The New York Jets will be fighting to save their season against a Pittsburgh Steelers team making a strong case to be the class of the AFC.
Pittsburgh’s offense put 43 points on the board last time out at Heinz Field, and will look to exploit an under-performing Jets defense this Sunday. Despite a host of talent, New York’s D has been an easy mark for opposing quarterbacks this season.
Head coach Todd Bowles and coordinator Kacy Rodgers need to find answers for the malaise. If not, the Jets will be embarrassed by the high-powered Steelers.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger still has a prolific connection with Antonio Brown, the NFL‘s best wide receiver. But Brown is also receiving competent support from Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey. They’re helping mitigate the damage of Martavis Bryant’s suspension.
But the Steelers aren’t just victimizing defenses through the air. Not when DeAngelo Williams and Le’Veon Bell are splitting carries in a diverse and devastating running game.
Ebony Bird
Bell’s return, in particular, makes the Steelers an even more dangerous proposition for defenses. However, Bell and Williams may struggle to get on track against a Jets unit loaded up front.
Linemen Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson make life a nightmare for most runners. The Steelers would be best served letting Roethlisberger keep the ball in the air. After all, it’s where the Jets are weakest.
Bowles’ pass defense has allowed the highest completion percentage from opponents targets in the league, with 72 percent of passes finding their mark, according to Sporting Charts.
Part of the problem has been a noticeable decline from veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis. The 31-year-old is uncertain for Sunday’s game thanks to a mild hamstring strain, per Daniel Popper of the New York Daily News. If Revis can go, he must turn the clock back to his days as the premier shutdown cover man in football.
His motivation may come from returning home to show the Steelers what they missed. The Pittsburgh native admitted he might have signed for the six-time Super Bowl winners in 2015, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler:
Darrelle Revis said free agent talks with Steelers in 2015 were more than complimentary: "There was definitely an interest there."
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 5, 2016
If Revis and the Jets defense are under pressure, it’s nothing compared to the heat on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He’s thrown nine interceptions the last two weeks, turnovers that are wasting the talents of a capable supporting cast led by running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
Date: Sunday, October 9
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Venue: Heinz Field
TV: CBS
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
It’s difficult to see any defense stopping a Pittsburgh offense on a roll and brimming with so many game-breaking playmakers.
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But the Jets still have enough talent on both sides of the ball to make this a rough afternoon for Roethlisberger and Co., provided their big players can regain their best form.