IT'S GAMEDAY AND TIME FOR THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

It's gameday and the Steelers are looking to go to the Super Bowl. Who stands in their way. The New York Jets. So, it's time to look at each team and compare them to see who has the advantage in this game.

OFFENSE

1. Quarterback
The Pittsburgh Sports Buzz has read all the lists of the different experts comparing the best quarterbacks in the league over the last few years. There is always the debate between Brady, Manning, Rivers and last year Drew Brees was added in there. At one point people even threw in Eli Manning. But of that crowd there is only 1 Quarterback that has won more than 1 Super Bowl, Brady. You have to take into account the big game when you are comparing QBs. There are two active QBs that have won 2 or more Super Bowls. One is Roethlisberger and one is Brady. Only one of those guys still has their team in the playoffs and we know who that is. Sanchez has been to the AFC championship game similar to Roethlisberger's first year. But has not shown the consistency of Roethlisberger.

Advantage: Steelers

2. Running Backs
The Steelers have relied on their work horse, Rashard Mendenhall, this season and he has provided a thousand yard season and also proved that the Steelers are able to punch it in from the one yard line. To provide a veteran presence behind Mendenhall is Mewelde Moore. A stable force that will come in when needed and spell Rashard. Mewelde can be a force as a pass catcher and rusher. A definite bonus to have around. Then there's Isaac Redman who had one big TD to help the Steelers win the AFC north and number 1 seed in the second Ravens matchup this season.
The Jets have relied on Ladainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene this year. Tomlinson was out to prove he could still be the number 1 back. Shonn Greene was the young guy. Both were relatively dependable and provided the biggest challenge the Steelers received against their rush defense. The Buzz thinks LT has put on quite a bit of mileage this year on his already overtaxed body.
Look for a big game from Mendenhall and keep the Jets off the field.
Advantage: The scales tip slightly toward the Steelers side

3. Wide Receivers
The Steelers have a great stable of Wide Receivers. They have the Veterans in Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El and they have the young guns in Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emmanual Sanders who have proven they belong in the NFL and have bright futures.
The Jets have Santonio Holmes, whose career path is well known amongst Steelers fans, including a Super Bowl MVP trophy. They have Braylon Edwards, Steeler hater, who has become a sometimes reliable receiver for the Jets, but also known for dropping passes. Then they have the Jericho Cotchery and Brad Smith. Santonio is the cream of that crop and most definitely a weapon. Braylon Edwards is a weapon, but inconsistent.
Advantage Steelers

4. Offensive Line
Although the Steelers have improved over the last part of the season on the line, they are still playing with 2 backups in Willie Colon and Jonathan Scott. Both teams strengths lie in the middle of their line because both have Pro Bowl Centers, Nick Mangold for the Jets and Maurkice Pouncey for the Steelers.

Advantage: Jets

DEFENSE

1. Defensive Line

The Steelers Defensive Line is built with a bunch of grizzled old veterans, one of which was replace by Ziggy Hood. That is still 3 out of 4 that have been through numerous battles and championship games. Ziggy Hood is no slouch himself. He has come into his own as a the left defensive end and continued the stellar play of the man he replaced midseason. Ziggy had a big sack on Joe Flacco in the last game. After Aaron Smith went down some were worried that the historic defense that was so stingy with the rushing game would spring a leak. But, the Steelers remained effective and allowed the third lowest rushing yards per game in the Super Bowl era.

The Jets also have a stingy Defensive Line, but it’s a comparison of apples and oranges when you’re talking about these two teams.

Advantage: Steelers

2. Linebackers

The linebacking corps of the Steelers is their strength. They provide the heat that keeps the quarterbacks honest. They are all good and I expect them to have their share of sacks today.

The Jets have a very good linebacking corps led by the transfer from the Ravens, Bart Scott, again the do not measure up to the Steelers group.

Advantage Steelers

3. Defensive Backs

The Steelers cornerbacks are adequate because of the strength of the rest of the defense. They are asked to not let the opponents receivers get behind them and they have done that quite well throughout the year. Bryant McFadden has been trying to overcome an injury during the last quarter of the year and will probably play as much as he can this game. Ike Taylor is a quality cornerback that never gets his due because of his lack of ability to make the easy interceptions. If you want to pick a cornerback to shut someone down don’t underestimate Taylor.

The Jets have two quality cornerbacks that make life difficult for their opponents. Revis is a shut down corner and Cromartie also can be very effective. Together they are a quality tandem.

Advantage Jets

4. Safeties

The Safety Position could easily be the difference in this game. The difference maker, Troy Polamalu is everywhere on the field. He’ll drop back into coverage, he’ll show drop back then blitz, he’ll provide run support, and he’ll fly over the offensive line and stop the quarterback or running back before they get started..

Ryan Clark single handedly forced 2 turnovers that led to 2 touchdowns in the Ravens game.

The Jets have 2 6 year men in Brodney Poole and Dwight Lowery who are quality players that play within the Jets system.

Troy Polamalu has been mentioned by many as the Defensive player of the year. He is the difference maker. He did not play in the first game this season and the outcome of that game could have been much different had he been there.

Advantage Steelers

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Jets Brad Smith returned the first kickoff of the first meeting of these teams for a touchdown and set the tone for the Jets to be competitive in the game.

The Steelers, despite having a new special teams coach, continue to struggle with their return defense. Another kickoff return in this game could be the difference. The Steelers have employed the squib kick recently which has held the kickoff returns down, but they might be smart to punt it out of bounds to avoid any chance of a return.

Antonio Brown started off strongly this year providing returns, but have not done anything dramatic recently.

Advantage: Jets

COACHING

Mike Tomlin has a Super Bowl trophy to his credit and an impressive defensive coach. Rex Ryan has two AFC championship game appearances in 2 years.

Advantage Steelers

The first game was decided on that first kickoff return. The quarterbacks both played well enough to win and the defenses were both as advertised. Here are the items that this game will revolve around.

1. Will Troy be the Difference Maker
2. Will the Steelers Special Teams be sufficient
3. Will Sanchez play well in frigid conditions
4. Can Ben find the open receivers against Revis and Cromartie

The game will be a close one but the Steelers will pull it out

24-20