Two starting quarterbacks in the NFL swapped teams in the off-season, and will appear against each other in the first regular season turns in their new environment.
Aaron Rodgers went from the New York Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Justin Fields, who started six games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year (winning four) moved on to the New York Jets.
So here we are. Kickoff is 1 PM ET on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
NFL Week 1 Betting Odds at BetOnline
The Steelers, who made the AFC playoffs as a wild card in 2024, are the road favorite in this game:
Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5 (-123)
New York Jets +2.5 (+103)
Over 38 Points -110
Under 38 Points -110
What are the Steelers going into this season with?
Well, one of the things is a veteran quarterback, although they did have that last season with Russell Wilson. That wasn’t enough to stave off a late-season slump that had this team limping going into the playoffs.
We’re not sure if the presence of Aaron Rodgers changes or improves the atmosphere. We know that he is artful in a way that is different from Wilson. And speaking of atmosphere, very few people can argue that this isn’t better than the one the Jets presented around him last season.
For one thing, the coaching situation is stable. Mike Tomlin has been at .500 or better for 18 consecutive seasons. So he is obviously able to adapt to any circumstances he needs to.
But the Steelers are not teeming with weapons. They are apparently going with a committee approach at running back, which includes Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. And beyond DK Metcalf, they don’t have wide receivers that scare anyone. It would seem that if Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can get on the same page, they’ll be relying on tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, and that will provide a lot of the air attack.
Justin Fields and the Jets’ offensive approach
The Jets believe that Justin Fields is the guy who can help them get to the playoffs. And they gave him $30 million in guaranteed money. It is up for dispute as to whether he is an NFL-level passer. It is hard to imagine that everything will run smoothly in this Jets offense unless he is going to tuck the ball in and run with it.
Indeed, the best game plan for the Jets might be to stick to the ground attack. That’s what new head coach Aaron Glenn wants to do. And that might make the Jets rather one-dimensional. But the Steelers encounter them with a defensive line that Pro Football Focus recently ranked #1 in the NFL.
The front seven has a lot of Pro Bowl-level talent, including Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Patrick Queen and of course, the incomparable TJ Watt. Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey have been added to the secondary. The Steelers will slow down the run and pressure the passer. Does Fields have enough to weather all of this? Only if the formidable offensive line can open some big holes and Breece Hall can run through them.
Steelers vs. Jets – who will come out on top?
This reporter must admit to not being too keen on the Jets this season. And that’s because they put their money on the wrong quarterback.
The Steelers gave up 299 rushing yards to Baltimore in the wild card round of the playoffs, and that would give us some concern. But Fields is limited, and Teryl Austin and his Pittsburgh defense know where his weaknesses are (based on him spending the 2024 season in the Steel City).
No doubt Austin, who is in the last year of his contract as defensive coordinator, is out to redeem himself. Rodgers might be on a redemption tour as well.
Pittsburgh, with a more solid situation, is worth it as the favorite.
THE PLAY: STEELERS -2.5 (-125)
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