Former Steelers coach Cowher picks Jets

Count former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher as a New York Jets believer.

When asked who he liked this week when the Jets visit the Steelers for the AFC Championship, Cowher sided with Gang Green.

“I’ll tell you what, Pittsburgh may have some issues this weekend,” Cowher said in an interview on WFAN . “The way the Jets are playing, I’m telling you this is going to be a game, I think it will be a classic game, and I like the Jets. They made believers out of me with what they did. They match up well, I think it’s going to be a tough ballgame, but they certainly have all the ingredients to go to the Super Bowl.”

“(Jets offensive coordinator) Brian Schottenheimer has to be patient enough to run the ball against the Steelers,” Cowher said. “You may not have success, but that will slow down (LaMarr) Woodley, that will slow down (James) Harrison; that’s the best pass protection you got is getting those guys to respect the run. Shorten this game, if you can keep Ben Roethlisberger off the field like they kept Tom Brady and Peyton Manning off the field, that’s the best defense you have.”