The Pittsburgh Steelers held off a second-half rally by the New York Jets to win, 24-19, Sunday night. The Steelers advance to the Super Bowl to face the Green Bay Packers in two weeks. It is the second year in a row the Jets have come up one win short of making the Super Bowl (the team's one and only appearance came in Super Bowl III in 1969).
For the Steelers, this year's game will mark their eighth overall appearance in the Super Bowl and third appearance since 2005 (they won in 2005 and 2008).
Following their 24-3 lead at halftime, the Steelers did not score at all in the second half. But the Jets were unable to muster more than two touchdowns and a safety over the final two quarters of play. Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes completed a 45-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter, though things quieted down for the rest of the quarter. A Mike DeVito safety and a Jerricho Cotchery touchdown made it 24-19. However, the Steelers ran out the rest of the clock after the ensuing kickoff.
The Super Bowl takes place at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Feb. 6.