AFC Championship 2011: 25 Can't Miss Predictions for Jets Vs. Steelers
The teams have been decided for the AFC Championship Game, and it's likely not the teams that were expected. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Ravens to make it in the game, and the Jets pulled off the upset over the Patriots to make it into the game.
The Jets and Steelers have met each other once before this season. In week 15, the Jets beat the Steelers 22-7, marking the last time that the Steelers have lost a game. The win was also the Jets' lone victory in a four-game stretch and helped keep them in the playoff picture.
Now, they meet a second time, as the Steelers look for revenge and both sides look for a Super Bowl appearance. What could happen in this game? Sure, sparks will fly and it will be aggressive, but what else?
Here are 25 can't miss predictions for the AFC Championship Game.
Ben Roethlisberger Will Be the Superior Quarterback
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Whether you like him or hate him, Ben Roethlisberger is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He's not on Brady's level, but you could certainly to lump him with Manning and Rivers. He has nearly the same number of yards, a much better completion percentage, more touchdowns, and way fewer picks than Sanchez.
While their stats may not reflect directly how they have performed all season, it will be close to it, and Ben will come away with the better performance.
Rashard Mendenhall Will Not Break 100 Yards
2 of 25
Rashard Mendenhall had 20 carries for 46 yards against a tough Ravens defense, which is fifth in the league. The Jets are no slouch in the rushing department either, though, and in fact, have been even better than the Ravens' D, finishing third in the league. Mendenhall could break 50, but don't expect him to get close to 100 yards.
Mike Wallace Will Make One Long Catch
3 of 25
Mike Wallace has quietly emerged as one of the best deep threats in the league. Wallace finished the league fifth in receiving yards with 10 touchdowns, but perhaps more importantly, averaged over 20 yards per reception, and if anybody's going to make a big play against the Jets, it's going to be Wallace.
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No Encore for Antonio Brown
4 of 25
Antonio Brown had a rookie year for Pittsburgh that was no big deal, 16 catches for 167 yards. His three catches for 75 yards against the Ravens, however, meant a big deal to Pittsburgh as it kept the momentum a good deal of the game. While that's not going to happen again, that's how Steeler legacies start; two years from now, he could be the next big wideout for the Steelers.
LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene Will Both Be Stopped
5 of 25
In the playoff match against Indianapolis, LT and Shonn Greene combined for 152 yards. Against New England, they combined for 119 yards. Against the best rushing defense in the league, and the best defense period, for that matter, are they really going to get near those totals? Certainly not; 75 combined yards is more realistic, and frankly a bit optimistic.
Santonio Holmes Will Have a Field Day
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It sounds strange to say a receiver will do great while a quarterback won't, but if any Jets offensive talent is going to step up, it's the former Steeler himself, Santonio Holmes.
Holmes played well, albeit not spectacularly, with the Jets this year, amassing 746 reeiving yards. It's the clutch factor he brings to the Jets that makes him worthwhile though, and he's going to do whatever he can to have a big game against his former team. He had six receptions for 40 yards the first time, and he'll do better the second time.
Braylon Edwards, However, Won't
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Ironically, Edwards' only 100-yard game this season came against the Steelers. You can bet that Polamalu and company won't let that happen a second time. The Steelers' secondary will keep a close eye on him, and as a result, Mark Sanchez will have to look for another target, such as Holmes.
Mark Sanchez Won't Throw Often, But Will Be Effective
8 of 25
Mark Sanchez won't have a great game, but he won't have a bad one either. In a win against Pittsburgh, he completed 19 of 29 passes for 170 yards, no touchdowns, no picks. Nothing special, but enough to get the win. His attempts and completions will be similar, but a touchdown and possibly an interception will find their way in there.
Pittsburgh's Defensive MVP: Troy Polamalu
9 of 25
Troy Polamalu only had two tackles in the win against Baltimore, but he's never a guy you can underestimate. He's going to keep a close eye on the ball all game long, and while he may not make an interception, anyone he's covering is not going to see much of the pigskin.
New York's Defensive MVP: Bart Scott
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Bart Scott made headlines this past weekend for his comments towards Wes Welker. Now, he finds himself in the AFC Championship Game, and he will make an impact, pressuring Roethlisberger and keeping Mendenhall in check.
The Whole Pittsburgh Secondary Will Be Effective
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While Troy Polamalu will be the one making headlines when it's all said and done, you can't forget about the other members of the secondary. Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark both have two regular-season picks, but have been able to keep defenses down when needed, and both will show up in this game.
