Jets vs. Steelers
Betting Line: Steelers -6 o/u 36
12/19/10
You don’t have to live in the New York City area to enjoy the sports comedy being broadcast each and every day on WFAN. In this day and age, you can listen online from anywhere in the world. You can even listen via your mobile phone. Folks, treat yourself to some laughs this holiday season. Tune in anytime between 10am est. and 7pm est. and listen to the fair weather Jets fans call in and whine. But hurry, because should the Jets upset the Steelers this week, they’ll have their team playing in the Super Bowl again.
It truly is comical. Here’s a team in the thick of the playoff race, a team that went to the AFC title Game last year, a team that controls it’s own destiny, and yet these fans have nothing positive to say. They want the coach fired, they want a new QB, they want Tomlinson gone, and on and on and on.
The first thing any handicapper should learn, is to not get too caught up in a teams most recent performance. The betting public generally only remembers what happened last week. In the case of the Jets, the betting public likely remembers the past two weeks, as the Jets we’re smashed by the Patriots and then followed that up with a loss at home to the Dolphins. Two devastating losses for sure, but let’s not forget, it’s a 16 Game season and the Games played back in September mean just as much as the Games this week. Point being, the Jets beat both the Patriots and Dolphins earlier in the year. It’s hardly time to panic.
Many are looking at this Game wondering how in the world the Jets can even stand a chance. They haven’t scored a touchdown in what, 8 quarters? Now they face one of the best defensive units in the NFL this week in the Steelers. Back up the brinks truck, right? The Steelers look like a lock! Well, they might be. But then again…..
These two teams are remarkably similar. Both have struggled offensively as of late. The Steelers managed just 3 field goals against the Bengals last week. It’s the Steelers defense that has put points on the board. While the Jets have had their share of problems offensively, there’s nothing wrong with their defense (the pats Game aside). As hard as it may be to envision the Jets being able to do anything offensively this week, the Steelers may very well have some problems of their own on that side of the ball.
Take a look at where these teams rank in different categories. Points for, Jets 18th Steelers 16th. Points against Jets 6th Steelers 2nd. Offensive rushing, Jets 6th Steelers 10th. Passing, Jets 21st Steelers 17th. Defense against the run, Jets 3rd Steelers 1st. against the pass Jets 9th, Steelers 24th.
The Steelers are the better team here. Playing at home only magnifies that advantage. The Jets have an uphill battle for sure. But it certainly doesn’t look as easy to us as many are going to make you believe by Game time on Sunday.
Points figure to be at a premium on Sunday. Getting +6 or more in this spot with the Jets is very attractive. This Game figures to be a defensive battle with both offenses continuing to struggle. Weather could also be a factor as there’s the potential for some snow by Game time. More than half of the Steelers wins this year came by a touchdown or less while the Jets, losers of just 3 all year, lost by 9, 4 and of course, the Patriots blowout.
The Jets are fighting for the playoffs and perhaps much more…..their jobs. Expect a huge effort from the Jets this week, which should be enough to keep this one within the spot. An upset not out of the question. Jets +6