It’s week four and the New York Jets are in Pittsburgh for an AFC bout with the Steelers. Here’s everything you need to know about these two 1-2 clubs.
What: NY Jets 1-2 at Pittsburgh Steelers 1-2
Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
When: 1pmET Sunday October 2nd 2022
Weather: Scattered showers and a high of 61 degrees.
Wagering Information: Steelers -3.5 O/U 41.5
Last Week: The Jets lost 27-12 to the Bengals while the Steelers lost last Thursday night in Cleveland 29-17
TV: CBS Greg Gumbel (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analysis), AJ Ross (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area: Very little of the nation will get this game with Buffalo-Baltimore being the bigger draw.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis), Missi Matthews (sideline),
Max Starks (sideline)
Westwood One Radio: N/A
Head Official: Brad Rogers. He is a college professor from Lubbock, Texas. Rogers is in his fourth season as a head official in the NFL. His most recent Steelers’ game was December of last year when the Steelers beat Tennessee in Pittsburgh. 12 accepted penalties were called.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Hamstring) – Out NYJ: LB Quincy Williams (Ankle) – Out, CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring) – Questionable
Injury Notes: Keep an eye on Pressely Harvin III who has battled a left hip issue all week. Kevin Dotson has had an ankle problem and Minkah Fitzpatrick is expected to clear concussion protocol.
2022 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 19th NYJ 20th Passing Offense: PIT 28th NYJ 5th Rushing Offense: PIT 23rd NYJ 26th
Total Defense: PIT 18th NYJ 26th Passing Defense: PIT 22nd NYJ 16th Rushing Defense: PIT 28th NYJ 14th
AFC North Rankings: Baltimore 2-1, Cleveland 2-1, Pittsburgh 1-2 , Cincinnati 1-2
This Week in the AFC North: Cleveland at Atlanta 1pmET, Buffalo at Baltimore 1pmET, TNF Cincinnati 27 Miami 15
What You Need to Know: The NYJ are averaging 370 yards per game while the Steelers are averaging 272 yards per game… Pittsburgh is 20-10 all-time on nine days rest… They are just 11-7 at home after nine days rest however… Mike Tomlin is 6-1 at home when his team has nine days of rest…Since 2007, the Steelers are 24-6 at home in the month of October… Pittsburgh is 0-6 when playing without T.J. Watt due to injury.
New York Jets Names to Know: QB Zach Wilson, QB Joe Flacco, RB Breece Hall, WR Garrett Wilson, CB Sauce Gardner, LB Kwon Alexander, WR Corey Davis, LB C.J. Mosley
What’s at Stake: Both teams find themselves in precarious positions within their divisions. Losing puts both in difficult situations should either of the division leaders win on Sunday. A loss is not a death sentence by any means but considering the schedules remaining for both, a win would certainly help.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 20-6 and lead at home 10-1.
Postseason History: Steelers lead 2-0
Steelers Game Highs vs NYJ: PASSING: Ben Roethlisberger 280 yards 2016 RUSHING: Barry Foster 190 yards 1992 RECEIVING: Jeff Graham 146 yards 1992 SACKS: Tim Johnson 2 1988 INTERCEPTIONS: D.J. Johnson (most recent) 1992
Last Meeting: December 2019 in NY. Jets 16 Steelers 10
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Find the Identity. We’ve heard for the last ten days how this offense doesn’t have an identity. There’s no question that begins and ends with Matt Canada. This is the perfect opportunity to start chiseling away at what he wants this offense to be. The offensive line has played better in each of the last three weeks, especially in regards to pass blocking. Canada has to build on that and use personnel and play-calls that build confidence and momentum. He has to find ways of getting the ball into the hands of Chase Claypool and George Pickens with Diontae Johnson likely lined up across from Sauce Gardner. Najee Harris looked much more confident in Cleveland and that has to continue as well. The bottom line is that Canada must find what works and build on it early and often.
2. Know When to Blitz. If it were only that simple right? Teryl Austin has to drum up more pressure on the opposing quarterback but he also knows he can’t be reckless about it either. His secondary isn’t the type to cover guys for long periods of time so if the rush doesn’t get home our defense is vulnerable. That said, he can’t rely on 60 minutes of just rushing four guys either. With Zach Wilson back at QB, the mobility of the position jumps significantly over Joe Flacco but Austin has to also hope the penchant for making mistakes (i.e. turnovers) does too.
3. Find Some Enthusiasm. I don’t find too much fault with the level of enthusiasm or energy when it comes to our defense but our offense is often times like the Walking Dead. I advocated starting Kenny Pickett this week almost entirely on the premise that this unit needs a jump start. Mitchell Trubisky doesn’t display much emotion at all and I’m not suggesting that’s the difference between winning and losing but man… There are times when your team needs to see some fire and competitive aggression from it’s leader.
Prediction: The curse of T.J. Watt currently has this team at 0-6 when he misses games due to injury. I also get the sense that people are overlooking this game simply because the Jets haven’t been very good in a long time. I fully expect Robert Saleh’s team to come out running the football. From there, the play-action game should follow. If the Steelers can’t force the Jets out of their desire to run then forget it. Offensively, the Steelers have to sustain drives. Some can even result in no scores as long as they give the defense ample time to rest. Someone on this offense is going to have a big day and I expect the defense to force at least two turnovers. It won’t be pretty but…
Steelers 22 Jets 16
Season Record 2-1
