THE Pittsburgh Steelers will beat the New York Jets on Sunday night – but at around 1/2, I can’t bring myself to tip them in an amazingly unpredictable NFL season.
Only a small number of things have been reliable in this 2010 season, and one of those things has been the over-rating of the New York Jets. Partially due to their over-achievement in the playoffs last season, partially due to their location in New York, and partially due to their ‘larger than life’ head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets have earned an on-field respect that their performances have simply not deserved. Look at the facts. A 5-1 start contained wins against Minnesota, Buffalo, Denver and Miami, and while it is true that you can only beat who is put in front of you, the warning lights should have been flashing for Jets fans when they needed overtime to beat Detroit and Cleveland in back to back weeks. Still, at 9-2 the Jets had to be taken seriously as they ran into New England two weeks ago, only to get their tails handed to them in a 45-3 blowout. A 10-6 home loss to Miami last week further highlighted the Jets problems – particularly on offence where quarterback Mark Sanchez has been unable to lead the Jets to a touchdown for two consecutive games
Heading into Heinz Field is hardly the cure the Jets need for their woes either, the Steelers tough defence ranks 4th overall in the league and has allowed only 9 points per game during a 4 game win streak – a streak that included a huge divisional road win against the Ravens. Still, the Steelers have had their own offensive woes of late – their defence has scored more touchdowns than their offence has over the last two weeks. Rashard Mendenhall has cooled off after a good start to the season and the Steelers themselves has commented that they have struggled to finish drives off with touchdowns. Facing Jets cornerback Derelle Revis is no easy thing either, Revis is perhaps one of the few legitimate parts on this Jets squad, and his play will force Roethlisberger elsewhere and probably away from lead receiver Mike Wallace. It is a good thing for the Steelers, then, that tight-end Heath Miller is set to return from injury, and he could be in for a big game.
One possible hurdle for the Steelers is that defensive star Troy Polamalu looks set to miss the game after being absent from practice during the week. Polamalu has been responsible for key interceptions in recent weeks, and forced the fumble that set up the win for the Steelers in Baltimore. His absence gives the Jets some hope, and as has been proved so many times this season, just when a result looks obvious, that may be the time to back away. That is why although the Steelers are the more talented team, at home, and with all the momentum, they can’t be backed at 1/2 against the Jets – whose playoff lives rest in their hands.
SUGGESTION –
No Bet
*For the same reason, the Patriots are also a no bet at 2/17 against the Packers at home in the Sunday night game – these prices will not lead to profit in the NFL in the long run*
No comments:
Post a Comment