Jets vs. Steelers: 10 Bold Predictions for This Sunday's AFC Championship Game

Sunday's AFC Championship game will be a rematch of a week 15 matchup between the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. New York won the week 15 matchup, but as the old saying goes "that was then this is now". Pittsburgh will look to defend their home turf and add another Superbowl appearance to an already impressive resume of excellance. New York meanwhile will try to make their first of what Rex Ryan hopes will be many upcoming Superbowl appearances. The game will feature two of the leagues stingiest defenses and will also be a battle of wills between two mentally tough teams. I like many can't wait until Sunday to watch this game play out, but until then I will offer up 10 predictions about the game to hold us over in the meantime.

1.Troy Polamalu will force a turnover

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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

 Polamalu missed the first matchup between these two teams on December 19 with an Achilles Tendon injury. His absence was huge as Braylon Edwards racked up 100 receiving yards and Mark Sanchez had a rushing touchdown late in the 3^rd quarter. It is widely accepted that Troy is the anchor and captain of the Steelers defense and I expect his return to be a huge storyline to watch in the rematch. Polamalu has recorded seven interceptions thus far this season and I wouldn’t be shocked if he comes away with number eight on Sunday night.

2.The Jets Will Rely on Their Ground Game

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo by

 Mark Sanchez had a fantastic performance in last Saturday’s divisional matchup against New England throwing 25 times for 189 yards and three touchdowns. I don’t expect a repeat performance this Sunday rather I expect the Jets to rely on the rushing attack of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. This game will be played between the crosshairs and I don’t expect the Jets to air the ball all over the field especially considering there will probably be inclement weather conditions on Sunday night.

3. Neither Team Will Score More Than 21 Points

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: LaMarr Woodley #56 and Bryant McFadden #20 pursue while Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles Robert Meachem #17 of the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The

The Jets and Steelers both have built their reputation on being stingy on defense. The number of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball for both of these two teams is staggering: Troy Polamalu, Darrelle Revis, Lamar Woodley, Antonio Cromartie, Ike Taylor, Bart Scott etc etc. I don’t expect these units to give up too many big plays and subsequently points should not come easily. Two of the more important players in the game just might be place kickers Nick Folk and Shaun Suisham.

4. Brad Smith Will Make His Presence Felt

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets gestures as he lines up in the wildcat formation at quarterback against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indi

The former Missouri quarterback has settled into a solid role on this New York Jets team. Smith is used at quarterback in the Jets “Wildcat” package and also returns punts and kickoffs. Pittsburgh fans may recall that Brad Smith returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown during these two teams first meeting. Brad Smith’s name sometimes gets lost in the shuffle amongst personalities such as Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez and Bart Scott but he is definitely a player to take notice of. I’m aware that he was inactive against New England because of a groin injury, but I expect him to play on Sunday against Pittsburgh and have an impact.

5. Ben Roethlisberger Will Throw His First Interception Since Week 13

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregor

“Big Ben” threw it 44 times in the teams’ first matchup so clearly Head Coach Mike Tomlin has no reservations about putting Roethlisberger in control. I think that the Jets talented cornerback tandem of Cromartie and Revis will snatch one away from Ben this week if he throws it up that much, especially with Rex Ryan cooking up some good blitz packages. Despite all the kind rhetoric the Jets have preached this week about respecting Ben, I think they are going to come after him on Sunday and force him into a mistake.

6. The Terrible Towels Won’t Rattle the Jets

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 25: Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers wave their yellow towels during the NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field on October 25, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Vikings 27-17. (Photo by Rick St

New York has already dealt with raucous home crowds at Lucas Oil Stadium and Gillette Stadium this postseason. Yes, I know just how passionate and diligent the Steelers faithful are in waving those damn yellow towels around (the Cincinnati Bengals fan in me coming out), but after going on the road for the first two rounds I don’t expect the Jets to get shaken up. I realize that Mark Sanchez is only in his second year in the league, but Sunday’s game will be the sixth playoff start for the “Sanchize”. Mark has already played at Pittsburgh once this year so he should be somewhat prepared for the home crowd at Heinz field.

7. Mike Wallace Will Be Held in Check

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to break a tackle after catching a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerh

The second year speedster out of Ole Miss got loose in their first meeting and racked up 102 receiving yards. That game was just one of many great performances by Wallace in a season where he has caught ten touchdown passes and accumulated 1,257 receiving yards. Mike has clearly asserted himself as the homerun threat in Pittsburgh’s offense and the second year wide receiver’s star is on the rise in the Steel City. Unfortunately for Mike, Baltimore honed in on Wallace tight last week and limited him to 20 receiving yards on three catches. I expect the Jets to follow the Ravens’ blueprint and keep a close eye on Wallace during Sunday’s game. Steelers’ fans should expect Mike to meet up with Darrelle Revis on many occasions throughout the ballgame. I wouldn’t expect an encore of Mike’s 102 yard week 15 performance.

8. The Jets Will Keep Things Simple for Sanchez

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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)

Mark Sanchez completed 64% of his passes against New England last week and looked masterful in running the Jets offense. The offensive game plan is something to take note off though; New York set things up by handing the ball off to LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene 27 times. Sanchez then threw manageable passes to the running backs and tight end Dustin Keller. Only later in the game did Mark Sanchez connect on a big play with Jericho Cotchery. I expect the Jets to utilize the same strategy this week against Pittsburgh. Look for New York to try to establish the running game early and then put Sanchez in manageable situations.

9. The Steelers Will Give Up Fewer Yards Than the 276 They Gave Up in Their Firs

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 16: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers scores a first quarter touchdown while taking a hit from Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter on November 16, 2008 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh,

Pittsburgh only gave up an average of 214 yards per game during the regular season and as I mentioned earlier the Jets game was one of only two games that Troy Polamalu didn’t play in.  I think Polamalu’s presence along with the fact that defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is getting a second crack at this Jets offense bodes well for Pittsburgh. Once again weather conditions may be dicey at best on Heinz field on Sunday which is another advantage for the Steelers defense.

10. Pittsburgh Will Win the Game and Take Home the AFC Championship

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Sha

Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez knocked on the Superbowl door last season only to be upended by Peyton Manning and the Colts. Unfortunately, I think Rex and the Jets will once again fall short of the big game this season. Pittsburgh is ultimately too tough at Heinz field and I expect Pittsburgh to win what will be a thrilling AFC Championship matchup 17-10.