Optimist Prime: Why the Jets Will Beat the Steelers

We'll get to the NYaT roundtable picks later but for now we need to go back to Russell who predicted the Jets would beat the Colts and the Pats. Now he says that they will beat Big Ben and the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Tell 'em why, Russell:

The Empire State Building has been lit up in the Jets green and white

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It’s been a fun week for Jets fans. From the incredible win against the Patriots to Bart Scott’s “ANYBODY CAN BE BEAT” interview, excitement is running high as the Jets are once again playing for a berth in the Big Game. This time the Jets fly into Pittsburgh to face a team very similar to themselves, and with the punishing defenses on both sides it should be close. Well Optimist Prime is back again and (real shocker here) says the Jets will beat the Steelers and advance to their Second Super Bowl. Here’s why…

The Jets Will Be Able To Ground And Pound Them

Defensively Pittsburgh only gave up an average of 62.8 yards on the ground during the regular season. That being said the Jets running game has been brilliant so far in the Playoffs, rushing for 152 yards against the Colts and 119 against New England. The Jets can rely on one of the best running back tandems in the NFL with Shonne Greene and LT. The backs play with different styles, which definitely helps the Jets, as they can go from the run you over to get the extra yard style of Greene to the shifty Tomlinson, and frustrate the Steelers defense with long drives. The Jets were able to rush for 106 yards the last time they played Pittsburgh and if they can run the ball successfully they’ll be in good shape.

Sanchez Can Win The Game Too

Sanchez played one of his best games as a pro from the second quarter on of last weeks win in New England. Sanchez passed for 3 touchdowns and 194 yards, and will pick up where he left off this week. Mark has handled blitzing, aggressive defenses like the Steelers pretty well and with the Jets all-pro offensive line he won’t be under siege by the likes of James Harrison. The Steelers defense has actually been pretty average against the pass; they’re twelfth in the league in passing yards against. Joe Flacco was able to shred the Steelers secondary for much of the first half, and if Sanchez can play like Flacco for four quarters not two, the Jets have a good chance at winning.

Big Ben Won’t Be Able To Find Anyone Open

It was arguably Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s finest hours last Sunday. The Jets thoroughly confused Brady and the secondary shut down nearly all receiving threats for most of the game. The blanket coverage also allowed Gang Green to pile on 5 sacks and an interception and there were countless times where Brady just had to throw it away. Expect the same level of dominance from the Jets defense for this week’s game as we can already assume that whoever Revis is covering--probably Hines Ward--will be vacationing on Revis Island for four quarters. Roethlisberger can extend plays, but with the Jets secondary shutting down all of the receivers, the Steelers may have to rely on a shaky running game to get them a win, and the Jets have one of the best run defenses in the league so that’s a recipe for success for the Jets.


The Jets Will Score A Touchdown

I know I have said this for the past two weeks, but the numbers don’t lie, and the Jets are 13-1 when they score a touchdown. This AFC championship game features two great defenses and if the Jets can get into the endzone, and force the Steelers to play from behind against the Jets stout defense, they’ll probably in good shape to go on to Dallas and their second Super Bowl.