FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Prediction: NYJ 10, PIT 20

The Jets have developed a troublesome trend. When they go against a team with a weaker defense, they score 20 to 30 points and win the game. When they face a good defense - they lose and lose in a big way. The Jets have fallen two games back of the Patriots and need to hold on to get a wildcard. The Steelers are on a four game winning streak and if they can win here will almost certainly get a first round bye.

QUARTERBACK: Mark Sanchez has come close to getting benched. HC Rex Ryan admitted it and that only makes sense given the sloppy and ineffective play of the last two weeks when he had no scores, never more than 216 passing yards and a total of four interceptions, one lost fumble and seven sacks. Last week was at home no less.

Now traveling to the Steelers is no time to expect a turnaround. No one other than Tom Brady has thrown for more than one touchdown if that much in Pittsburgh. The Steelers need this game and the Jets are reeling from their sudden inability to score. Stay away from all the players here this week.

RUNNING BACKS: LaDainian Tomlinson has really slowed down as the season progresses and has not been above 50 rushing yards in four weeks and his role as a receiver has declined to only two catches per game. Shonn Greene has been slightly more effective as a runner but rarely has much as a receiver and the split between the two negates what paltry fantasy value there could be in a backfield that has not scored a touchdown since week six. Offensive line problems are somewhat to blame.

The Steelers are #1 against running backs. Leave them on your bench.

WIDE RECEIVERS: It was all going well until two weeks ago and suddenly this unit struggles to hold onto catches or make a difference. Braylon Edwards as been the worst with never more than 40 yards for the last three games. Edwards only had two passes thrown to him last week. Jerricho Cotchery had 12 targets but only caught five for 69 yards last week and he only had nine yards on two catches in the New England game. Santonio Holmes has been more consistent with at least 50 or so yards be he has not scored in three weeks.

It is hard to recommend any of these players given the last couple of weeks and the venue on Sunday. But if one person will want to show up well here it will be Santonio Holmes playing in his old stadium. He is still a risk and one they will watch, but he already had the best chance of doing anything.

TIGHT ENDS: Dustin Keller has not scored since week four and offers marginal yardage each week at best.

Pregame Notes: Get through this week and it should be clear sailing to the end with only the Panthers and Browns left to play. Both the Ravens and the desire to get a first round bye should keep the Steelers playing in earnest through the final game.

QUARTERBACK: The most recent wins have had nothing to do with Ben Roethlisberger who threw only one score in the last three games though his yardage remains above 250 each week. This week he faces the Jets who have allowed at least one passing score to every road quarterback they have faced if not more than one. While "Revis Island" may count out one receiver each week, the rest are doing fairly well against this defense that has not played well away from home.

No reason to expect a big game here but expect at least one score from Roethlisberger and decent yardage. Like Sanchez, Big Ben has been less productive in recent weeks. He can coast the last two weeks - he needs to step up and win this game.

RUNNING BACKS: The Jets have a very good defense against the run no matter what the venue and no runner has topped 100 rushing yards on them all year. Rashard Mendenhall has been good with the scores with nine touchdowns so far but much lighter on the rushing yards this year. And his role as a receiver is down from 2009 as well.

Expect moderate total yardage from Mendenhall and a chance for one rushing touchdown if Big Ben does not throw in a second score.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The natural matchup for Darrelle Revis would be Hines Wards and it is likely that is where he will stay. But Mike Wallace would have a nice showing in that case and likely score once with decent yardage. It is a guessing game with the Jets since Revis can shut down anyone but the other guy typically does pretty well. Revis can obviously switch during the game as well to make it harder to gauge.

it's always going to be a risk starting any wideout against the Jets because of Revis and the reality is that very few have truly big games anyway. I like Wallace more in this game.

TIGHT ENDS: Heath Miller has marginal value as best. He has only one score on the season and turns in about three catches per week. At best he is a bye week filler.