Steelers vs. Jets: Key’s to the Game

New York Jets:

1. Run The Ball: It’s not going to be easy as the Steelers have the best run defense in the league, but the Jets bread and butter is running the ball. If the Jets have any shot of winning this game, they have to be able to move the ball on the ground. If they can get 100+ yards they have a good chance of winning this game.

2. Mark Sanchez Needs To Play Like A Franchise QB: The Jets are a great football team despite having average (at best) quarterback play. For the Jets to win this championship game they need Sanchez to live up to the hype and have a great game. He stepped up in the second half of the Patriots game and he will need to do the same today. If Sanchez has a big game, then New York could upset the Steelers.

3. Attack The Offense: The Jets need their defense to come up with some big plays. New York doesn’t have the offense to win this game on their own, so this defense will need to step up to slow down the Steelers offense. Not only will the Jets have to slow down the Steelers offense, but I think they will need a couple big turnovers to win this game.

Pittsburgh Steelers:

1. Blitzburgh: Mark Sanchez really has been pretty average thus far in his career, and when you put pressure on him he will make big time mistakes. The Steelers need to do what they do best and blitz him nonstop. Pittsburgh needs to keep the pressure on the young quarterback, and they should expect a couple of turnovers.

2. Attack the Safeties: The Jets have the best corners in the league, but their safeties can be beaten. The Steelers need to attack the center of the field and get some big plays against those safeties.

3. Stop The Run Cold: The Steelers have the best run defense in the league, and they have to ensure they get the job done today. If the Jets find a way to run tonight, it could be a long day in Pittsburgh, but if the run defense comes though then Mark Sanchez has to win this game, which he probably isn’t capable of doing.

Prediction: Steelers 27-17