Super Bowl Bound: 6 Reasons Why the New York Jets Are Headed to Dallas

The New York Jets advance to the AFC Championship Game after stunning the New England Patriots. They now face the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Does Gang Green have another upset in them? Read on to find out.

Mark Sanchez

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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

The oft-maligned QB boasts a 4-1 record in postseason play, impressive given that each game was played away from the friendly confines of the Meadowlands. He looks erratic at times but generates enough offense to give the Jets a chance.

If he can do that against the second-ranked Steelers defense, the coaching staff should be pleased.

LaDainian Tomlinson/Shonn Greene

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs down field against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty

L.T. and Shonn Greene lead a rushing attack that was fourth-best in the NFL at 148.4 ypg. The Steelers have the stingiest defense against the run, surrendering just over 60 yards per contest.

Something has to give.

In their Week 15 matchup, L.T. and Greene combined for 89 yards in a 22-17 Jets victory. If the duo can keep the Steel Curtain at bay by gaining yards and moving the chains, Sanchez will have an easier time under center. Otherwise, the Steelers will tee off against Sanchez, making it a long night for the Jets.

Judging by L.T.'s postgame interview, he won't let that happen. The man is hungry for a Super Bowl ring and nothing, not even the Steeler D, is going to stop him.

Braylon Edwards/Santonio Holmes

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 and Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets 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 Gillet

After former Jet Dennis Byrd delivered a motivational speech, Edwards tweeted, "I just heard the most inspirational message of my life from former Jet Dennis Byrd." In a follow-up, Edwards tweeted, "As God is my witness, I have never been more ready to perform in my life. Dennis Byrd, I respect, salute and honor you."

Edwards made good on his words with two big catches, one for a TD. If he is similarly motivated against the Steelers, the Michigan product will help open up the rest of the offense, including for his Ohio State counterpart, Santonio Holmes.

Holmes will have motivation on Sunday given that he's facing his former team. After being traded away to the Jets for a fifth-round pick, the former first-rounder Holmes will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.

Will he make another spectacular catch in the back of the end zone as he did in the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals and just yesterday against the Patriots? For Steelers fans, the irony would be sickening.

Defense

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets tackles Wes Welker #83 of 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 Imag

The Jets defense stymied Tom Brady and the Patriots by doing "stuff I’ve never seen a football team do." Credit DL Trevor Pryce with the quote.

It certainly looked that way. Brady looked confused and was sacked five times. The Patriots were never able to develop any kind of rhythm.

Pittsburgh has a solid offense, though not nearly on the same level as Indianapolis and New England. If the Jets develop a good game plan and play the way they have the past couple weeks, the Steelers will struggle to move the ball.

Rex Ryan

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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 the beginning of the playoffs, Ryan said that his team was going to win the Super Bowl. Most people didn't buy the talk, but after dispatching Indianapolis and New England (beating Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the process), he has walked the walk as well.

If he puts his best foot forward and produces another creative game plan, the Dallas dream will become reality.

At this point, is anyone going to bet against him?

Intangibles

The video says it all. The locker room attitude instilled by Ryan is contagious. They are a team on a mission, out to prove any and all doubters wrong.

If they beat the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger, they will have beaten Manning-Brady-Roethlisberger in succession, the only QBs in the AFC with Super Bowl rings. I'm not sure if this has ever been accomplished but this will further motivate the J-E-T-S.

The humorous "Return of the Jet-I" poster also fostered the us vs. all mentality. Will the Jets truly return and bring home a Super Bowl title, the first since 1968?

At this point, it seems like only the Jets can stop themselves. They look like a team of destiny.