Jets-Steelers Matchup Report
(The Spread) – Who has the edge in this Sunday’s AFC Championship Game according to the stats? We take a closer look at the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
View Current AFC Championship Game Odds
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, the Steelers are 3.5-point favorites over the Jets for this Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. The over/under total is currently sitting at 38.5 points.
Jets’ Offensive Stats: New York is led by its solid rushing attack, which gains 147.9 yards per game and ranks fourth in the NFL. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene power an attack that produces nearly a rushing touchdown per game (0.9) and 4.4 yards per attempt. The weakness of the Jets’ offense lies in its passing game, which ranks 22nd in passing yards per game (200.4). Mark Sanchez is only in his second year and while he has shown signs of improving, he continues to be a work in progress. That said, he did throw three touchdown passes in the Jets’ win over the Patriots last Sunday and didn’t turn the ball over.
Steelers’ Defensive Stats: Once again, Pittsburgh has one of the best defenses in the league. The Steelers rank first in yards allowed per game (267.9) and fifth in opponent third down percentage (33.94%). Led by Troy Polamalu and a nasty front seven, it’s incredibly difficult to run on the Steelers, who have the best run defense (61.1 yards per game) in the league. While considered a weakness, the Steelers’ secondary is actually first in opponent yards per competition at 9.3. The Steelers also led the league in sacks this year with 48.
Jets’ Defensive Stats: Defense continues to be a strength for Rex Ryan-led teams. The Jets rank third in the league in opponent yards per game at 297.1 and rushing yards per game at 92.2. Thanks to corners Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, the Jets are only allowing 204.8 passing yards per game and teams are completing just 52.49% of their passes against Gang Green, which ranks them first in that category.
Steelers’ Offensive Stats: Pittsburgh’s running game has improved from last year, as the Steelers rank 11th in the league in rushing yards per game (117.4). The Steelers rank 14th in passing yards per game with 223.1 and thanks to Ben Roethlisberger, they’re averaging 7.4 yards per pass attempt. The key is whether or not the offensive line (which has struggled at times this year) will hold up.
Some other stats to consider is that the Steelers rank second in the league in turnovers per game at +1.1, while the Jets are tied for seventh at +0.5. The Jets are 18th in penalties per game at 6.1, while the Steelers are 24th at 6.4.
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