What to look for: AFC Championship Game

It's set. The New York Jets are coming back to Pittsburgh. They are taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The last time these two teams met, just weeks ago, the Jets left with their first ever win in the state of Pennsylvania by a score of 22-17.

Here is a preview of some key match-ups for Sunday's AFC Championship Game:

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Darrelle Revis/Antonio Cromartie
This match-up will be big. Revis basically shuts down one side of the field. Cromartie isn't a shutdown corner like Revis, but he is a very gifted CB who can make big plays.

Last time these two teams met, Revis covered Hines Ward while Cromartie covered Mike Wallace. Whichever player Revis covers, consider him out of the game, that is how good Revis is.

The key in this match-up is Ben Roethlisberger's pump fake and ability to extend a play. The pump fake could easily fake Cromartie, who often relies on his athletic ability and speed to make plays. He's been burned on stop-and-go routes throughout his career because he will try to jump the route. Add Ben's pump fake, and Cromartie can be burned by the speedy Mike Wallace.

Roethlisberger's ability to extend a play is what can undo Revis. Not even the best corner can cover a wide receiver for 10 seconds. If Ben breaks containment, all hell can break loose and Revis can lose his coverage.

Steelers Offensive Line vs. Jets Front Seven
The Steelers' offensive line has had trouble protecting Ben. The Jets like to blitz. They didn't do much blitzing versus the New England Patriots, but I fully expect them to go back to their normal ways against the Steelers.

Jonathon Scott is a backup left tackle. Flozell Adams has played fairly well. Ramon Foster and Trai Essex have both started at guard during the regular season. The best player on the offensive line is rookie center Maurkice Pouncey.

The Steelers offensive line is going to have to pickup not only the defensive line, they can and will send any combination of linebackers and defensive backs. If the line can't give Ben Roethlisberger a little protection, he might just get demolished.

Also, the line needs to seal off run lanes for Rashard Mendenhall. He may not get a ton of yards, however we need him to get some chunks to keep the defense honest.

Heath Miller vs. Eric Smith/Brodney Pool
In the last meeting, Heath Miller wasn't available due to a concussion. He can be an ex-factor in this game. He is big and powerful when he has the ball in his hands and he's faster than DB's think he is. He is truly a mismatch, especially in the red zone. He wouldn't have dropped the two balls thrown to his backup Matt Spaeth in the first meeting between these two.

Mark Sanchez vs. Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu wasn't active for the first meeting with the Jets. Polamalu is a game changer on this defense. He didn't really do anything against the Ravens, but that is because Joe Flacco stayed away from him throughout the game.

Sanchez is going to have to do a good job of knowing where Polamalu is before every snap, but that might not do much good. But if he can find Polamalu after the snap, he could have success by just staying away from him.

James Harrison/LaMarr Woodley vs. Jets' Offensive Line
Harrison and Woodley are pass rushing terrors, but the Jets' offensive line has done a good job of protecting Sanchez in the playoffs. But if anyone in the NFL can get past the protection, it's this duo. If they can pressure Sanchez, he will make mistakes. Throw the ball too early, loft a pass that's an easy interception. Get into his head, make him hear footsteps that aren't even coming.

Steelers' Corners vs. Braylon Edwards/Santonio Holmes
Bryant McFadden's availability for this game is up in the air at the moment after Ike Taylor took him out in the game against the Ravens. We really need McFadden because Edwards and Holmes are both big play makers.

The Steelers know all about Santonio Holmes, they gave him away to the Jets. The Super Bowl 43 Most Valuable Player will want to show the Steelers that they shouldn't have traded him away and take the Jets to the Super Bowl.

Braylon Edwards also has a history with the Steelers. He used to play for the division rival Cleveland Browns. Edwards has made some big catches in the playoffs for the Jets. We make fun of him for dropping passes, but he hasn't done that at all in the playoffs.

Our secondary is going to have to be playing their best ball. Both of these receivers can gain separation, unlike Baltimore's receivers.

Lawrence Timmons vs. LaDanian Tomlinson
Timmons lead the Steelers in tackles this past season. Tomlinson had a career rebirth in New York. Tomlinson is also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, evidenced by a touchdown catch last week against the Patriots. When Tomlinson leaves the backfield, I expect Timmons to be in coverage on Tomlinson at least somewhat. Either in a zone or man-to-man and then handing him off to a safety. This should be a fun match-up to watch.