The Steelers are starting to look like the Packers. They had this game under control and are now letting the Jets hang around. However, unlike the first game today, the Jets are actually doing something about it, and playing to their strengths. I had said that the Steelers can be beaten in the secondary if you attack them...and that's exactly what the Jets have done here in the 2nd half so far. The touchdown to Holmes being the obvious example.
They caught some more bad luck on the roughing penalty that extended the Steelers next drive (although I don't fault the guy for going all out), but when they did get the ball back they gave the Steelers a little taste of their own medicine. They ran the ball hard with Greene and Tomlinson...while at the same time attempting to stretch the field with verticals. They didn't connect on them but it kept the secondary honest, and allowed the Jets to exploit some holes in the zone underneath. Some nice play action between Sanchez and Edwards got things started. A key 4th and 1 pickup allowed the Jets to drive all the way down to the 1. At this point you need to use the strength of the running game to punch it in. On 3rd and goal, the Steelers were playing pass...and the Jets passed and failed. On 4th and goal the Steelers stacked the line expecting a run...and Tomlinson ran right into it. The Jets had a chance to really put the Steelers back on their heels on that drive.
A 17 play, 8 minute drive yielded nothing...until Big Ben fumbled the snap on the first Steeler play. He covered it up, but a safety and a free kick gives the Jets 2 points and another chance. They need to keep doing what they did on the previous drive and make the Steelers react to them instead of let the Steelers dictate what the offense does. I know it sounds cliché, but it's exactly what the Jets need to do with this next possession.
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