Darrelle Revis Will Quietly Shut Down His Assignment
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Darrelle Revis defines the term shutdown corner, and he'll prove this again tonight. Ben Roethlisberger will keep the ball out of Revis' hands, and by extension, he'll have what looks like another quiet game. Those that have watched the Jets play this year know better, though, and they know that quarterbacks know not to throw to him.
James Farrior Will Lead Pittsburgh in Tackles
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The Jets' gameplan is going to be to outsmart Lawrence Timmons and James Harrison on the front seven, most likely. It's a good plan, but the end result will be the 35-year old Farrior having a great game. He's second on the team in tackles, and will prove why he is on Sunday, as he will be all over the place.
The Jets' Front Seven Will Be Streaky
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The Jets have a solid front seven, led by Bart Scott and David Harris, among others. They will have a few great drives that makes their defense look as good as Pittsburgh's, but just as often, they will have drives where they don't seem to mesh all that well as they try to figure out the Steeler offense.
Shaun Suisham Will Miss a Field Goal
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After the release of Jeff Reed, Suisham has been surprisingly very effective for Pittsburgh. He made 14 of 15 field goals in the regular season, and one would think he would be great against the Jets.
All good things must come to an end, though, as David Akers proved in the Philadelphia playoff game. He made one of two field goals against Baltimore, and he will have another imperfect game in Pittsburgh.
Brad Smith Will Resume Return Duties, Albeit Not Well
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Brad Smith ended up not returning kicks and punts against New England; he wanted to play, but Rex Ryan chose to sit him out due to injury. Now, he's ready to get back on the field, and wants to have a great game on special teams. Unfortunately for him, that won't happen; the Steelers' special teams group will see to that.
The Game Will Be Low-Scoring
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Perhaps surprisingly given the Baltimore-Pittsburgh matchup, I fully expect this matchup to be a war of attrition. The Jets' defense will dig their heels in, and Pittsburgh's defense will make sure they won't allow 24 points again like they did last week.
The Terrible Towels Will Be Out in Force
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You know this will be all over the stadium as the two teams meet up on Sunday. I'll be the first to admit I don't know all that much about the towel, but it's huge in Pittsburgh, and fans are going to hold on to it throughout this game.
Rex Ryan Will Say Him Vs. Ben Roethlisberger Is
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In a news conference earlier today, Rex Ryan made no mention of anything being personal, unlike what he said about Peyton Manning two weeks earlier and Bill Belichick last week. He says there's nothing personal now, but expect that to change. After all, it's worked pretty well for the Jets so far.
Pittsburgh Won't Let Any Attacks of the Jets Happen
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Last week, Wes Welker's press conference was one of many verbal spars between the Jets and the Patriots. I doubt anyone is expecting the Steelers to do something like that, but if they are, then they're sorely mistaken. It's all business for them in the AFC Championship game, and if the Jets say anything, they'll shrug it off.
The Steelers Will Have the Psychological Advantage
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Going into this game, Pittsburgh beat Baltimore, as they expected to, and now wait for the final game en route to a Super Bowl. The Jets narrowly beat the Colts and upset the Patriots to get here, both times having rather volatile weeks beforehand. The Steelers' mindset will be calmer between the two, and at least at the start of the game, this will be evident.
At Least One Jets Player Will Say Something Crazy
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While Rex Ryan seems to be buttoning his lips, at least for now, I see at least something happening between now and Sunday. Already Bart Scott has begun talking, mouthing off on the Patriots after the win. I certainly see him if no one else talking smack against the Steelers and getting the Jets pumped up.
Everyone Will Be Predicting a Comfortable Steelers Win
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Last week, pretty much everyone had the Patriots winning by a fairly big margin. I broke the mold by having the margin be small. We were wrong anyway, as the Jets got the upset win. This week, most sporting experts on ESPN and elsewhere will have the Steelers winning comfortably, making them look like the clearly superior team heading into Sunday's game.
The Jets Will Have One More Pregame Trick Up Their Sleeve
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Last week, the Jets brought in Dennis Byrd to give the team an inspirational speech on Saturday. This no doubt helped them emotionally and led the Jets to victory. What will they do this week to get the team pumped up? Certainly they will do something, but I have no idea as to what.
The Jets Will Get the Upset Win
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Okay, part of this is because as a Cleveland native, I can't pick the Steelers winning. Most of it, however, is that the Jets have proven themselves to be a great team despite all the underdog claims. They beat the Colts and Patriots when few thought they could, and they'll ride that momentum to the Super Bowl.
Could they win the Super Bowl? That I doubt, but that's a question for another time.
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