PREVIEW \ Steelers vs. Jets
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Heinz FieldTV/radio: (27) (19) (2) (WBBG-FM 106.1)Series history: Steelers lead 15-2.
Last meeting: Steelers beat Jets 17-6 on Dec. 12, 2004, at Pittsburgh.Last postseason meeting: First postseason meeting.Key matchup: Jets RB Curtis Martin vs. Steelers LBs Joey Porter and James Farrior. In December, Steelers held Martin to 72 yards on 24 carries, a 3.0 average. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the regular season. He led NFL with 1,697 yards and 371 carries. Jets are 2-4 when Martin gains less than 90 yards rushing. Steelers' lone loss came in Week 2 when Ravens rushed for 172 yards. In last 10 games, Steelers have allowed opponents -- as a team -- to break 100 yards rushing just twice. That includes stretch when they held New England and Philadelphia to 28 total yards rushing in back-to-back games. Porter and Farrior are both Pro Bowlers, and will be looking to shut down Martin.Streaks, stats and notes: Game features AP Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and Jets LB Jonathan Vilma. ... Jets starting QB Chad Pennington missed practice Wednesday with stomach virus, while backup Quincy Carter went home to Georgia to be with ailing mother. Coach Herman Edwards said Pennington would be ready by Saturday. ... Against common opponents Steelers are 8-1, Jets are 5-4. ... Jets are 0-6 all-time in Pittsburgh. Steelers were undefeated at home this season. ... Steelers topped NFL with 618 carries this season, nearly twice their total passes (358). Jets were third with 527 carries. ... Jets were second in NFL in regular season with plus-17 turnover differential. Steelers were plus-11. ... Edwards (DB, 1977-85) and Steelers coach Bill Cowher (LB, 1983-84) were teammates with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last time former teammates met in playoffs as head coaches was in 1990 AFC wild-card game when Cincinnati's Sam Wyche defeated Houston's Jack Pardee 41-14. Both played for Redskins from 1971-72.
Associated Press