New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 NFL Playoff Predictions, Odds, and Picks: Head football coach Rex Ryan will lead his New York Jets on the road to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC Championship on Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on CBS Sports. The Steelers came from behind to beat division rivals the Baltimore Ravens at home to get to 13-4 and face the Jets who had to win on the road at Indy then New England to make it to their 2nd consecutive AFC Championship game under Coach Ryan at 13-5. Ryan and the Jets have been unusually quiet this week and even given some praise to the Steeler players.
“(Manning and Brady) approach things a little different,” said Ryan, who lost the 2009 AFC title game in Pittsburgh as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator. “Roethlisberger will beat you up. … I’ve never seen a guy take the hits he can take and also make people miss the way he does and be as accurate on the run.” “They’re a really good defense,” Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “They try and confuse. That’s the big thing they do. … You don’t know where people are lining up and how to identify them. The Jets’ defense beat the two best quarterbacks in the game at their place. I don’t know how I’m going to do it.” Not the chin music you expect but more respectful and serious. The odds makers at JustBET have the Pittsburgh Steelers -3 point favorites at home against the New York Jets.
The Steelers won their home playoff game 31-24 over the Baltimore Ravens after turning the ball over and falling behind by 14 in the first half. Big Ben completed 19 of 32 passes for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing 6 times for 11 yards. Running back Rashard Mendenhall carried 20 times for just 46 yards but scored 2 touchdowns. Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Jets. Vegas odds makers have the Pittsburgh Steelers as +200 odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl.
The Jets out dueled the Patriots 28-21 on the road to move on to the AFC Championship for the 2nd year in a row. Quarterback Mark Sanchez completed 16 of 25 passes for 194 yards and 3 touchdowns while Shonn Greene carried 17 times for 76 yards and a late touchdown. The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the NY Jets last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 38 points combined of the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
I predict a Steeler win and cover as the Jets have met their Kryptonite of the Steeler Defense!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.