It’s a new generation and there’s a different stadium, but Pittsburgh’s defense still is constructed from stainless steel.
The Jets have one option on Sunday: thwart the Steelers’ devastating D, or fall further into the December abyss. For Gang Green’s offensive line, it’s nothing short of the biggest test of the season.
“Maybe not this season, but maybe up to this point,” Jet center Kevin Mawae said after practice yesterday. “It’s the biggest challenge, because it’s the next challenge.
“That’s the approach we’re gonna take this week.”
The Jets (7-4) have a great road approach: they’re 5-0 away from the Meadowlands this year, but they’ve never faced a defense like this in hostile territory. The Steel Curtain is first in sacks, first in run defense and first in total defense in the NFL.
The Steelers have only allowed an average of 12.5 points per game. Gang Green’s offense was as unsightly as a rotten tomato last week, and the Steelers want to pound the Jets into ketchup at Heinz Field.
“They’ve got some really fast linebackers who do a good job of getting to the ball,” Mawae said. “They like to bring a lot of blitz stuff, and that’s where they’ve been disrupting offenses.
“So if we can pick up their blitz, that’s gonna give us a better chance to be able to move the ball. Obviously, we have to give the ball to Curtis [Martin] as many times as possible.”
Pittsburgh linebackers Jason Gildon (seven sacks) and Joey Porter (eight) are pass-rush machines. The Steelers work out of a 3-4 defense, something that’s rare but effective.
“They bring so much pressure,” Jet coach Herman Edwards said. “There’s going to be different situations when the backs will have to pick up the pressure and help block.
“And if they hit us on one, we can’t get discouraged and panic and start seeing ghosts.”
“They rush five, and you’re saying, ‘They rushed seven that time, Coach.’ No, they only rushed five. They just came a different way.”
Edwards hopes to stop Pittsburgh’s blitzing by emphasizing the run. He trotted out the statistic that the Jets are 15-0 when Curtis Martin touches the ball 30 times via rush or pass, and wants the tailback to be a workhorse this weekend. Edwards said the Jets are 1-3 this year when Martin gets fewer than 20 carries.
Edwards also said the Jets are right where they want to be. Without naming them, he cited last year’s Super Bowl Ravens and Giants as examples of 7-4 teams.
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Wide receiver Santana Moss did not practice due to a sore left quad, but is listed as probable.