New York Jets: Why Mark Sanchez Will Stumble vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers

Championship Sunday is almost here. I can hardly wait. A solid eight hours of intense fight-for-the-Super-Bowl football. Nothing could go wrong.

Unless, of course, your name is Mark Sanchez. He faces the unenviable task of facing the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. It is an experience he has been through before, but playoff football is a different animal.

Any way I envision this one, it ends with Sanchez having a rough day. Read on to see why.

No. 10: Nowhere To Run To...Nowhere To Hide

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

For two years, Mark Sanchez has enjoyed being the quarterback of a team that can run the football. This makes any QB's job easier. They can work off play-actions, keep the defense off-balance and avoid obvious passing situations.

In the teams first meeting this season, the Jets ran for 106 yards at 3.9 yards a carry. Both are well below their average and both are a best-case scenario when playing the Steelers' historically awesome rush defense.

No. 9: Steelers Hit The Sack

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo b

In 2010, the Jets only surrendered sacks on 4.75 percent of their pass attempts. That is seventh-best in the league.

Pittsburgh sacked opposing QBs on 7.8 percent of their pass attempts. That was fifth-best in the league.

In the Jets victory over the Steelers, Sanchez was only sacked once.

The Steelers are going to make knocking Sanchez to the ground a priority. He is going to be under pressure all game.

No. 8: Out Of The Zone

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates a second quarter touchdown during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo

Without a running game and the protection he is used to, Sanchez is going to be forced well outside of his comfort zone.

It is easy to forget that this is only his second year in the league. While he has shown poise beyond his years, the Steelers demonstrated what they can do to young poised QBs last week.

The Steelers forced Joe Flacco out of his comfort zone and into bad decisions, turnovers and a QB rating of 61.1.

No. 7: The Pilgrimage To Troy

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball after catching an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerh

Mark Sanchez may have experience against the Steelers, but not really. Troy Polamalu did not play when these two teams met in Week 15. Anyone who knows the Steelers knows they are a different defense when he is on the field.

The Steelers have the best safety combo in the league. They move them all over the place and it makes their defense unpredictable and explosive. This will lead to at least a few moments of confusion from the young Sanchez.

No. 6: Wild Thing

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Safety Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers returns an interception as he is hit by tight end Benjamin Watson #82 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt

Sanchez has a tendency to let his passes sail on him. He has thrown one interception in this postseason and frankly, it is luck he has not thrown more.

He has shown that when pressured he can give up picks in bunches. The Steelers have a nose for the ball and they are not going to let many of his errant passes hit the ground.

No. 5: Second Fiddle

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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

This is going to be a defensive battle. At some point, it is going to come down to the QB making big plays. Is there anyone better at pulling big plays out of their posterior than Ben Roethlisberger?

Sanchez is going to watch been work some magic and feel pressured to do the same thing to get his team rolling. This is not Mark Sanchez's game. The results will not be pretty.

No. 4: I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots with Braylon Edwards #17 during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in

Sanchez is surrounded by talent. We already touched on the Steelers ability to take away his running game, but they also have the ability to take away aspects of the passing game.

Sanchez relies on his receivers to make plays for him. Braylon Edwards is a big outside target and he can go up and get passes. 

The Steelers do not have great corners, but their team defense led to them having the fourth ranked DVOA against No. 1 receivers and third ranked against No. 2's.

No. 3: False Sense Of Security

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets scores a second quarter touchdown as Devin McCourty #32 and Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots attempt to tackle during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette

The Jets are rolling, but they have had favorable matchups. Neither the Colts or the Patriots are anywhere near an elite defense. The Jets were able to dictate the game by the dominance of their defense and then let the Jets offense wear them down.

Sanchez is going to face a major jump in defensive quality. It will be hard for that not to be a shock to the system. Any confidence he has built in the last two weeks will quickly evaporate.

No. 2: Harrison > Sanchez

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G

James Harrison just might be the best defensive player in the league and he is at his best when the stakes are at their biggest. Last week he had three sacks on Joe Flacco. In Week 15 against the Jets, he had 10 tackles and one for a loss.

Sanchez is not going to have a good game against the Steelers, because James Harrison is not going to allow. The good news for Sanchez is, he may not remember it.

No. 1: OVER--RATED

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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

This one is simple. Mark Sanchez is overrated. The Jets hide him behind a good offensive line, great running game and a superior defense. He is not asked to win games.

You put any below average QB in against the Steelers and they are going to struggle. Sanchez is simply too inconsistent and inexperienced to go into Pittsburgh and have a good day in the AFC Championship game.