands Stadium on August 21, 2

These are two intense, in your face, hard hitting teams that are playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl. At some point tempers, are going to boil over.

Maybe with a Hines Ward extracurricular block or with Braylon Edwards taking exception to the Steelers physical play, at some point, this football game will resemble a hockey contest.

Prediction: Both teams will have a player ejected for throwing a punch.

Jets D Gets Its Sack On

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: David Harris #52 of the New York Jets sacks Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Giants Stadium November 18, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Jets love to blitz, but they aren't exceptionally proficient at sacking the QB. The Steelers, however, are amazing at letting teams sack their QB. The Steelers bring a league-worst sacks-allowed percentage into this game.

Against the Ravens, Roethliberger was sacked six times. In the Week 15 meeting between these two, Big Ben went down three times. The Jets are going to beat both those numbers next Sunday.

Prediction: Jets tally seven sacks.

Pittsburgh's D Will Get Offensive

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers returns an interception 40 yards for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, P

Pittsburgh keeps the pressure on opposing QBs all game. As a result, they create a lot of turnovers and they know what to do with the ball when they get it.

The Jets avoided the turnovers in the Week 15 matchup, but they will not be as fortunate in this one and it will cost them six.

Prediction: Pittsburgh's defense will score a touchdown.

Santonio’s Revenge

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates with fans after the Jets defeated the Patriots 28 to 21 in their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

Santonio Holmes has had a solid first season with the Jets and he has carried that into the postseason. Not that anyone needs extra motivation in a conference championship game, but Holmes has it.

He is going to be anxious to prove to the Steelers they were foolish to let him go and with the Steelers main focus being to limit Braylon Edwards, Holmes will do just that.

Prediction: Holmes will give the Jets the lead with a 20-plus yard TD reception.

Off to a Flying Start

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets and Wayne Hunter #78 celebrate on their way to defeating the New England Patriots 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stad

The Jets are going to come out fired up and attacking. Their defense is going to give their offense great starting field position and will likely even get them a turnover.

The Steelers defense will do it's best to keep the Steelers close early, but they won't be able to keep the Jets out of the end zone.

Prediction: Jets will take a 10-3 lead into halftime.

The Legend Of Ben

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates the game winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pi

Roethlisberger is at his best when the stakes are the highest. I don't just mean in the biggest games, either. I am talking about in the closing moments of the biggest games.

Roethlisberger can be ineffective the whole game and then the game nears its end and the playbook flies out the window.

Prediction: Roethlisberger will lead the Steelers to a TD with less than two minutes to go.

60 Minutes Is Not Enough

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: NCAA referee Greg Burks sets for the coin toss before the Northwestern Wildcats play against the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Jets and Steelers are going to be the lucky first participants to test the new NFL Playoff overtime rule. This year, in the playoffs, both teams are guaranteed a possession.

The Steelers late TD is going to tie the game and they will win the coin flip. Roethlisberger will keep the momentum going from his game-tying drive and move his team in position for the go ahead field goal. 

Prediction: Steelers will kick a field goal on opening OT possession.

And The Winner Is...

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 18: Ouarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets walks off the field dejected after failing to convert on third down in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands on October 18, 2009 in East

The Jets will get the ball and drive it to midfield, hoping to be the first ever NFL team to score a come-from-behind OT victory.

They will not get any further than that. Sanchez is going to be picked off an a failed third-and-long attempt.

Prediction: Steelers win 23-20.

James Harrison You Just Won The Championship Game...

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Ben Roethlisberger #7 and James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers go through their pregame ritual prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

James Harrison's pocket book had a rough season. He is going to earn himself some of that money back next Sunday.

Last week, Harrison had three sacks. Against the Jets in Week 15, he had 10 tackles and one for a loss. He is going to beat those numbers on Sunday.

Harrison is going to take up residence in the Jets backfield. He is going to cause a fumble and make at least four tackles on the Jets side of the line of scrimmage.

Prediction: James Harrison will be the AFC Championship game MVP.