New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers: prediction, preview, pick to win

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh. TV -- CBS, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn

SERIES HISTORY: 23rd regular-season meeting. Steelers lead series, 17-5. Steelers are 9-1 at home against the Jets, including a 24-19 victory in the 2011 AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field. The Jets' only victory in Pittsburgh came one month before that title game on Dec. 19, 2010.

GAMEDATE: 10/9/16

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has tossed nine interceptions over the past two games, and that was despite being very cautious at the outset of last week's game against the Steelers. While the Jets need Fitzpatrick to reign in the turnovers, they also can't afford for him to be timid in pulling the trigger. Pittsburgh enters with the fourth-ranked defense while giving up an average of 316.5 passing yards per game, and Fitzpatrick will have to keep pace with the Steelers' high octane offense. Opponents are averaging 4.0 yards per carry against Pittsburgh, but the Jets' ability to remain competitive lies directly with Fitzpatrick moving the ball through the air while avoiding picks. And he continues to work against a stacked deck with wide receivers Eric Decker and Jalin Marshall still sitting out practice midweek due to shoulder injuries.

Just as concerning to the Jets is their secondary, which continues to suffer communication and assignment breakdowns, with several receivers roaming free downfield against Seattle. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has already thrown 11 touchdown passes and will pick apart the Jets' secondary if given the time, especially with cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring) questionable. That puts a big onus on New York's defensive line to dominate the trenches. The Steelers have struggled to run the ball at times this season, although Le'Veon Bell is back from suspension and on fresh legs. The Jets enter with the league's second-best run defense and must be able to get after Big Ben on long passing downs.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Steelers OLBs Arthur Moats/Jarvis Jones vs. Jets RB Matt Forte: Forte leads the Jets with 288 yards on 81 carries, but his value is just as important in the passing game as he has teamed with backup Bilal Powell for 26 receptions for 186 yards. They are important safety nets for Fitzpatrick and can help serve to slow down the Steelers' pressure schemes that were so effective in last week's blowout of Kansas City. Jones is questionable with an ankle injury.

--Steelers LG B.J. Finney vs. Jets NT Steve McClendon: Finney is expected to get his second consecutive start with Ramon Foster still recovering from a chest injury. The former undrafted rookie and practice squad member played solidly against Kansas City last week. McClendon signed with the Jets this offseason after spending his first six seasons with the Steelers. He has a pair of sacks through four games and will team with RDE Muhammad Wilkerson in attempting to exploit Finney's inexperience.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Jets WR Quincy Enunwa -- Quick, who leads the Jets in receptions? That would be Enunwa, whose 23 catches for 243 yards is well ahead of Brandon Marshall's 16 catches. The 6-2, 225-pound third-year player is a versatile athlete the Jets even use as a tight end in some packages.

FAST FACTS:

Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is on pace to throw 40 interceptions for the season. The NFL single-season record is 42, set by George Blanda in 1962.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 18 touchdown passes in his past five home games and aims for his sixth consecutive home game with at least three touchdown passes. Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Blanda and Tom Brady are the only quarterbacks to throw five-plus touchdown passes at least five times in a career.

PREDICTION:

Ben Roethlisberger has been nearly unstoppable in his past six home games, and this sets up as a scary matchup for the Jets' 27th-ranked pass defense that could be minus Darrelle Revis. And Ryan Fitzpatrick being asked to go punch for punch in a shootout is a dangerous concept right now.

OUR PICK: Steelers, 34-23

--Derek Harper.