AFC Championship: Steelers vs. Jets Pick
This game is a game where many people are exclaiming “can’t wait”. That seems to be the motto for this game after the post game press conference from Bart Scott following the Jets win last week. The New York Jets will head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers for the right to move on to the Super Bowl on February 6th. The Jets come in as the sixth seed out of the AFC, while the Steelers have the #2 seed. These two teams played in week 15 with the Jets coming away with a road win at Heinz Field.
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Rex Ryan and the New York Jets have been quiet following their upset win over top seeded New England. After a bunch of trash talk leading up to the Patriots game, Ryan’s crew seems focused and determined. The Jets have not been to the Super Bowl, since the Super Bowl IV. New York, after receiving the six seed went to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during the first weekend of the postseason. Nick Folk nailed a field goal with no time to go to win the game. Last week, the Jets kept New England to just one Tom Brady passing touchdown. New York has seen quarterback Mark Sanchez come onto his own. The former USC quarterback threw for just shy of 3300 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. The Jets running game has been led by former San Diego star LaDainian Tomlinson and his 914 rushing yards. Shonn Green has also added a solid season, for the two headed running back monster. The Jets defense allowed just 90.9 rushing yards per game during the regular season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in the AFC title game, after taking last season off from the event. Two years ago the Steelers won the AFC and later won the Super Bowl. After starting the season with controversy surrounding quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh has turned into a dynamic team on both sides of the football. The Steelers have shown the ability score the football, averaging 24 points per game. Former Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall was a key factor for the Pittsburgh offense. He rushed for 1273 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. The Steelers defense was the best statistically in the NFL. Pittsburgh allowed just 276 total yards of offense, 62.8 on the ground. The Steelers got to this game after downing their long time rival Baltimore last week. After trailing 21-7 at halftime, the Steelers used 24 second half points to win the game. Since 2001, these two teams have met six times, with both teams winning three.
Both teams have what it takes to win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately only one of the teams can make the game. The home team – Pittsburgh has a distinct advantage, due to the simple fact of winning at home. Rex Ryan has led the Jets to a win at Heinz Field this season, but do not expect them to do it again. Pittsburgh comes in as a -3.5 favorite, and we feel they will cover that spread. If you are doing any football betting over the weekend strongly consider the Steelers -3.5! The Steelers win this game 23-17.
