New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said before the season started that he wanted his team to make the fanbase proud again.
Sunday was a very good start in that area, even if they didn’t come away with the win.
Justin Fields and the Jets offense shined but it wasn’t enough to outlast Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ fourth-quarter flurry in a 34-32 final score.
New York got the scoring started with the style of play they expect to show throughout 2025. The Jets passed just once on the opening drive, yet still managed to drive deep in Steeler territory. Nick Folk nailed a 35-yard field goal to give the Jets a 3-0 lead.
After entering to a chorus of boos in his return to MetLife Stadium, Rodgers responded to New York’s scoring drive with a touchdown of his own. The 41-year-old went 4-of-5 passing for 62 yards and a 22-yard touchdown strike to Ben Skowronek to put Pittsburgh in front 7-3.
Fields quickly responded.
The quarterback who replaced Rodgers this offseason threw a 33-yard touchdown strike to Garrett Wilson. New York went for two instead of kicking the PAT after a Pittsburgh penalty, but failed. The Jets took a 9-7 lead into the second quarter.
Pittsburgh quickly responded with a 56-yard field goal from Chris Boswell to jump back in front 10-9.
Down for the second time in the day, Fields, and more importantly, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand dialed up another masterclass against Pittsburgh’s elite defense. New York went on a six-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by a Braelon Allen eight-yard touchdown run. The Jets jumped back up 16-10 at the midway point of the second quarter.
Nick Folk would connect from 51 yards out to extend New York’s lead to 19-10, but was quickly answered when Rodgers led the Steelers on a two-minute drive that resulted in a touch pass to Jonnu Smith, and lowered the deficit to 19-17 at the half.
Fields finished the first half at an impressive 9-of-11 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown pass. He added an additional 30 yards on the ground as he led the Jets to four scoring drives on their first four possessions.
Both teams traded three-and-outs offensively to begin the third quarter. It wasn’t until Fields, Breece Hall, and Wilson led the way to a 68-yard touchdown drive that ended when New York’s starting quarterback sneaked it in for a two-yard touchdown run.
The Jets’ 26-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter put the Steelers, and their former quarterback on the ropes.
Unfortunately, that was something Rodgers, as a four-time NFL MVP, had been used to. The Steelers quarterback orchestrated a long touchdown drive capped off on a roll-out pass to Jaylen Warren for six. On the ensuing kickoff, Xavier Gipson fumbled the return and gave the ball right back to Pittsburgh. Two plays later, Rodgers found Calvin Austin for the go-ahead score, and a 31-26 lead.
New York wasn’t done, though. Fields orchestrated a 12-play, 67-yard drive that was capped by coverting a fourth-and-goal situation on a naked bootleg to put the Jets back in front 32-31. The ensuing two-point try was no-good, but with seven minutes left in the game, Gang Green held the advantage.
It was an adavtanage that the defense would continue on the ensuing drive. Quincy Williams sacked Rodgers on third down to force a three-and-out.
With five minutes to go, New York had a chance to ice the game away. Instead, the offense went three-and-out.
With new life, Rodgers quickly moved the Steelers into field goal range for the game-winning score. Chris Boswell’s 60-yard field goal was good, putting the Jets down by two with just over a minute to play.
But a couple of errant throws from Fields ended any hope of a last-second miracle for the Jets, falling at last to the Steelers by a 34-32 final.
At 0-1, the Jets move into a Week 2 contest against the Buffalo Bills. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.
Game Notes:
- One of the surprise inactives for Sunday’s game came via wide receiver Allen Lazard. The veteran wideout was not traded before the season began, but being a healthy scratch should make some wonder if he has a role on this team moving forward.
- Joe Tippmann replaced Alijah Vera-Tucker during Sunday’s contest. AVT suffered a torn triceps injury during the week and has been placed on IR. Expect Tippmann to play the entire year there.
- It was the first time since 1991 that the Jets did not punt the ball once in the first half. Their offensive efficiency took an important first step on Sunday.
- One major difference from what the Jets have done on the defensive side came regarding All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. He traveled for much of the first half with DK Metcalf, and did not give up a catch as the closest defender according to Next Gen Stats.
