AFC Playoff Picks – Jets at Steelers for a Trip to Dallas

The Jets and Steelers are the last two teams standing after an ultra-competitive year in the AFC, and now the AFC playoff picks favorite Steelers have to handle the pressure of being the favorite in the title game against a Jets team that peaked at the right time.

The New York Jets are capable of beating any team on any given day as long as QB Mark Sanchez plays efficiently.

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Can he lead them to a big win over the AFC’s other flagship team besides New England (and Indianapolis), the Pittsburgh Steelers?

New York Jets (13-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers ( 13-4)

6:30 pm ET, Heinz Field

AFC Playoff Picks Line: Steelers favored at -3 ½.

Steelers’ Strengths: Pittsburgh is one of the most physically imposing and flat-out big teams in the NFL in recent years.

The Steelers have a big offensive line, huge outside linebackers to rush the QB, and even a big QB in Ben Roethlisberger.

Pittsburgh will swarm to the ball on defense and on offense they have balance as the 11th-ranked rushing team and 14th-ranked passing team.

They also are first in rushing defense which will make it tough for Sanchez to get comfortable on the field; the Jets might have to go to a short passing game to alleviate the pressure Pittsburgh’s front seven will bring.

Jets’ Strengths: New York has made it this far by supplanting two flashier teams in New England and Indianapolis. They get it done the old fashioned way: by stopping the run and running the ball; they rank in the top 5 in both categories.

The AFC playoff picks underdog Jets will have to win this one through the air most likely, however.

Luckily, Sanchez, Braylon Edwards, and Santonio Holmes have shown they can make big plays in the clutch in recent weeks which was the concern about the team heading into the playoffs.

Key Stat/Trend: Pittsburgh is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 playoff games overall.

AFC Playoff Picks Winner: Pittsburgh will take this one by virtue of the pressure they put on Sanchez by rushing him with star OLB’s LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison and by stopping the run, forcing him into a key mistake. Take Pittsburgh at -3 ½.