Steelers Scouting Report: New York Jets, Week 7
Steel City Underground scouts the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents each week of the 2024 NFL regular season ahead of the games to inform fans of the latest news, roster moves, important players, and latest social media chatter.
The 4-2 Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host the 2-4 New York Jets this Sunday night at 7:20 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers will be wearing throwback jerseys that honor the upcoming 50th anniversary of Super Bowl IX; it was the first Lombardi Trophy the team earned and started the dynasty that has endured throughout the years.
A lot has changed in the storied organizations – both having won Super Bowls in the same era with Joe Namath and Terry Bradshaw respectively – and their Sunday matchup will feature two teams who would like to put their own stamp on NFL history. In order to understand in detail the success of the teams, you can also familiarize yourself with the NFL Win Totals.
Here are some of the key factors to scout for in this game.
Quarterback situations
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had a rough go of it since returning from injury in 2023. The 40-year old has dealt with miscommunication with his receivers, dropped passes, miscues on the field, the firing of Robert Saleh, and the implementation of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach.
Add the dissatisfaction with game officials in the Jets’ loss to the Buffalo Bills and Rodgers’ public airing of grievances and there’s a recipe of uncertainty in where his head is at as he prepares to face the Steelers’ destructive defense during the primetime Sunday Night Football game.
As for Pittsburgh, the fanbase is restless after head coach Mike Tomlin indicated this week that Russell Wilson and Justin Fields would both prepare for the game as if either would be given the QB1 resignation come gametime. That stirred debate.
Fields has carried the Steelers offense through six weeks. His play has been both hot and cold, but he played his (arguably) best game in black and gold during the Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Is it fair to take the spot from him and give it to Wilson who’s proven nothing on the field this season; a veteran who has only dressed as an emergency quarterback this far and is coming off of a calf injury that limited his practices for weeks?
There’s no easy answer to the questions swirling around the quarterback situation the Steelers have. The true answer will come on Sunday night.
Related content:
- Bill Belichick believes the Steelers have the best quarterback situation in the NFL
- Is it time for Russell Wilson to start over Justin Fields?
Which receiver will show up for their team?
After six weeks, Steelers fans are still left wondering why offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has not included more plays to the team’s wide receivers or who, other than George Pickens, is even in consideration for spots on the field. And, even Pickens, had not had a spectacular season this far.
Through six weeks, the Steelers have 107 completed passes for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns.
Looking at those numbers, however, tight end Pat Freiermuth owns 22 of those receptions and 2 touchdowns. Pickens’ stat line is 26 receptions for 363 yards and no touchdown. After that, Calvin Austin has 10 catches for 167 yards and 1 touchdown.
Everything drops off after that. Tight end Darnell Washington and WR Van Jefferson have just 14 catches between them; Washington has a touchdown catch. Connor Hayward (TE) and Scotty Miller (WR) have a combined two touchdown catches out of their total of six snags.
Yes, Pittsburgh wants to run the ball, but those receiving numbers give opponents a heads-up that they can stack the box because they’re not fearing the pass attack.
As for the Jets, they acquired Davante Adams from the Raiders after he was a scratch in Week 6 against Pittsburgh due to injury. Suddenly, he’s signed-off on playing fully for the Jets. The guy Steelers fans were begging the Steelers to sign wanted a reunion with Rodgers, and he got it.
Garrett Wilson led Jets receivers through six weeks of play with 41 catches for 399 yards followed by Alan Lazard with 26 receptions or 354 yards. That duo has accounted for 8-of-10 receiving touchdowns. Running backs Breece Hall (1) and Braelon Allen (1) accounted for the other two. Tight ends Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert have largely been ignored.
The Jets favor the pass over the run, even though Hall is a dangerous weapon in all aspects offensively.
The addition of Adams may boost the completion totals for Rodgers, and the team, if the duo can get on the same page they were on when both were on the Green Bay Packers roster.
Jets want big defense performance against Steelers
The Jets defense doesn’t stack up using the eye test against the Steelers defense statistically, but defenses don’t play each other. And the eye-test is often deceptive.
The Jets have made 2 interceptions through six weeks (both by Brandin Echols), defended 21 passes, and forced 4 fumbles. Will McDonald leads the Jets with 7.0 sacks to the 20.0 total the defense shares. Quinnen Williams and Michael Clemons have 2.0 and 2.5 sacks, respectively.
The Steelers will, once again, have a different look on the offensive line in Week 7. Ryan McCollum, who took over at center for an injured Zach Frazier last week, will get the start. James Daniels at left tackle will once again be tasked with leadership with a young line that will be tested.
The Jets defense ranks 2nd in the league in average yards allowed and are 2nd in total defense. Where they have been weaker is in run defense, where they’re currently ranked 17th. In the red zone, they’re ranked 13th.
