It’s been fairly an attention-grabbing week for the Pittsburgh Steelers forward of their Week 7 matchup in opposition to the New York Jets.
Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are eyeing a QB change from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson, whereas the Jets added star receiver Davante Adams through commerce earlier within the week. The transfer reunited him with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, giving the Jets an explosive playmaker for Rodgers to work with.
What seemed to be a tricky matchup in opposition to the Jets received a lot tougher with the addition of Adams. Issues received a bit harder for the Steelers offense, too, with the change to Wilson, who hasn’t performed all season and can now be going up in opposition to an amazing protection behind an offensive line now beginning its third-string middle.
Fairly the week, certainly.
Right here at Steelers Depot, we’re doing one thing new this season. Whereas Alex Kozora and Dave Bryan give their in-depth breakdown and preview of the sport weekly on The Horrible Podcast, Joe Clark, Ross McCorkle, Scott Brown, Troy Montgomery, and I are doing a weekly roundtable, answering key questions forward of every sport.
Right now, we look at the Steelers’ Week 7 Sunday Evening Soccer matchup between the Jets and Steelers.
QUESTION 1: WHO IS THE STEELERS’ X FACTOR AGAINST THE JETS?
Josh Carney: CB Donte Jackson. With the Jets touchdown WR Davante Adams through commerce earlier within the week, there will likely be an amazing emphasis on slowing him down with CB Joey Porter Jr. and a few security assist from Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott. That would depart Jackson on an island in opposition to an amazing receiver in Garrett Wilson for the Jets.
Jackson has performed some excellent soccer thus far this season and has allowed simply 55% of targets in opposition to him to be accomplished with one of many lowest QBRs in opposition to by way of six weeks. It’s Aaron Rodgers on the opposite aspect of the sector, although. Jackson might want to have a great sport in opposition to the Jets and Wilson to assist the Steelers’ protection keep above water within the secondary in opposition to a loaded extensive receiver group for the Jets.
He’s been every part anticipated thus far with the Steelers, however he must have his greatest sport but on Sunday evening.
Joe Clark: RB Najee Harris. Harris is coming off his greatest sport of the season in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders, and with Russell Wilson at quarterback, the Steelers would profit if they will get a lift from their run sport but once more. Harris ran laborious and was environment friendly in opposition to the Raiders, and if he can run with the identical vigor in opposition to the Jets (and the road opens issues up for him), Pittsburgh will likely be in a great spot.
The Jets have allowed 124.2 dashing yards per sport, which is seventeenth within the league. It’s not a spectacular run protection by any means, and Harris ought to be capable of get his. If the run sport falters prefer it did in Week 4 and for elements of Week 5, although, will probably be an extended day on offense.
Ross McCorkle: RB Jaylen Warren. I feel it’s about time he will get unleashed. He’s clearly able to rather more than what he has finished this season, and he must be ramped again up after that knee harm that held him out. Russell Wilson liked throwing to working backs final 12 months. That would imply massive issues for Warren.
Scott Brown: CB Joey Porter Jr. Speak about a possibility for Lil Peezy. Primetime in opposition to a Jets WR corps that’s now completely loaded. Even when he doesn’t shadow Davante Adams, who torched the Steelers final 12 months as a Raider, JPJ (and Donte Jackson) will likely be a lot busy.
Garrett Wilson, Diontae Johnson 2.0, could be WR1 in Pittsburgh. Allen Lazard as a No. 3 is Allen Robinson II 4.0. Porter has had a high-quality season. If he desires to be thought of elite, he must be a purpose why the Steelers beat the Jets.
Troy Montgomery: OLB Alex Highsmith. Highsmith has been out of motion since Week 3, and his absence has been felt, particularly after Nick Herbig additionally went down. Highsmith could solely have one sack thus far this 12 months, however his run protection has been sorely missed. Even when he’s not at 100%, his presence ought to assist shore up the Steelers’ protection.
Jets working again Breece Corridor can be an explosive participant, and protecting him in test will likely be key for the Steelers. The Jets have a whole lot of firepower within the passing sport, and Letting Corridor get scorching might spell catastrophe. Highsmith ought to assist sluggish him down and knock quarterback Aaron Rodgers round, too.
QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE KEY MATCHUP TO WATCH IN STEELERS-JETS?
Josh Carney: CB Donte Jackson vs. WR Garrett Wilson. I’m going again to it once more as a result of it’s an enormous matchup for me. With Davante Adams now in New York, that pushes Wilson to WR2 for the Jets, which is perhaps a disappointment for Wilson a bit. That may solely make him extra harmful, although, as he has advantageous matchups in opposition to CB2s and CB3s shifting ahead.
Donte Jackson is having a extremely good 12 months and has been a key piece for the Steelers’ protection. He’s placing up manufacturing equal to CB1 marks across the league, permitting completions on 55% of targets, however has one of many high QBR numbers in opposition to on the season.
The Steelers are going to pay an excessive amount of consideration to Adams, however Wilson is the one that would burn them on Sunday evening. I’ll have my eyes locked on #5 wherever he’s lined up.
Joe Clark: EDGE Will McDonald IV vs. OT Broderick Jones. Jones has been dangerous this season—no two methods about it. McDonald has seven sacks this season however is absolutely solely a risk as a pass-rusher. Jones struggled final week in opposition to Maxx Crosby and has frequently struggled, and he wants to select issues up in opposition to McDonald to maintain the pocket clear for Russell Wilson. It’ll be an extended evening if Jones struggles and the Jets can get strain.
Ross McCorkle: Jets CB Sauce Gardner vs. Steelers WR George Pickens. Pickens truly had a terrific sport in opposition to Pat Surtain II, it simply didn’t present up within the field rating with penalties negating some massive performs. He’s greater than able to having a giant day in opposition to Gardner, particularly with Russell Wilson’s signature moon ball.
Scott Brown: Jets DE Will McDonald IV vs. Steelers RT Broderick Jones. A season in the past, it might have been a bonus to the Steelers. Jones confirmed such promise as a rookie after a midseason promotion to the beginning lineup. McDonald, picked one spot after Jones within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft, barely noticed the sector. Now McDonald is an rising star whereas Jones’ shocking regression continues. He struggled once more final Sunday in opposition to Maxx Crosby and hardly will get a discount in McDonald. The Iowa State product has seven of the Jets’ 20 sacks.
Troy Montgomery: WR George Pickens vs. CB Sauce Gardner. This one would possibly trigger fireworks on Sunday. Pickens is extremely gifted, however he’s been visibly pissed off too many instances this 12 months. Gardner isn’t going to make issues any simpler for him. He’s arguably the most effective nook within the league, being named a First-team All-Professional in his first two years within the league.
With Russell Wilson prone to begin, Pickens ought to have alternatives for passes downfield. We’ll see if he can handle to beat Gardner at any level. If the Jets’ offense will get off to a quick begin, the Steelers would possibly want a giant play from Pickens to spark their momentum. Towards Gardner, that’s asking for lots.
QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO THE GAME FOR THE STEELERS?
Josh Carney: Stress and batter Aaron Rodgers. Sure, Rodgers and the Jets now have a loaded group of weapons to work with. However you possibly can’t do something massive if the ball has to come back out so shortly within the passing sport. That performs to the power of the Steelers’ protection.
Although Pittsburgh doesn’t blitz a lot, it could create nice strain with four-man rushes. Getting Alex Highsmith again this week will likely be an enormous increase to serving to the Steelers just do that. The Jets’ offensive line is a large number and has had points defending Rodgers, and now they’ll be going up in opposition to arguably the most effective defensive entrance in soccer.
Get strain on him shortly and early, tough him up, and create some frustration. That would result in some splash performs for the Steelers.
Joe Clark: Deal with within the secondary. The objective is for the Steelers to get strain on Rodgers and have him do away with the ball shortly and beneath. They’ll’t enable Garrett Wilson or Davante Adams to select up yards after the catch, and protecting issues beneath will likely be essential for Pittsburgh. In the event that they’re unable to get strain, then Rodgers will be capable of choose the protection aside, so the 2 go hand-in-hand, however tackling within the secondary will likely be essential to maintain their beneficial properties by way of the air quick.
