NFL Playoff Picks – Has the Clock Struck Midnight on Rex and the Jets?

The AFC Championship game goes Sunday and while some Football Betting Picks had the Pittsburgh Steelers playing to represent the AFC in Dallas, almost no one had the Jets vying for the AFC crown.

The Jets will try to knock off another recent Super Bowl winner on their way to the Super Bowl berth that Rex Ryan promised all Jets fans back in September.

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NEW YORK JETS (11-5) vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4)

Sunday, January 23, 6:30 PM ET

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Broadcast: CBS

NFL Playoff Picks Lines:

NY Jets: +3 ½ (-110)

Pittsburgh: -3 ½ (-110)

Moneyline: NY Jets +160: Pittsburgh -190

Total: 38 ½ points

After knocking off two of the most storied franchises of the last decade, the New York Jets have finally gained some respect as an NFL Playoff Picks contender. It almost seems that the Jets were playing rope-a-dope during the second half of the season, opting to concentrate on the teams that they knew they would be facing in the playoffs. Rex Ryan and the boys get their third chance to knock off a team that has won the Super Bowl in the last 10 years when they travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Jets 22nd ranked passing game was much maligned going into the post season but Mark Sanchez has stepped up and has done just enough in order for his team to get by. Sanchez has limited mistakes, has throw three touchdowns and only one interception in two road games this post season.

The Jets have gone back to basics and are once again utilizing some players that looked to have been forgotten about late in the season – Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery. Look for these two to be featured heavily again as an outlet for Mark Sanchez who will most certainly be harassed all game long by the Pittsburgh defense. The Jets running game will be bogged down for sure so short passing will have to rule the day for New York.

The Jets defense has been lights out in the playoffs so far, holding the prolific offenses of the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots to 37 points combined! The Jets 3rd ranked run defense will have their hands full with Rashard Mendenhall but the 6th ranked passing defense appears to match up very well with the Steelers receivers. Revis and Cromartie will be a nightmare for Wallace and Ward!

The Pittsburgh Steelers weathered the NFL Picks storm early in the season during Big Ben’s suspension but they are where they thought that they would be – playing into late January, at home, healthy and seemingly on top of their game. The Steelers may feel fortunate to not be travelling to Foxborough this week, but the Jets have proven to be a worthy adversary – one that beat them 22-17 only a month ago!

The Steelers played possibly their best game of the season last week in a victory over AFC North foe, Baltimore. The 14th ranked passing game was able to incorporate Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders into their game plan – something that the Jets will have to account for. Ben Roethlisberger was solid as usual and the 11th ranked running game did just enough for victory. Although Rashard Mendenhall has not gained over 100 yards since Week 10, he is, and will be a big part of the Pittsburgh offense on Sunday.

Like no other team in the NFL, the Steelers offense is simply a compliment to their defense. Defense rules the day for the Steelers. What’s most impressive about this unit is that they find ways to make an impact even when their best player, Troy Polamalu is not at his best. They will stop the run (1st in the NFL – 62.75 yards per game), harass the quarterback and punish any opposition player that touches the ball! This unit allowed a league low 14.50 points per game to their opposition this season.

NFL Playoff Picks Outlook:

The New York Jets are 4-1 SU in their last five games, are 13-3 SU and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games on the road. They are 4-11 SU in their last 15 games against the Steelers and are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 versus Pittsburgh. The Jets are 1-5 SU in their last six games in Pittsburgh but are 4-1 ATS in their last five visits to Heinz Field.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-1 SU in their last eight games and are 4-1 SU in their last five games at home. The Steelers are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games against the Jets and are 5-1 SU in their last six at home versus New York. In the playoffs, the Steelers are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games overall and are 5-0 ATS in their last five at home.

The big question going into this game is – Why not the Jets? I’ll tell you why! The Jets have yet to face a top caliber defense so far in the playoffs this year and they have done a masterful job at taking care of the ball. Against a fired up Steelers front, I expect a few game-changing mistakes from Mark Sanchez. It’s true that Sanchez is playing well but the Pittsburgh defense has made a habit of making everyone look bad. I like Steeler defense and the big game experience of Ben Roethlisberger to guide the Steelers to at least a touchdown win.

NFL Playoff Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers -3 ½

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