AFC Championship Week: Tomlin Presser Notes & Analysis

By Dale Grdnic

PITTSBURGH -- The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers played the New York Jets, Dec. 19, 2010 at Heinz Field, the visitors came away with a 22-17 victory.

But the Steelers weren't outplayed. They gave up a kickoff return for a score to open the game, which accounted for the points difference, while the Steelers tallied more total yardage and first downs. Also, the Steelers did not have tight end Heath Miller or strong safety Troy Polamalu, impact players on both sides of the line.

The Steelers (13-4) expect to have a full roster available when they play the Jets (13-5) in the AFC championship game Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Heinz Field.

"From an injury standpoint, we're in great shape,'' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. "Jonathan Scott's going to be all right. Will Allen's got a knee sprain. He'll be limited during the early portions of the week, and then we'll see where that takes us. Bryant McFadden has an abdominal strain.

"So, he's going to be limited as well. And we'll limit Troy (Polamalu) like we always do. So, if we're going to err, we're going to err on the side of caution. We'll make sure that Troy's at Heinz Field Sunday at 6. Flozell is doing better with his illness. Aaron Smith is going to practice this week, but we'll see where that practice participation takes us.''

Tomlin added that Smith