New York Jets Defense Faces a Tough Challenge Against Ben Roethlisberger

In the past two weeks, the New York Jets were able to defeat Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time.

This weekend, however, the Jets face the tough task of trying to stop Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Big Ben does not have the career accolades that Brady or Manning have. Roethlisberger's one career Pro Bowl selection does not compare well to Brady's six or Manning's 11.

However, Roethlisberger does have the experience and wins to give the Jets a lot of concern. In his seven seasons with the Steelers, Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls and nearly 70 percent of his games as a starter.  

But what helps Roethlisberger stand out from Brady and Manning is not the number of wins and championships he has accumulated in his short career; instead, it's the immeasurable qualities that Roethlisberger brings to the game that sets him apart.  

Roethlisberger's ability to make something happen out of total chaos and confusion on the field is second to none in the league. Time after time during his career, Roethlisberger has found ways to beat defenses on broken down plays through avoiding sacks and scrambling to find open receivers down the field.

Dysfunction is something Roethlisberger adjusts to very well. 

This ability Roethlisberger has stems from the approach he takes to the game. Roethlisberger prepares for games with a serious approach, but does not try to achieve offensive perfection.  

In contrast, Manning expects his offense to perform like a well-oiled machine; Manning wants every part to run perfectly. Such demands have led to heated exchanges over the years with his teammates, such as Jeff Saturday and Reggie Wayne.  

With Brady, this serious mentality is not as strong, but it has been emerging over the past few years. During the early years of his career, Brady was often seen with a smile on his face, as to suggest that nothing seemed to phase him too much.  

However, Brady's success has led him to place greater demands on himself. This has allowed Brady to remain relevant, but it has harmed his ability to adjust to pressure.

Pressure is something that is at a higher level in the playoffs. This is certainly the case with respect to the defenses that teams will face in the playoffs.

The defenses that make it into the playoffs typically are among the best in the league. Therefore, they have a much greater ability to pressure the quarterback, fill the running lanes and disrupt the passing routes.  

This is something that the Jets defense has exhibited very well against the Colts and Patriots. Against the Colts, they held Manning's top target Reggie Wayne—who had 111 receptions and 1,355 yards in 2010—to just one catch for one yard.

Then against the Patriots, the Jets forced Brady into throwing an interception, his first in 12 games. In addition to this, the Jets recorded five sacks against Brady.

This type of pressure has the ability to frustrate those who place great demands on themselves and their teammates, as the despondent looks on Brady and Manning's faces showed during the game.

When things do not go their way, Brady and Manning have a greater tendency to become frustrated to the point that they are rendered ineffective.  

In the AFC Championship, the Jets will face a quarterback who seems less affected by what defenses present to him. Roethlisberger does not place great demands on himself or his teammates when it comes to performance.

Therefore, Roethlisberger is suited to handle the challenge that the Jets present this weekend.