NFL Playoffs: 5 Reasons The Pittsburgh Steelers Will Beat The New York Jets

As the AFC Championship game approaches, we are forced to look at the hard facts of the matchup.

We have two super tough defenses that want to crush the other team’s offense.  Both offenses aren’t the best but have found ways to win.

The strength of both teams lie in their defenses.

The two teams are ready to battle to the finish and it will be a great game to watch.

I feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers will win, and the following slideshow shows the top 5 reasons why the Steel Curtain stops the Jets.

Enjoy!

Final Score: Steelers 26- Jets 24

Steelers Receiving Corps

Karl Walter/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Mike Wallace and Hines Ward will have to play some of the best football they ever have if they want to topple the red hot Jets.

The Jets' pass defense wasn’t as good this year, but the duo of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie is a dangerous one.

When the duo wants to play hard, there may not be a better pair of corners in the NFL.

The problem with the Jets corners is that there are questions surrounding Revis' health and in turn, speed.

The Jets have come out and said Revis will cover Hines Ward so that means Cromartie will take on Mike Wallace.

Mike Wallace can beat anyone in the league, but Cromartie is a tough corner. Wallace had 10 touchdowns and 26 catches for 20+ yards so something has to give in the matchup against Cromartie.

I think Ward's day will be tougher being covered by Revis in the slot.

Revis won’t have to run as fast and will have the help of the linebacking group.

I don’t care what the players say, they all keep their heads on a swivel when playing the Jets and coming over the middle.

Look for Ward to have a solid game but Wallace will have at least two big catches.

Pass Defense

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to tackle Tim Hightower #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by St

The first key to a Steelers victory will be the receiving corps.

If you told me at the beginning of the season that the Steelers pass defense wouldn’t be in the top ten, I would’ve spit at you.

They’re not far from top ten (12th) in pass defense, but it’s the time missed by Troy Polamalu that worries me.

Polamalu is still ailing from an achilles tendon injury he suffered, and it very well might linger into Sunday's game.

Polamalu may be the difference maker, but there are a lot of players who have kept the secondary solid in Troy's absences.

The secondary has played pretty well all things considered, as they rank 5th in interceptions (21) and have allowed the third fewest passing touchdowns (15).

The stat that worries me is the fact that they were in the middle of the pack in defending against big pass plays of 40+ yards.

With Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, the Jets need to try to exploit the secondary if they have any chance of winning.

I don’t think they will, so expect the Jets to head home early.

Can't Wait!

Offensive Line

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Chris Kemoeatu #68, Maurkice Pouncey #53, Ramon Foster #73 and Flozell Adams #71 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

This could be the biggest key of the whole game, depending on what scheme the Jets employ for Big Ben.

If the Jets blitz like they have before against the likes of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, then the Pittsburgh offensive line will get rolled over.

If the Jets don't bring the blitz as much and use more defensive backs in coverage, then the offensive line will give Ben enough time to make plays.

The offensive line is comprised of young players and spot starters and has not performed well this year.

If it weren’t for Ben's athleticism and strength his sack totals would be three times what they were in the games he started.

However the Jets attack the offensive line of the Steelers, it will be interesting to see how the line holds up.

Run Defense

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Troy Polamalu #43, James Farrior #51, Ike Tayloer #24, Aaron Smith #91, Bryant McFadden #20 and Deshea Townsend #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers get into position on defense against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLI

When you play the Jets, the key to beating their offense is making Mark Sanchez beat you.

Sanchez is a good young quarterback, but when all the pressure is on him, he tends to not play as well.

The Pittsburgh Steelers may add another piece to their run stopping defense back this weekend if veteran defensive lineman Aaron Smith can suit up and play.

Smith will add to the league’s best rush defense.

The Steelers rush defense led the league in sacks (48), rushing yards per game allowed (62.8 ypg), and only allowed one run of more than 20 yards.

The rush defense this year was, far and away, the league's best, and if the Jets want to beat the Steelers, it will have to be through the air.

Sanchez better bring his game face.

Big Ben

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers signals against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo

Big Ben is the ultimate X-factor.

The man has won two super bowls (HE won one really though, look it up) and has 26 fourth quarter or overtime comeback victories.

It seems like he doesn’t play well until the game is on the line.

Even missing the first four games of the season hasn’t kept this postseason behemoth from trudging forward again.

Ben is one of the strongest quarterbacks in the pocket, but still has an amazing mobility for breaking tackles or gaining three tough yards.

You can’t question the man’s toughness, and if you put him in Heinz Field in the cold and under pressure, and you better believe you’ll get Big Ben's best.

If Ben can keep himself upright long enough to make clear, concise passes then his Steelers will be on their way to the Super Bowl.