Ross McCorkle: Russell Wilson proving he’s the man. This may very well be a flash of brilliance from Mike Tomlin to present the Steelers the spark they want within the passing sport or somewhat egg on his face. They’ve an amazing likelihood to win if they will power safeties out of the sort out field and function a balanced offense.
Scott Brown: Maintain the run sport going, however it’s not so simple as the Steelers simply feeding their RB1 the rock. The Jets’ protection, middling because it has been in opposition to the run, will likely be on excessive alert for Najee Harris after his greatest sport as a Steeler. OC Arthur Smith has to strike a steadiness between that includes Harris with out making it predictable when the Steelers run the ball. Nothing would assist the Steelers greater than in the event that they win the time of possession and turnover battle – sound acquainted? – in opposition to the Jets. That begins with Harris. Or is it Smith?
Troy Montgomery: Don’t let Aaron Rodgers get Davante Adams going. Years in the past, Rodgers and Adams have been among the best QB-WR duos within the NFL. Adams solely simply received to New York, but when he and Rodgers reestablish their connection early, it may very well be an extended day for the Steelers. In the event that they seize any momentum, they may not let it go.
The Steelers’ protection can’t even allow them to get began. Adams is in a completely new system, so they have to hold him uncomfortable. Even when he’s not at 100%, the Steelers have to deal with him like he’s. These two are used to dominating and taking on video games.
QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR STEELERS VS. JETS?
Josh Carney: I actually don’t really feel all that nice about this one, particularly after the Adams commerce for the Jets. Whereas the offensive line for New York is poor, I’ve main issues in regards to the Steelers’ secondary holding up in opposition to Rodgers and his weapons.
If Pittsburgh goes to win this one, they need to run the ball effectively early on and management the sport proper from the beginning. I simply don’t have a lot religion in that, particularly with a banged-up offensive line lacking arguably its greatest piece and making a QB change.
Rodgers and the Jets have an amazing day by way of the air, and the new-look Jets win this one. Jets 24, Steelers 20
Joe Clark: I’ve a foul feeling about this one, however I feel the Steelers will discover a option to pull it out in the long run. The house atmosphere helps, and I feel the Steelers will get simply sufficient strain to make issues troublesome for Rodgers whereas shifting the ball in opposition to a Jets protection that hasn’t been nearly as good as anticipated this season. Steelers 20, Jets 17
Ross McCorkle: I’ve a humorous feeling that this DangerRuss factor works out immediately for the offense, particularly if they will creatively combine in Justin Fields. The protection is again to full power with Alex Highsmith again within the combine. Steelers 28, Jets 18
Scott Brown: I don’t like this for the Steelers. Not. One. Bit. The two-4 Jets are determined and have reunited the most effective couple since Joni and Chachi—or Joey and Pacey for children like Alex Highsmith. The Steelers haven’t confronted a passing assault with this a lot potential juice. Danny Dimes will likely be a welcome sight at Acrisure Stadium in Week 8. Jets 24, Steelers 20.
Troy Montgomery: There’s only a lot going in opposition to the Steelers on this one. The Jets are the poster youngster for dysfunction within the NFL, however all of the nonsense with ready to call a beginning quarterback hasn’t helped the Steelers in any respect. There’s no telling what Russell Wilson goes to appear to be. It’s not like the start of the season, the place he simply received work within the preseason. He’s in all probability going to be rusty.
All that being stated, the Steelers’ protection remains to be elite. Aaron Rodgers isn’t the identical participant he as soon as was, and the Jets’ protection has weaknesses. The Jets have had points with their kicker, too, so in an in depth sport, that would matter. Name me a sucker, however I’m driving with the house workforce. Steelers 21, Jets 20.
What did you consider this Depot roundtable previewing the Steelers-Jets Week 7 matchup? Depart your ideas beneath, and be happy to offer your personal solutions to the questions within the feedback beneath!