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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The six-time Super Bowl champions are a franchise that considers excellence the only standard, and their fans expect nothing less than hard hitting, top notch football. This is the ultimate Steelers GameDay Preview that all followers of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with a weekly game story, Keys to Victory, score prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Season on the line vs New York Jets
The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) are at a crossroads just four weeks into the season.
After defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener, the Steelers have dropped two straight, displaying a lack of offense, and a defense that looks lost without it’s top player in T.J. Watt.
The offense has been a joke under Matt Canada for two years now, and it doesn’t look like the future will bring much promise until Canada is let go.
A former Steelers safety and ESPN analyst, has taken notice.
“They suck,” Ryan Clark said. “The skill players are underachieving. You line them up— George Pickens, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth, Najee Harris. This should be an offense that should produce explosive plays and also consistency in games, but they are not.”
The Steelers have the 31st ranked offense so far, with only the Chicago Bears being worse.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who leads the team in receptions, remains confident the offense will get better.
“We knew this coming in,” Johnson said. “It’s a new team. New players. We got a new quarterback. It’s going to take time. We’re going to get there. I won’t count us out just yet. It’s still early in the season, so we still got a lot of football left. And I feel like we’re going to be fine.”
The defense has been just as bad, and if this unit can’t get it fixed vs a below average Jets offense…
“I think we’re close,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “I’d like it better if I didn’t have to find that answer, but we’re continuing to work and continuing to improve. … We have some guys who are getting opportunities here. I think we’re a little closer in that regards, but it will all show out on Sundays.”
The New York Jets (1-2) will have Zach Wilson back as their starter for the first time this season since he got hurt in preseason.
Wilson will face a defense trying to find it’s balance since losing T.J. Watt late in the opening game vs the Bengals.
“Obviously, we’re still trying to win without him,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said Thursday. “I think we’re 0-7 without him.”
The Steelers have collected two sacks in the games vs the Patriots and Browns, and just one turnover.
They had seven sacks and five takeaways vs Cinci.
“I feel like we’re getting better every game even though our record doesn’t show that right now,” said linebacker Alex Highsmith, who leads the NFL with 4.5 sacks. “We made a lot of corrections this week. We’re excited to get out there.”
Keys to Victory
Overall
- Woe, Canada: To be honest, as long as Matt Canada is offensive coordinator, the Steelers offense is going to be painful to watch, just as it was last season until the 2nd half of games when Ben Roethlisberger ignored him and just called the game himself.
Offense
- Throw deep: The Jets secondary is not that great, and if Mitch Trubisky doesn’t attack downfield, then expect the Jets to play one safety over-top, and stack the box like every other team so far.
- Let the quarterback, you know, quarterback: Like last year until Big Ben said hell with it in the 2nd half of games, Steeler QB’s aren’t given the opportunity to call audibles. What is this, 1955? Take the shackles off and if you are going to lose, go down swinging, with at least trying to win.
Defense
- Get to the damn quarterback: T.J. Watt or no T.J. Watt, there is no excuse for the lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks the past two games. Blitz, bite someone, do something to get a sack.
Prediction
Last chance saloon for this team… lose to the Jets and the party is over in 2022 for the Steelers. If the offense doesn’t open up this week, it never will until Matt Canada is gone and Kenny Pickett takes over.
For some crazy reason, expect the Steelers to win this game and give a slimmer of hope for the rest of the year, but if this team doesn’t get it’s game right in this one, it’s all downhill after, with the Bills, Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Eagles to follow.
Steelers 24 NY Jets 20
Game Day Information
NFL Week 4
Pittsburgh Steelers vs NY Jets
- Vegas line: Pittsburgh -3.5
Game-time: Sunday, October 2nd, 1:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Bluegrass
TV: CBS (Local- KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) Adam Archuleta (analyst) | AJ Ross (sideline)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: n/a
- Announcers:
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 60, with a 15% chance of rain. Winds out of the North at 10 mph.
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 1-2 (Tied 4th in AFC North)
Last game: Cleveland 29 Pittsburgh 17
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 15th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 155-87-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 18
- Total yards per game: 279.7
- Passing yards per game: 189.7
- Rushing yards per game: 90
Quarterback
Mitch Trubisky
Playing prevent offense way too much, rarely taking chances downfield to give his receivers a chance to make a catch. Needs to open up his game or be benched.
- Passing Yards: 569 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 5 | Rushing Yards: 23 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Kenny Pickett
Pickett, the 1st round pick from Pitt, is just waiting in the wings for his opportunity to shine.
Running Backs
Najee Harris
Has played ok, but has also been hesitant hitting the holes at full speed. Too much ability not being flashed so far.
- Rushing Yards: 128 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions:10 | Receiving Yards: 48 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Jaylon Warren
Good change of pace back when he comes in for relief of Harris.
- Rushing Yards: 52 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Benny Snell, Jr.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson
Has been Pittsburgh’s most consistent threat as a receiver.
- Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 196 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Chase Claypool
The overall stats don’t show it, but Claypool has been good when utilized.
- Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 79 | Receiving TD’s: 0 | Rushing Yards: 36 | Rushing TD’s: 0
George Pickens
Lots of untapped talent just waiting for the ball to be thrown in his direction. Will be a factor if ever given the chance. Made one of the greatest one handed catches ever seen vs Cleveland.
