After an impressive 43-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers look to keep their winning ways against the New York Jets. The Pittsburgh Steelers potent offense was on full display with the return of running back Le’Veon Bell.
Meanwhile, the Jets are coming off a 27-17 defeat by the hands of the Seattle Seahawks.
Pittsburgh Steelers Keys to Victory against the New York Jets
Welcome Back, Steelers Defense
After laying dormant in an early season slumber, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense finally woke up in 2016. With only one quarterback sack to their name coming into last week’s game, the Steelers defense recorded four quarterback sacks and an interception.
The Steelers defense was led by inside linebacker Vince Williams who was filling in for injured Ryan Shazier. And man did he ever. Williams recorded 15 total tackles and a sack. Joining Vince Williams in creating havoc was Cam Heyward who recorded seven tackles and three sacks.
It was nice to see the defense create some “splash plays”. That trend will need to continue on Sunday against a New York Jets offense that has turned the ball over 12 times in just two games.
The Seattle Seahawks were able to sack New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick four times in their meeting. More importantly, the Seahawks were able to neutralize the Jets running game. They held Matt Forte to under 30 yards, forcing the turnover-prone quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to beat them (nine interceptions last two games) consistently. As you know, the strategy worked.
Eliminate the run, pressure the quarterback, and make Fitzpatrick beat you. If the Steelers keep dialing up the blitz and creating turnovers and “splash plays”, their winning trend will continue on Sunday.
Big Ben Roethlisberger After Throwing 5 Touchdowns
It’s an impressive feat to throw five touchdowns in a single game at any level, let alone the National Football League. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has done it three times.
Oh yeah, he’s also thrown six touchdowns in a game. Twice. In back to back weeks.
Even more impressive is Roethlisberger’s record the week AFTER throwing five (or more) passing touchdowns. Roethlisberger is 4-1 the week after throwing 5 or more touchdowns.
In more recent history, after throwing six touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts ( the 51-34 victory), Roethlisberger torched the hated Baltimore Ravens with another six touchdown game winning 43-23. The next week, though? A 20-13 defeat by the Mike Vick led New York Jets. Roethlisberger threw for 343 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the dud. History won’t repeat itself on Sunday.
Roethlisberger and Co. won’t miss the opportunity to torch a very exploitable Jets secondary. The Jets are ranked 27th against the pass giving up 285 yards a game. They also surrender 26.3 points per game (21st overall).
Expect Ben Roethlisberger to feed the ball to Antonio Brown early and often. Even though Brown will be visiting Darrell Revis “Island”, it’s looked more exploitable and sunnier now than in years’ past.
If there’s a bright spot for the New York Jets defense it’s their run defense. Ranked second in the NFL the Jets give up only 70 rushing yards per game. Led in tackles by rookie Darron Lee (24), Jets boast an impressive defensive line with the likes of Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, and Sheldon Richardson.
Keep Ringing the Bell
It’s a terrible pun, I know, but it works. After averaging 7.3 yards per touch last week (18 rushes for 144 yards, five receptions for 34 yards) in his first game back, Le’Veon Bell looked to be in vintage form. And I’m going to keep using the pun until it proves me wrong.
Le’Veon Bell lined up all over the field, and spent quite a bit of time in the slot as a receiver. He presents a matchup problem against anyone on defense and the Steelers will continue to use him any way they can.
The Seattle Seahawks running backs (Christine Michael and CJ Spiller) combined for 20 rushes (70 yards) and seven receptions (37 yards, two touchdowns) against the Jets defense last week. I expect to see Le’Veon Bell shoulder a full workload and line up all over the field.
Somewhere in the ballpark of 20-25-30 touches for Le’Veon Bell should be nothing more than a formality at this point.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers stick to their above keys, they shall be victorious against the New York Jets and move to 4-1.
Prediction – Steelers 31 New York Jets 24
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