Let the collective groans begin; Tim Tebow and the New York Jets are headed to town. The media frenzy that perpetually swarms about Tebow like a pack of hungry mosquitoes is sure to try and avert the gaze away from the actual game scheduled for Sunday, so consider this article a rare glimpse into the key statistics and figures for the matchup.
Fresh off of a week one victory, the Jets march into Pittsburgh already one up on the Steelers. The Black and Gold fell ingloriously to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, in a game now remembered solely as Peyton Manning’s magnificent regular season return.
However, what most seem to be missing is the fact that the Steelers’ own Ben Roethlisberger, very nearly matched Peyton’s admittedly impressive numbers, (game- losing interception-for-touchdown not withstanding.) Roethlisberger chucked 22 completions for 245 yards, including two touchdowns, narrowly lower than Manning’s 253 yards and two TDs.
And that leads to my pick as the Steelers’ Offensive Player to Watch for Week Two against the Jets. Keep checking out my weekly previews every Tuesday here on The Yinzer.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive Player to Watch
Ben Roethlisberger, QB
Big Ben is a slippery target for most any defensive player attempting to lock him down in the pocket, something he displayed on multiple occasions during last week’s game. The 6’5 Super Bowl champion, with the exception of the interception he threw to Denver’s Tracy Porter to seal the Steelers’ fate, played solidly in his first regular season game, not to mention his first game since last season that he had Mike Wallace to toss to at wideout.
I foresee Roethlisberger building off the keystone he set in place in week one, but I most anticipate seeing how he’ll handle throwing toward a New York secondary squad that’s considered one of the best in the league.
Defensive Player to Watch
Ryan Clark, FS
Once again, the Steelers’ secondary suffered mightily in the Mile High City without the presence of free safety Ryan Clark, entering his 11th season in the League, who suffers from a health condition that renders him unable to play in Denver, thanks to the higher altitude. While fellow safety and Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu was more than up to the task of picking up the slack Clark’s absence left, with Clark on the field, the face of the Steelers defense changes dramatically.
Clark is a defensive presence far more intimidating than his backup, Ryan Mundy, who recorded two tackles in week one. Opposing quarterbacks across the league respect Clark’s defensive prowess, thus allowing Polamalu the room he relies upon to leave the secondary and bring pressure on the pocket.
Pittsburgh should be excited to watch Polamalu return to true form in week two, but take note of Clark’s role in the masterpiece.
New York Jets
Offensive Player to Watch
Tim Tebow, QB
There isn’t so much a choice of whether or not to watch Tebow during week two; the cameras will undoubtedly focus in on his smiling, sidelined face the whole game long.
Tebow’s week one offensive contribution was all but nonexistent. The former Denver Bronco entered the game on rare occasions, slotted in by Coach Rex Ryan to “throw off” the opposing defense…as if professional football players had never before witnessed the unstoppable Wildcat Offensive attack.
The Steelers’ defense is notorious for stopping even the most potent of all running games cold in its tracks, and I believe the Jets will come to no different a fate, especially if Coach Ryan attempts to implement more of Tebow into his offensive operations.
Defensive Player to Watch
Calvin Pace, OLB
Pace, at the outside linebacker spot, is charged with trying break into the Steelers’ pocket and drag down the elusive Roethlisberger. And sacking the QB is something Pace has certainly accustomed himself to, having tallied 39 sacks over the course of career.
Pace will have to race around the likes of Max Starks and Willie Colon, a manageable feat by most standards. Keep an eye on where he’ll line up on the defensive side of the ball, and the Jets are wont to mix up formations early and often.
The X Factor
Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers, RB
Dwyer averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry on a meager nine carries, but in those nine carries played his best impression of former Steelers’ back Jerome Bettis. Dwyer thundered through Bronco tacklers on multiple occasions last Sunday night, and I for one am hoping he keeps up the positive progress whilst typical starter Rashard Mendenhall remains sidelined for week two.
The fate of Pittsburgh as far as week two is concerned lies on the shoulders of the team’s ability to establish a solid running game foundation for Roethlisberger to build off of. If Dwyer, behind his lackadaisical offensive line, are able to up the ante and put pressure on the Jets high-ranking offense.
Prediction Steelers, 21-20
Look for a well-mannered, pass-oriented contest with few penalty stoppages. Just kidding. Anyone who knows but a smidgen about the philosophies of opposing coaches Mike Tomlin and Rex Ryan will know that Sunday’s game will pit two gritty, passionate defensive squads against struggling offensive sides. I think the Steel City will pull it out by a small bit, thanks to Dwyer’s ability to secure enough of a running threat to alleviate the pressure on Roethlisberger.
Photo Credits: NY Daily News