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 65 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Myles Boykin
Has nice hands and runs routes well, but no stats in three games.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Gunner Olszewski
Good in open space, if ever thrown the ball.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Steven Sims
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Pat Friermuth
Could become one of the best tight ends in the game if the Pittsburgh passing game ever gets unleashed. Was not thrown to until the 4th quarter last week vs Cleveland.
- Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 138 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Zach Gentry
Gentry is getting better each year and could make some noise in the redzone, especially in two tight end sets.
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 40 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Conner Heyward
Plays hard and will shine when called upon to perform.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Placekicker
Chris Boswell
One of the best clutch kickers in the game.
- Extra Points: 4-4
- Field Goals: 6-8
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 1-2
- 50+ yards: 2-3
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 22
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 394.7
- Passing yards allowed: 252
- Rushing yards allowed: 142.7
- Sacks: 9
- Interceptions: 5
Stat Leaders
Tackles
- 35- Myles Jack
- 24- Minkah Fitzpatrick
- 20- Alex Highsmith and Devin Bush
- 15- Ahkello Witherspoon
- 14- Cam Heyward
Sacks
- 4.5- Alex Highsmith
- 1- T.J. Watt, Robert Spillane, Arthur Maulet, and Cam Heyward
Interceptions
- 2- Minkah Fitzpatrick
- 1- Cam Sutton, T.J. Watt, and Ahkello Witherspoon
Defensive Starters
DE: Cam Heyward | DT: Tyson Alualu | DE: Larry Ogunjobi
One of the best 3-4 defensive lines in football. Cam Heyward is a future HOF and Larry Ogunjobi has been a major addition.
OLB: Malik Reed | ILB: Devin Bush | ILB: Myles Jack | OLB: Alex Highsmith.
With T.J. Watt out, Malik Reed will have to step up his game. Myles Jack looked great in opener, as did Devin Bush. Alex Highsmith played outstanding with three sacks.
CB: Levi Wallace | SS: Terrell Edmunds | FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick | CB: Cameron Sutton/Ahkello Witherspoon
Minkah Fitzpatrick showed the world why he is one of the best safeties in the game. Despite being on the field for 45 minutes and under attack all day from a Bengals team playing from behind, the secondary played superb.
Steelers Special Teams
Kickoff Returners
Gunner Olszewski
- Average: 9.5 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Gunner Olszewski
One of the top returners in the NFL. Good at finding space, turning up the speed and finding a hole. Cannot afford any more muffed punt returns, which cost the Steelers dearly vs New England.
- Average: 10.0 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the NY Jets
Overall record: 1-2 (Tied 4th in AFC East)
Last game: Cincinnati 27 Jets 12
Head Coach: Robert Saleh
- 2nd Season with NY Jets
- Overall regular-season record: 5-15 | 5-15 with Jets
- Playoff Record: 0-0 I 0-0 with the Jets
Team Links
Jets Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 17.3
- Total Offense per game: 390
- Passing yards per game: 306
- Rushing yards per game: 84
Quarterback
Zach Wilson
Making his debut for the 2022 season after being injured in preseason.
- Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0 | Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Joe Flacco
Running Backs
Breece Hall
The rookie back is ready to be the bell cow for the Jets, but often splits time with Michael Carter.
- Rushing Yards: 112 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 101 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Michael Carter
Carter is a good back with potential, but is in a timeshare with Hall.
- Rushing Yards: 122 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 74 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Receivers
Garrett Wilson
The Jets top pick is coming into his own and will be a factor for years.
- Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 214 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Elijah Moore
Good receiver that makes plays when thrown to.
- Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 139 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Corey Davis
Never lived up to the hype in Tennessee, now trying his luck in New York.
- Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 187 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Braxton Berrios
Another young receiver with potential.
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 37 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jeff Smith
Hardly utilized in passing game.
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Ty Conklin
Slowly being recognized as one of the better tight ends in the game. Ties for team lead with 18 receptions.
- Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 140 | Receiving TD’s: 1
C.J. Uzomah
Hasn’t been used much since coming over from the Bengals.
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Placekicker
Greg Zuerlein
- Extra Points: 4-5
- Field Goals: 6-7
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 3-4
- 50+ yards: 3-3
*Injured/out
Jets Defense (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 27
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 336.3
- Passing yards allowed: 231
- Rushing yards allowed: 105.3
- Sacks: 5
- Interceptions: 2
Stat Leaders
Tackles
- 30- C.J. Mosley
- 18- Quincy Williams
- 17- Jordan Whitehead
- 16- LaMarcus Joyner
- 12- Sauce Gardner, Sheldon Rankins, and Kwon Alexander
Sacks
- 1.5- Quinnen Williams
- 1- Quincy Williams and Sheldon Rankins
- 0.5- Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, and Carl Lawson
Interceptions
- 1- D.J. Reed, Jr. and Ashryn Davis
Jets Special Teams
Kickoff Returners
Braxton Berrios
- Average: 23.8 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Braxton Berrios
- Average: 14.0 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Jets History
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 20-6
- Home: 10-1
- Away: 10-5
- Postseason: 2-0
Streak: Jets won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Jets Win, 16-10 (Dec. 22, 2019)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 24-19 (Jan. 23, 2011)
Injury Report (9/30/22)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Hamstring)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: None
NY Jets
- Out: LB Quincy Williams (Ankle)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring)
Author Profile
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
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