Scouting the Jets: Steelers opening opponent has played well at home vs. them over past 25 years

SCOUTING THE JETS

Last meeting

Steelers beat Jets, 37-15, on Oct. 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh

Key matchup

Steelers WR DK Metcalf vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner

Arguably the Jets’ best player, Gardner has nursed calf and fibula injuries in recent weeks but has trended positively through the days leading up to the game. Gardner is one of the NFL’s premier shutdown corners, and if he’s deployed in that way, he would unquestionably get assigned to Metcalf. The Steelers’ highest-paid offseason acquisition, Metcalf is by far their most dynamic wide receiver.

Key injuries

The Jets were dealt a blow earlier this week when starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker was lost for the season because of a torn triceps. Former Steelers starting tackle Chuks Okorafor would be one of the candidates to replace him but has a hand injury, and his status is in question.

The Steelers are without rookie first-round pick defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), and No. 3 outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) is questionable.

Series record

Steelers lead 19-7 in the regular season.

Series notes

This is the Steelers’ first game at the Jets since 2019, the six years representing the longest stretch without such a meeting since 1990-2000. … The Jets won that Dec. 22, 2019 game, 16-10. Devlin “Duck” Hodges started at quarterback for the Steelers but was benched in the second quarter in favor of Mason Rudolph, who during the third quarter suffered a shoulder injury. … The Steelers won 10 of their first 11 as the visiting team against the Jets but have lost the past four and have only beaten the Jets once at 15-year-old MetLife Stadium. That 2014 game is their only victory on the road against the Jets since 2000. … The Steelers beat the Jets twice in playoff games (both in Pittsburgh): in the 2004 season divisional round and the 2010 season’s AFC championship. … Last season’s game at Acrisure Stadium featured current Steelers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers making the start for New York.

Notable

It has been discussed ad nauseam that Rodgers and New York’s Justin Fields are starting at quarterback in Week 1 against the team each played for last season. But Steelers defensive backs Brandin Echols and Chuck Clark also were Jets last season. … In season openers in their 92-year history, the Steelers are 48-39-5 — but they are only 17-20-2 in Week 1 games on the road. … This is the 10th time in 11 seasons that the Steelers have opened up away from home. … Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are 11-6-1 in Week 1. … This is the fifth consecutive season the Steelers are opening with a 1 p.m. Sunday kickoff game. The Jets opened on “Monday Night Football” each of the past two years on Week 1. … Steelers TE Darnell Washington had a career-high four receptions during last year’s meeting against the Jets.

Fantasy tip

The Steelers have a pair of running backs (Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell) who excel at catching passes, but the Jets were one of only five NFL teams last season that did not allow a receiving touchdown to a running back.