AFC Championship Game Jets Vs Steelers: Las Vegas Line & Pick Against the Spread

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game January 23rd. The Pittsburgh Steelers played a brutal game against their divisional rivals the Baltimore Ravens and will have a short time to recover and get back on track to face the New York Jets.

Rex Ryan and the New York Jets backed up their boastful talk and took down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in one of the most shocking upsets of the NFL Playoffs. The public and the betting public all but expected the Patriots to be in Dallas for Super Bowl XLV. The spread on the game reached nine points in the Patriots favor but the scrappy New York Jets pulled out yet another miracle.

The New York Jets enter this AFC Championship game with a chip on their shoulder. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jets locked horns in December with the Jets winning 22-17. In that game Mark Sanchez bounced back from two devastating losses to divisional opponents, the New England Patriots (45-3) and the Miami Dolphins (10-6).

Pittsburgh Steelers Offense vs New York Jets Defense

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers continued their NFL Playoff success with an exhilarating win over their bitter rivals the Baltimore Ravens. Roethlisberger led his offense to the winning score late in the game in yet another clutch performance.

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is still searching for consistency this season but their most reliable receivers have been Mike Wallace and Hines Ward, Ward has slowed as his career comes to a close but his still a clutch receiver with the game on the line. If the Pittsburgh Steelers want to win this game they must get Rashard Mendenhall involved in the game.

The New York Jets defense is the reason they have made it to the NFL Playoffs. Bart Scott and Darrelle Revis have provided the leadership on this aggressive defense that loves to take chances. There are weaknesses that may be exploited on this defense.

Antonio Cromartie is still susceptible to the long ball threat and with Revis covering Mike Wallace. Antwaan Randle El is a potential deep that could match up against Cromartie in this game. The New York Jets defense is one of the best against the run holding the opposition to 90 yards per game and they rank sixth against the pass. The New York Jets defense has the edge over the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense vs New York Jets Offense

Troy Polamalu receives a lot of the credit for the success of this Pittsburgh Steelers defense but there are plenty of other contributors on the defense for the Steelers. LaMaar Woodley and James Harrison are two of the most intimidating defenders in the NFL and when Harrison is not being fined from the league office he is still a capable coverage linebacker.

Mark Sanchez has shown moments of greatness in two year NFL career and this will be his second consecutive AFC Championship game. Sanchez has four NFL Playoff victories under his belt but can he close? This year Sanchez has an ace up his sleeve and his name is Santonio Holmes. Holmes is already a Super Bowl hero and has shown in the past he is a player that rises to the occasion in big games.

Rex Ryan used his running backs wisely this NFL season and the number one and two running backs, LaDanian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene are rested and healthy as they enter the AFC Championship game. Look for the New York Jets to run the ball early to establish the play action pass but they may run into a brick wall against the best run defense in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has the edge over the New York Jets offense.

New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers -3: Pick Against the Spread & Breakdown

The Las Vegas Hilton has set the line on the AFC Championship game with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a three point favorite over the New York Jets. The Jets went to Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 22-17 in the regular season but did they see the best version of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The New York Jets faced a Steelers team without Troy Polamalu and many in Pittsburgh are looking forward to seeing what will happen between these two with Polamalu in the mix. The Jets have found a way to win in the last two years of NFL Playoffs bit now can they clear the final hurdle to play in a Super Bowl? Take the Pittsburgh Steelers -3 points over the New York Jets.

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Statistical sources:

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