Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 Reasons The Steelers Could Fall to the New York Jets

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be favored in today's AFC Championship, but their opponent isn't your typical underdog.

The New York Jets beat the Steelers 22-17 on Dec. 19, and are entering today's game with plenty of momentum and fanfare.

This is the same team that was in the spotlight before the season with "Hard Knocks" and back in the headlines after getting demolished by New England.

But now the Jets have knocked off both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the playoffs, and are in their second straight conference championship game.

"I want it to be loud from start to finish," Steelers receiver Mike Wallace told the team's website.

"Last week I sat back and saw the towels. It was amazing. That is the first time I really realized how special Heinz Field is."

Pittsburgh staged a dramatic comeback last week to beat the Ravens, but now face a Jets team that has won close games all year long. They may have home-field advantage, but stack both these teams up and it's extremely even.

So who will prevail?

Here are 10 reasons the Jets may come away winners today.

10. Already Played

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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)

It would be one thing if the Jets and Steelers played in their season opener, but their last game was barely a month ago.

There will be plenty of familiarity there, but the Jets have definitely gained plenty of confidence since then.

"All teams grow and change a little bit over the course of the journey, but that game wasn’t all that long ago and many of the major components are still in place," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

9. Unstoppable Momentum

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on near the end of their 28 to 21 loss to the New York Jets in their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

It happens in every sport: Sometimes the best team is the one that gets hot at just the right time.

New York fits the description, and their momentum may be unstoppable after taking down both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on the road.

Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com pointed out that the Jets defense didn't blitz as much against Manning and Brady, and may be able to stick with its dropback coverage against Ben Roethlisberger.

"Why mess with a good thing?" Cimini writes. "Roethlisberger presents a different set of problems because of his ability to extend plays outside the pocket, but the coverage-based approach also should be effective against Big Ben.

"In straight man-to-man, the defenders' backs are turned to the quarterback—not ideal against Roethlisberger. Don't be surprised if they deploy a "spy" in certain third-down situations."

8. Much-Needed Reality Check

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Imag

If this run keeps up, the Jets may look back and say their losses to New England and Miami were the best things that could happen to them.

It seems like it's helped them refocus and realize they'll have to earn everything and that they're not entitled to anything.

After those two losses, New York bounced back to beat Pittsburgh, and while they lost to Chicago, their offense had 393 total yards.

7. They Can Play D, Too

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets breaks up a pass intended for Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/

Pittsburgh is known for its stellar defense, but few probably know that the Jets finished right below them in total defense during the regular season.

The margin is small too: Pittsburgh was second, allowing 276.8 total yards and 14.5 points per game. The Jets gave up 291.5 total yards and 19.0 points.

This is how it should be, though. The top two defenses should get to face off for a trip to the Super Bowl.

6. Plenty Of Playmakers

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver as David Harris #52 of the New York Jets rushes at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

The Steelers may be known for their defense and have the glitzy, well-known names, but three of the top five tacklers in the postseason are on the Jets: David Harris (21, 1), Eric Smith (20, 2) and Brodney Pool in fifth with 14 tackles.

Harris is also in the top five in interceptions (one) and Calvin Pace is among the postseason leaders with two sacks.

5. Better Prepared

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Sione Pouha #91 of the New York Jets celebrates on his way to defeating the New England Patriots 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 201

Last year, the New York Jets shocked plenty when they reached the AFC Championship, but now Rex Ryan said this is a better team that's entering today's game compared to a year ago.

"I think we're bringing in a team that can run the ball and throw the ball," he said. "I think last year we were more one dimensional and both of those teams played excellent defense and special teams.

"I feel confident with this group. Having the experience of last year and the games on top of it, also gives me a sense that we're really prepared for this game."

4. Santonio Holmes

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates with fans after the Jets 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

It would be pretty ironic if the former Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP gashes his old team with big plays today.

Holmes has become the Jets' big play threat this year and has been nicknamed "Tone Time" for how he's done in the clutch.

"The reasons we brought 'Tone' here is for these kind of games," Rex Ryan told Pro Football Weekly.

"Big-time players make big-time plays in the brightest spotlight, and here it is right here. The AFC championship time, this is 'Tone' time."

3. Getting It Done

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Place kicker Nick Folk #2 and Steve Weatherford #9 of the New York Jets celebrates after Folk successfully kicked a game-winning a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to win 17-16 against the Indianapolis Colts during

Need to win in dramatic fashion? New York has that covered.

They've got fourth-quarter/OT wins against Denver, Detroit, Cleveland, Houston and Indianapolis.

Perform on the road? Counting last year, New York's won four playoff games on the road (an NFL record) and is 8-2 on the road this year.

2. Ryan and Sanchez

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets talk on the field during warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapo

They're polar opposites, but Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez have become quite the combination and a key reason behind the Jets' resurgence.

"What an Odd Couple they make," writes New York Post columnist Steve Serby. "Rex is big and bad and bold and brash and no one ever called him Hollywood. The Sanchise is handsome and humble and a goofball gym rat and no one ever called him a blowhard.

"But what they have in common is this: The Steelers will have to drive a stake through their hearts or, at the very least, drag them kicking and screaming out of Heinz Field and into the bone-chilling night, to keep them from going to this Super Bowl."

1. The Corners

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots runs down field against the defense of Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachu

More than likely, Antonio Cromartie will be on Mike Wallace today, with Hines Ward having to handle Darrelle Revis.

After calling Tom Brady a vulgar name last week, Cromartie went after Ward this week, telling SportsNet New York that he's not "man enough to hit you when you're looking at him." He clarified that he doesn't think Ward's a dirty player but "[knows] for a fact that he will hit you while you're not looking."

Mike Tomlin said it's hard to argue that there's a better cornerback in the NFL than the man known as "Revis Island."

"When he chooses to lock up on someone, very rarely are they open," Tomlin said.

Even with the jawing, count Rex Ryan among the fans of Hines Ward.

"The guy's a great football player; there is no question about it. We've always had to battle him," Ryan said. "He'll look for you and if he can hit you, he will. I've seen him knock out a ton of guys before.

"They changed the rule for Hines Ward peeling back and hitting a defenseless player. But quite honestly, he's just finishing plays and there was no rule, so he went out. He plays hard, and he plays to the whistle. That is the kind of guy he is. I respect the heck out of Hines Ward."