Steelers – Jets Pre Game Buzz: Will Jets loss of Revis or Steelers without Polamalu, Harrison have bigger impact today?

Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.

Odds: Pittsburgh -6.5

The inactives are in and, as expected, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison highlight the Steelers inactives and won’t play today. Chris Carter will start at ROLB and Ryan Mundy moves over to get the start at strong safety as Ryan Clark returns to the lineup. Also inactive for Pittsburgh is Rashard Mendenhall, Stevenson Sylvester, Charlie Batch, Kelvin Beachum and Alameda Ta’amu.

The big storyline for this afternoon’s game is whether the Jets loss of Darrell Revis or Pittsburgh not having Troy Polamalu and James Harrison ends up having a bigger impact in today’s game

A key matchup for today’s game coming in was going to be Pittsburgh’s elite group of wide receivers vs the Jets elite secondary. No Revis gives Pittsburgh a clear advantage and potential for some one-on-one advantages on the outside, but this is still going to be a Jets group that can play physical with CB Antonio Cromartie and two very physical safeties in Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry.

However, what the loss of Revis does is possibly lead to Rex Ryan being less aggressive in zone and man blitz packages which makes this Jets defense so dangerous and opportunistic.

Last week Peyton Manning carved up Steelers defense with excellent reads and a quick passing game. The positive for Pittsburgh is that Mark Sanchez can’t read defenses like Manning but if the Steelers don’t get pressure like they didn’t do in the final three quarters vs Denver, then the Steelers could be in trouble.

However, look for LaMarr Woodley to have a big game vs RT Austin Howard and to be a difference maker in today’s game.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 27 – New York 20