Ben Roethlisberger will play for the Steelers
Not that there was any doubt as to Roethlisberger's availability for this game, but the fact he's taking an unprecedented hot streak into Week 10 should create enough issues for the struggling Jets' pass-defense to think the Steelers can win this game comfortably. Along with Roethlisberger's 12 touchdown passes in his last two games (More than Jets' QBs Geno Smith and Michael Vick have all season), he has thrown for an average of 375 yards per game in his last three without throwing an interception (although he did lose a fumble). He's the hottest player in the NFL, and that's a tough assignment to stop when your secondary is as banged-up as the Jets'.
Red Zone dominance
Not only is Roethlisberger en fuego, he's leading a Steelers' offense that has converted 83.3 percent of its red-zone trips to touchdowns during their last three games - the fourth-best mark in the NFL. The Steelers have suddenly turned into an efficient and powerful tight-space passing offense that's on point with both its play-selection as well as its execution. This offense has moved the ball well enough all season, it just didn't finish drives with touchdowns often enough to vault it into the highest tier of scoring. Not coincidentally, the Steelers are nearly flawless in the red-zone in their last three games, and they're 3-0.
General offense
The offense is now seventh in scoring with 27.6 points per game and third in yards with 413.6 in the NFL. Much of that is fueled by their explosion since Week 7 and, while the Jets have one of the more stout run defenses in the league (their 3.5 yards per carry is fifth in the NFL), their pass-defense has been woeful; their 112.8 passer-rating-against is by far the highest total in the league. On paper, the Steelers should be attacking the Jets in a passing game and, more than anything, they'll use more spread formations than they have previously. That puts the game in the hands of their league MVP candidate, Roethlisberger, which is exactly where it should go.
Sacks are plentiful
The Jets have allowed 25 sacks this season, the fourth-highest mark in the NFL. They're meeting a Steelers team that is, for the first time in three years, beginning to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. While second-year quarterback Geno Smith was a bigger contributor toward that total than Vick is likely to be today, the Steelers are getting excellent contributions from veteran outside linebacker James Harrison, as well as from defensive end Cameron Heyward. That combination has helped the Steelers establish pressure and take the air out of the sails of the passing games of Baltimore and Houston in two of their last three games.
Steelers East
MetLife Stadium will be full of Steelers fans for this game - so much so that the Jets have been practicing silent counts this week to prepare for crowd noise when they have the ball. Pittsburgh will still be in their white jerseys, but it will be as close to a home game for them as they're going to get outside of the 412 area code. In that, they should feel plenty comfortable clinging to their current winning streak. They're sitting on the edge of their first four-game winning streak since 2012. A win would put them alone in first place of the AFC North for the first time since 2012 as well, going up a half-game over the Browns. Crowd noise should be a factor and an aggressive game plan should bring that crowd into it early.
Remember to tune into BTSC's postgame show, Steelers Final Score, about 10 minutes after the game ends. You can listen in by clicking on this link, and call in at (347) 850-8581.