New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Preview, Predictions, and More

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The New York Jets brutal schedule continues in Week 5, as they will travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets come into the game on a two-game losing streak, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks in rather embarrassing fashion the previous two weeks. The Steelers come in with some momentum, as they thrashed those same Chiefs on Sunday Night Football and are 3-1.

This is the first time that the Jets and Steelers are facing off since the 2014 season. The Jets got the victory that afternoon, winning 20-13.

While the season is only a quarter over, this is close to a must-win game for the Jets. They already have losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Chiefs, two teams that will factor into the AFC playoff race; a third to the Steelers could really do them in.

It will not be easy, as the Jets enter the game pretty banged up. Eric Decker will miss his second consecutive game with a shoulder injury. Darrelle Revis is doubtful because of a hamstring strain, and Brian Winters is out with a concussion. The Jets will sorely miss Decker and Revis, as the Steelers possess one of the best offenses in football. That brings us to one of the keys to the game.

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Keys To The Game

The Steelers have the best trio in the NFL in Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. The Jets will have a tough time containing those three, as their pass defense has been suspect all season; expect the Steelers to test that early and often.

Brown is the best wide receiver in football and should have a field day in the Jets secondary. While the front four are strong, Bell can impact the game as a receiver as much as a running back. Don’t forget about Sammie Coates, who can stretch the field vertically with his speed, and Markus Wheaton. The Steelers have a lot of weapons; do the Jets have enough to try and slow them down?

The Jets will need their offense to perform if they want to keep up. A lot of that will rely on Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has been horrendous the last two weeks, throwing nine interceptions. Can he cut down on the turnovers against the Steelers? We saw last week that if you turn the ball over against Pittsburgh, they can capitalize easily.

If Fitzpatrick has another multi-turnover game, this could be the last time we see him under center as the starting quarterback for the Jets.

Odds

Spread: Jets +7.5

Moneyline: Steelers -350

Over/Under: 48 points

Next: New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Players To Watch

Prediction

The Jets and Steelers are currently heading in two different directions. Heinz Field is a difficult place to play, especially for teams that are struggling. The Jets fall into that category, and it looks like it will be a tough afternoon for Gang Green

The Steelers bounced back in a big way after a disappointing Week 3 performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. They will continue that steamroll performance against an overmatched Jets team on Sunday afternoon.

Pick: Jets: 17, Steelers: 34

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