New York lost for the 3rd time in 4 games last Sunday, coming in on the wrong end of a 27-17 game with Seattle. Pittsburgh was very strong in a 43-14 rout of Kansas City last week.
New York’s offense has been stopped this season by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s costly interceptions especially in the 4th quarter (8). The Jets aren’t running the ball very often despite a 4.2 ypc average. That means Fitzpatrick will look to exploit a defense that is allowing 316 passing ypg. The Steelers like to bring the heat but have only 5 sacks in 4 games. Seeing as NY doesn’t throw the ball to their TEs, they may want to keep an extra blocker in to handle the many blitzes they will see on passing downs. Given time, Fitzpatrick should be able to find WRs Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa open in a suspect secondary.
Pittsburgh’s offense was happy to get RB Le’Veon Bell back from suspension and he showed how happy he was to be back to the tune of 178 yards from scrimmage, including 144 on the ground. Don’t expect a repeat of that performance as the Jets defense gives up an average of only 70 ypg on the ground and a measly 3.1 ypc. That means QB Ben Roethlisberger will attack a pass defense that yields 285 ypg through the air as well as 8 TD passes so far this year. CB Darrelle Revis, who hasn’t been playing like his usual self this season, is iffy with a hamstring injury. WR Antonio Brown is the best wideout in the game and he should flourish against a secondary that lacks elite speed. Speedster WR Sammie Coates has started to assert himself and I think the speed of the Steelers receivers will give the Jets fits. TE Jesse James has caught 12 passes and his great height (6’7”) is an asset in the red zone (2 TD receptions).
Public Money
The Steelers play host to the Jets this weekend and the public is all over the home Pittsburgh team to cover the 7 point spread by 81%. The total bettors are leaning heavily to the game going over the posted 46.5 total at 74%.