New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Conference Championships

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Conference Championships: I know the Steelers didn’t party like it was 1999 when they beat the Ravens to get a spot in the AFC Championship game. I know they are expecting bigger and better things, with the Super Bowl on their “to do” list. I can’t say the same about the Jets, a team that acted like last week was the first time they’ve ever won a football game before. I think they’ve been great thus far, and getting past the Pats was a major stepping-stone. I’m sure the Steelers are happy about that as well. While both defenses are nasty, and the Steelers lost at home to the Jets once already this season, I still think Pittsburgh has the advantage in this match-up. I’ve already seen Pitt win the Super Bowl, a couple times, and I’ve had plenty of that – but picking with my brain has them getting a chance to ring another finger.

Anytime a team is getting as much hype as the Jets, they aren’t a value pick. I’m sure there’s an exception to that rule, but it’s hard to argue that case. Underdogs often out perform super-teams in terms of the spread, and while nobody is trying to claim that the Jets are the super-team in comparison to the Steelers, nobody can argue that they are the media sweethearts headed into the final weeks of NFL football.

This is a Jets team that talks the talk before walking the walk, though so far their walk isn’t far behind their talk. They put on a show for us with HBO’s “Hard Knocks” then told the Patriots they were going to whip them good all week. The Super-Bowl favorite Patriots. And they did.

But it comes down to mentality, and I think the Jets will lose a bit after “finally” conquering the Patriots last week. If they feel like they’ve already won, that chip has less weight on their collective shoulder. Make it two for two with home team picks this week.

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)