| WR Santonio Holmes will face his former team Sunday when the Jets travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers. (US Presswire) |
Jets at Steelers -- Week 2
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Steelers by 6
Forecast: Mostly sunny. Projected temperatures in the mid-70s.
Records: Jets (Overall: 1-0, AFC East: 1-0); Steelers (Overall: 0-1, AFC North: 0-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Jan. 23, 2011: Jets 19, Steelers 24 (AFC Championship Game); Dec. 19, 2010: Jets 22, Steelers 17. Series record: Steelers have a 15-4 lead. Jets are 0-2 in the postseason against Pittsburgh.
What matters: The Jets offensive line more than held its own against the Bills -- but this is the Steelers. The Jets pass protection will be critical if New York expects to launch a balanced attack. The Jets defensive backfield, without CB Darrelle Revis, will have to bring its A+ game against Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Who matters: QB Mark Sanchez, as always, will be on the hot seat and will have to maintain his poise facing the Steelers blitzes. In addition, now that Revis (concussion) has been ruled out, all eyes will be on CB Kyle Wilson, who will start in his place. The two players have spent a lot of time working together over the past couple of years, but even coach Rex Ryan acknowledged that there’s only one Revis. “In this case, we’ll take a little less,” he said.
Key matchups: The offensive line vs. the Steelers blitz. While this won’t be just the job of the offensive line, they will be the last line of defense against a notoriously ferocious Steelers blitzing scheme.
Injuries of note: CB Darrelle Revis suffered a concussion in the season opener against the Bills and will not play on Sunday. TE Dustin Keller, who suffered a hamstring injury in practice before the Bills game, suffered a setback during the week and will not play. LB Bryan Thomas is out, still battling a hamstring injury that he suffered during the game against Buffalo.
Inside stuff: In spite of all the raving about the Jets defense, they are one of only two teams in the NFL without a sack. The other team? Last week’s opponent, the Buffalo Bills.
Connections: WR Santonio Holmes was acquired by the Jets from Pittsburgh in an offseason trade just before the 2010 draft. Steelers WR Jerricho Cotchery was the Jets’ fourth-round pick in 2004 and played for the team through 2010. Steelers LB James Farrior was the Jets’ first-round pick in 1997. He played the first four seasons of his career in New York.
Stat you should know: The Steelers finished 2011 in first place in overall defense. This is a title the Jets are trying to claim in 2012, but they've got a ways to go. After Week 1, they're tied for 24th with the Titans in team defense.
Record watch: LB Calvin Pace needs one sack for a career total of 40. LB David Harris needs 0.5 sacks for a career total of 20.
Bulletin board quote: S LaRon Landry: “It's going to be a tough game, going up against their offense, but also statistically, winning each category, comparing defense to defense, I'm looking forward to that challenge, too. (I want) to win every category and outbeat their defense. Seriously."
Looking ahead: The Jets come in 1-0 after defeating the Bills in Week 1. A win here would be a huge boost as they continue on the road in week three at the Dolphins before returning home to wrap up the first quarter of the season against the 49ers.
Prediction: Steelers 24, Jets 21
Stay dialed in on the New York Jets by following correspondent Lisa Zimmerman on Twitter @CBSJets and @LisaZimmerman.