There's Something About Pittsburgh

It was a game no one thought they had a chance in. They were the overwhelming underdog, a team holding onto life, heading to Heinz Field to face an imposing Steelers team led by its defense.

Sound familiar?

That was the story heading into 2005’s Divisional Playoff game between the Steelers and Jets. It was a Steelers team that was the AFC’s top seed, 15-1 and riding a 14-game win streak. It was a Jets team that squeaked by the Chargers in San Diego the week before on the leg of Doug Brien in overtime.

That leg of Doug Brien did not have the same fortune come that Saturday in the Steel City. You don’t have to tell any Jets fan old enough to remember that twice. On that day, the Jets’ offense did not reach pay dirt. Their two touchdowns came on defense, a Reggie Tongue interception return, and special teams, a Santana Moss punt return.

Then Brien made history- just not the way Jets fans had hoped. From hero to goat, Brien missed two field goals in the final two minutes for the first time in playoff history. Jeff Reed made a field goal in overtime and just like that, Gang Green’s season came to an end in the most agonizing of fashions.

Fast forward, nearly six years later...week 15, 2010 regular season. It’s not the playoffs but the story’s much the same. It’s a game no one outside the diehards thinks the Jets have a chance in. They’re the underdog coming off two miserable inter-division performances, facing a 10-3 Steelers team with a defense that will be without Troy Polamalu but has been shutting down opponents.

The Jets bring with them a kicker in Nick Folk who has not inspired much confidence lately. They bring an offense that has bluntly not scored lately. It’s been nine quarters and two entire games since Sanchez and company have passed the goal line. Perhaps the most glaring misstep came from former a Steeler, Santonio Holmes’ drop on a sure touchdown last week against Miami.

Sunday marks the first time the Jets return to the scene of that miserable evening that reinforced a cannot-do culture among their fan base. It marks a chance for a karmatic redemption of sorts. Fans had come to drop that Same Old Jets mentality after Rex Ryan led an AFC championship run, then a 9-2 start in 2010. But now those old insecurities are reemerging.

Everyone is picking against the Jets- and maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it's a jolt of motivation a team that's looked near lifeless needs. The last time this was the story going into Pittsburgh they were one good boot from proving all the critics wrong and taking down the AFC powerhouse. Now a beleaguered squad has a chance to regain its swagger on a field full of nightmares past.

And hey, maybe karma is working in the Jets’ direction this time. I mean, Nick Folk has already had one three-miss game this season. The ghosts of Doug Brien past aren’t so cruel as to haunt another in green and white…right?