Nov 8, 2014 4 min read

MEADOWLANDS, N.J. – If Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wanted to get his team’s attention regarding the importance of its game today against the New York Jets, he needed only to throw in some tape of a 27-24 Pittsburgh loss at home to Tampa Bay earlier this season.

Or, he could have thrown on some tape of the Browns thumping the Bengals in Cincinnati Thursday night in a game that left Cleveland and Pittsburgh tied atop the AFC North standings at 6-3. That should provide plenty of motivation.

Or, he could have just shown tape of the Jets.

With even average quarterback play, the Jets could have three or four wins rather than the 1-8 record then take into today’s game at Giants Stadium.

“I know they are a 1-8 football team but I have a lot of respect for those guys, not only from a coaching standpoint but I think they have some quality players,” said Tomlin. “I think you can look and see some specific reasons why they are where they are. Obviously, those things are correctable. We have to be prepared to play good football against a good, tough football team at their place. I know they will be ready.”

Tomlin knows the Steelers can’t afford a letdown after Pittsburgh’s emotional 43-23 victory last Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

He’s pounded that point home to his team all week.

“Coach Tomlin told us that the Jets have 18 turnovers,” said guard Ramon Foster. “It’s tough to win like that. But that’s something that can change quickly. They’ve got a lot of good players over there. We know that. We know we have to bring our A game.”

Former West Virginia star Geno Smith accounted for 12 of those turnovers with 10 interceptions and two fumbles before Jets head coach Rex Ryan finally benched after a loss to Buffalo two weeks ago.

Michael Vick at quarterback started last week for the Jets, slowing the pace of the turnovers.

“Michael Vick, he’s still dangerous,” said Steelers inside linebacker Sean Spence, who is expected to start in place of injured Ryan Shazier, of the 34-year-old. “He can still get out of the pocket and beat you with his legs.”

What has to have the Jets worried, however, is their secondary. New York has allowed 24 touchdown passes, six more than any other team in the league.

Heading into a matchup against Ben Roethlisberger, who has thrown an NFL-record 12 touchdown passes in the past two games, has to have caused Ryan some sleepless nights.

“I’ve never seen him this hot,” said Ryan. “He’s still a great quarterback. He can make all the throws (and) hangs in there. Their vertical passing game has been absolutely tremendous. He’s really using (Le’Veon) Bell out of the backfield a bunch and that’s a big help. Antonio Brown has been lighting it up as well. I don’t know if the NFL has ever seen a two-game stretch like this (with) 12 touchdowns in two games.”

Roethlisberger isn’t worried about the NFL record for touchdown passes in a three-game stretch – 15 by Peyton Manning – he’s much more concerned about getting another win.

“Just win. That’s all that matters to me,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s the only thing that ever matters.”

That’s especially true with the AFC North race as tight as it is. All four teams are at .500 or better, the first time that has occurred this late in the season since the NFC South accomplished it in 2008.

All four NFC South teams finished at .500 or better that season and it’s looking like a similar fate awaits the AFC North.

A stumble could have the Steelers going from first to last place in the span of one weekend.

“You better respect teams when you step into stadiums,” Tomlin said. “We respect the Jets. I respect those guys and what they are capable of. And I respect anybody that we play week in and week out. There are no homecoming games. There are no 1-AA opponents, if you will, in the NFL.”

Veteran Will Allen will start at strong safety in place of Troy Polamalu, who is out with a knee injury for the Steelers. … Roethlisberger needs 20 completions to become the first Pittsburgh quarterback with 3,000 in his career. … Brown needs four receptions to tie Lynn Swann (336) for fifth place on the Steelers’ all-time list. … Darrin Walls Jr., a cornerback for the Jets, has been declared out of the game for New York with a calf injury. He is the son of former Waynesburg University basketball star Darrin Walls.