New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2010 Divisional Recap

Game story

In the Divisional of the 2010 NFL season on 2011-01-23, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 24–19 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Sanchez (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with +6.26 total EPA, and -0.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.60 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-7.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (12:37) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 34-R.Mendenhall INTERCEPTED by 58-B.Thomas at NYJ 34. 58-B.Thomas to NYJ 35 for 1 yard (34-R.Mendenhall).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +8.60 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Sanchez · New York Jets · Passing · +6.26 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Holmes · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.97 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Keller · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Greene · New York Jets · Rushing · +2.39 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Edwards · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
7. 7 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.18 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Cotchery · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall (Q1 50:59)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger (Q2 32:05)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Gay (Q2 31:23)
• New York Jets — S. Holmes (M. Sanchez pass) (Q3 27:22)
• New York Jets — J. Cotchery (M. Sanchez pass) (Q4 3:09)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q2 36:54)
• New York Jets — N. Folk (Q2 30:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q1 50:59) — (5:59) #79 Essex reports as eligible receiver. 34-R.Mendenhall right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q1 50:54) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 17–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NYJ 2 (Q2 36:54) — (6:54) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NYJ 2 (Q2 32:05) — (2:05) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 32:00) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 74 (Q2 31:23); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 31:13) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the PIT 25 (Q2 30:14) — (:14) (Field Goal formation) 2-N.Folk 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-9-S.Weatherford..

The third quarter: New York Jets won the period 7–0. New York Jets found the end zone from the PIT 45 (Q3 27:22) — (12:22) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 10-S.Holmes for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 27:13) — 2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-9-S.Weatherford..

The fourth quarter: New York Jets won the period 9–0. New York Jets registered a safety from the NYJ 99 (Q4 7:44) — (7:44) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 0, and recovers at PIT -1. 7-B.Roethlisberger tackled in End Zone, SAFETY (70-M.Devito).; New York Jets found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short left to 89-J.Cotchery for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 3:06) — 2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-9-S.Weatherford..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 42:37) — (12:37) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 34-R.Mendenhall INTERCEPTED by 58-B.Thomas at NYJ 34. 58-B.Thomas to NYJ 35 for 1 yard (34-R.Mendenhall). [WPA -7.5% · EPA -3.25]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:58) — (7:58) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles up the middle to NYJ 13 for 12 yards (24-D.Revis). [WPA +6.6% · EPA +1.96]
• New York Jets (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short left to 89-J.Cotchery for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.1% · EPA +1.75]
• New York Jets (Q1 50:05) — (5:05) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short right to 89-J.Cotchery to NYJ 41 for 14 yards (22-W.Gay). [WPA +5.9% · EPA +2.07]
• New York Jets (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez sacked at NYJ 20 for -6 yards (24-I.Taylor). FUMBLES (24-I.Taylor) [24-I.Taylor], RECOVERED by PIT-22-W.Gay at NYJ 19. 22-W.Gay for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assista [WPA -5.0% · EPA -6.98]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New York Jets (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez sacked at NYJ 20 for -6 yards (24-I.Taylor). FUMBLES (24-I.Taylor) [24-I.Taylor], RECOVERED by PIT-22-W.Gay at NYJ 19. 22-W.Gay for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assista [WPA -5.0% · EPA -6.98]
• New York Jets (Q3 27:22) — (12:22) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 10-S.Holmes for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.8% · EPA +4.38]
• New York Jets (Q4 7:50) — (7:50) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle to PIT 1 for no gain (99-B.Keisel, 98-C.Hampton). [WPA -1.3% · EPA -3.37]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 42:37) — (12:37) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 34-R.Mendenhall INTERCEPTED by 58-B.Thomas at NYJ 34. 58-B.Thomas to NYJ 35 for 1 yard (34-R.Mendenhall). [WPA -7.5% · EPA -3.25]

Quarterback report card

M.Sanchez led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Sanchez (New York Jets) · 39 dropbacks · 51.3% completion · -0.2% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.26 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 28 dropbacks · 35.7% completion · -4.7% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +8.60 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs +0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New York Jets: 9 drives, +2.22 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 drives, +7.30 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 50:59 · NYJ 1 · Score 0-6
   (5:59) #79 Essex reports as eligible receiver. 34-R.Mendenhall right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 50:54 · NYJ 2 · Score 0-7
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 36:54 · NYJ 2 · Score 0-10
   (6:54) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 32:05 · NYJ 2 · Score 0-16
   (2:05) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 32:00 · NYJ 2 · Score 0-17
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:23 · PIT 74 · Score 0-23
   (1:23) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez sacked at NYJ 20 for -6 yards (24-I.Taylor). FUMBLES (24-I.Taylor) [24-I.Taylor], RECOVERED by PIT-22-W.Gay at NYJ 19. 22-W.Gay for
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:13 · NYJ 2 · Score 0-24
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
8. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 30:14 · PIT 25 · Score 3-24
   (:14) (Field Goal formation) 2-N.Folk 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-9-S.Weatherford.
9. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 27:22 · PIT 45 · Score 9-24
   (12:22) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 10-S.Holmes for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 27:13 · PIT 2 · Score 10-24
    2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-9-S.Weatherford.
11. New York Jets Safety (+2) — Q4 7:44 · NYJ 99 · Score 12-24
    (7:44) 7-B.Roethlisberger FUMBLES (Aborted) at PIT 0, and recovers at PIT -1. 7-B.Roethlisberger tackled in End Zone, SAFETY (70-M.Devito).
12. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 3:09 · PIT 4 · Score 18-24
    (3:09) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short left to 89-J.Cotchery for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q4 3:06 · PIT 2 · Score 19-24
    2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-9-S.Weatherford.