New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: What Each Team Must Do in Order To Win

The New York Jets shocked the NFL world by defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, setting up an AFC Title game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh comes off a comeback win against the rival Baltimore Ravens and will be playing at home in the AFC Title game.

They will host a team that has already defeated the Steelers this season and continues to gain confidence after shutting down both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

This game is bound to be hard hitting, with plenty of stars on both sides of the ball.

Here is an early look at this years AFC Title game.

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Jets Running Game vs. Steelers Stingy Defense

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The biggest matchup in the AFC Title game will be the running game of the New York Jets against the dominant rushing defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

New York is at the championship game because they have run the ball effectively and has kept the opposing offenses off the field for a long period of time.

Their next challenge? A Steelers defense that is No. 1 in the league against the run.

Their defensive front and line backers against the Jets offensive line will be one great matchup.

The Jets rely on the running game for part of their success. Will the success continue in Pittsburgh or do they need to find other options?

Jets Defense Should Look Forward To Facing Weak Steelers Offensive Line

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by safety Haruki Nakamura #43 of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Jets defense has a few matchups that favor them as well. The biggest one for the Jets is the weak offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Battling with injuries since training camp, Pittsburgh has struggled at times of protecting Ben Roethlisberger.

This could fall into the Jets favor. Their ability to mix up blitzes and to play solid coverage against Pittsburgh is key as the defense of New York could apply pressure and not allow Pittsburgh to take any shots down the field.

Troy Polamalu Will Play This Time Around

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Safety Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with teammates James Farrior #51 and Troy Polamalu #43 after an interception of quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of the AFC Div

The biggest key for the Steelers in the AFC Title game could be the return of Troy Polamalu this time around.

Pittsburgh held out Polamalu in their loss to the Jets, as he rests from injury.

He may not be at 100 percent but certainly needs to be accounted for by the Jets defense. He has proved to create trouble for young quarterbacks, especially for ones like Mark Sanchez.

Look for Polamalu to have more of an impact this week than he did against the Ravens.

Santonio Holmes Looks To Get Last Laugh against His Old Team

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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' team is one win away from returning to the Super Bowl for the second time in the last three seasons.

He could do it against his former team. The trade where the Steelers traded Holmes off to New York was one of the biggest deals in the league, with Holmes being the true No. 1 receiver that was needed for Mark Sanchez.

Holmes can leave Pittsburgh with a smile by seeking revenge against his old team in route to the Super Bowl.

However, the Steelers Receivers Could Be Special as Well

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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.

Despite the loss of Santonio Holmes, the Steelers have found a great future at the wide receiver position.

Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown are all young receivers who can out run opposing secondaries and bail out Ben Roethlisberger plenty of times.

Let's also remember Hines Ward, who still plays at a high level for an aging receiver.

The speed of the Steelers receivers should bring an interesting challenge to the good secondary of the Jets.

Mark Sanchez Must Outshine Ben Roethlisberger If Jets Move On

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates after they 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 Jim Rogash/Getty I

If the New York Jets achieve their goal of moving on to the Super Bowl, it will depend on quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez is going to need to outplay Ben Roethlisberger to do it. The Steelers defense is going to limit the run game, putting the pressure on the second-year quarterback to carry this team.

Ben Roethlisberger is bound to be successful in this game. He is known for making the big play in the playoffs when it counts and will put pressure on the Jets to keep up.

If Mark Sanchez can play one of the best games of his career and lead the Jets past the Steelers, then New York deserves to move on to the Super Bowl.