Mark Sanchez: Why His Luck Will Run Out Against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Mark Sanchez surprised everyone with his solid play against the Patriots. He’s the helter skelter QB who can move a team up and down the field, or he can give it away.

While his postseason has been memorable, it’s about to take a sour turn Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are too much for this inconsistent quarterback.

Sunday in Pittsburgh, Mark Sanchez will finally have his luck run out, and here’s why. 

10. He’s No Tom Brady

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls out signals during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Sure, Tom Brady will be watching the conference game from home, but it’s not because of Sanchez. Give the Jet’s defense all the credit for that.

The only quarterback known to own the Steelers is Tom Brady. Sanchez is no Brady. The Steelers won’t fear Sanchez and they shouldn’t. 

9. He Was Unimpressive in Week 15

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets is rushed by LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Yes, the Jets got the win, but again, it wasn’t Sanchez. He was 19-29 and threw for a whopping 170 yards and no TD’s.

The Steelers won’t let the Jets run all over them so Sanchez will have to win it with his arm. 

That’s not likely to happen in a big spot.  

8. He Didn’t Face Troy

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty

Sanchez wasn’t effective against a Steelers defense that didn’t have Troy Polamalu. What makes anyone think he’ll be better now that Polamalu is healthy?

There isn’t a better to the ball player than the Steelers safety. If Sanchez even thinks of making a mistake, Troy will punish him.

7. Too Error Prone

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Kelvin Hayden #26 of the Indianapolis Colts intercepts a pass thrown by quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets in the fourth quarter during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indiana

Sanchez didn’t lead the NFL in INT’s but he didn’t lead them in TD’s either. So while he only threw 13 picks, it’s almost as many TD’s as he threw.

He can’t make mistakes against the Steelers, but Sanchez is show that’s when he makes a big play he’s almost 50/50 to make it for the wrong team. 

6. Too Much Pressure

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates after a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Mass

Sanchez took 27 sacks in the regular season. The Steelers dished out 48 sacks this season. Dick LeBeau is a great coordinator and he’ll be sure to throw the kitchen sink at Sanchez.

It’s doubtful he’ll handle the pressure. 

5. Inaccurate Passer

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets passes 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)

While Sanchez has upped his completion percentage during the playoffs, the truth is that you are what your career average is.

For Sanchez’s career he’s got a 54 percent completion percentage. If he sniffs anything like that Sunday, he’ll be watching the Super Bowl from home. 

4. Big Ben Will Be Better

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

While it might not be head to head competition, it could come down to quarterback play.

Not only has Ben Roethlisberger come up big in the clutch before, but he’s the games best in big moment. If both teams need big plays down the stretch, bet on Ben to make it happen. 

3. Sanchez isn’t A Clutch Player

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets fumbles the ball after being sacked by Gerard Warren #92 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, Ne

Being fair and removing Ben from the equation, you are not looking at a clutch player. For his career his completion percentage drops to 48 percent in the fourth quarter.

He’s a bad second half quarterback and the Jets will hope that he doesn’t have to win it for him. 

2. No Short Field

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/

Sanchez’s best bet to beat the Steelers is to work with a short field. The best way to do that is to create turnovers.

Bad news: the Steelers ranked third in the conference in turnovers. They don’t make mistakes and that should kill the Jets ability to put points on the board. 

1.The Steelers are Just Better

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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

You can pretty up the argument anyway you like. The truth is the Steelers do everything just a bit better than the Jets.

Sanchez will continue to build his resume, he’ll just have to end it with another conference championship loss.