Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at New York Jets (1-8)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Otis Livingston

*Keys to the game: Ben Roethlisberger is about the last person the Jets’ injury-riddled secondary needs to see on the opposite side of the ball. Big Ben set an NFL record with six touchdown passes in consecutive games and has a wide receiver corps that now runs at least five deep and shuttles in personnel according to the situation. The Jets failed to adequately address their secondary issues during the offseason, suffered multiple injuries and started a converted safety (Antonio Allen) and an undrafted rookie from North Dakota State (Marcus Williams) last week.

So what is the Jets’ path to a massive upset? It begins with the league’s third-ranked ground game, which now includes the mobility of QB Michael Vick. While the Steelers are ranked 11th against the run, it’s in large part due to several opponents abandoning the run while digging out of big deficits. The reality is Pittsburgh has struggled against strong running teams, including 191 and 158 yards in two games against the Browns and 157 in the first meeting against Baltimore. But if the Jets fall behind and RBs Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson aren’t the focal point, the team’s minus-15 turnover ratio could add another significant negative number.

Friday injury report:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

–Out: S Troy Polamalu (knee), LB Ryan Shazier (ankle), CB Ivan Taylor (forearm), S Shamarko Thomas (hamstring), S Ross Ventrone (hamstring)

–Probable: DE Cameron Heyward (not injury related), WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring), DE Brett Keisel (not injury related), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), S Michael Mitchell (not injury related), C Maurkice Pouncey (not injury related), LB Jason Worilds (abdomen)

NEW YORK JETS

–Out: CB Darrin Walls (calf)

–Probable: T Oday Aboushi (shoulder), LB Antwan Barnes (knee), G Willie Colon (knee), T Breno Giacomini (illness), LB David Harris (shoulder), WR Percy Harvin (heel), RB Chris Johnson (ankle), WR Jeremy Kerley (not injury related), C Nick Mangold (shoulder), LB Trevor Reilly (knee), DT Sheldon Richardson (illness), WR Greg Salas (wrist), QB Geno Smith (right shoulder), QB Michael Vick (foot), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (illness)

*Matchup to watch – Steelers defensive vs. Jets WR Percy Harvin: Pittsburgh’s defense lacks great team speed, and Harvin is getting up to full speed in the offense. Catching 11 of his team-high 13 targets last week for 129 yards.

*Player spotlight – Steelers S Will Allen: Allen will start for Troy Polamalu (knee sprain). While Allen brings 11 years of NFL experience, he lacks Polamalu’s instincts and dynamic big-play flair.

*Fast facts: Steelers rookie WR Martavis Bryant has five touchdown catches over the past three games. … The Jets’ eight-game losing streak is the franchise’s longest since 1996.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Yes, there is a formula for the Jets to push the game into the fourth quarter. But this is a team that has played below its talent level all season, and runs into Roethlisberger on a record tear against a defense starting a cornerback it picked up off the street in September.

*Our pick: Steelers 33-20