4 Questions With The Depot Crew: Previewing Week 1 Steelers-Jets Matchup

With a pair of NFL regular-season video games already within the rearview mirror, the eye shifts to Sunday’s season openers throughout nearly all of the league. That features the new-look Pittsburgh Steelers, who head to MetLife Stadium to tackle the New York Jets.

Huge names and new faces dominate the storylines surrounding the Steelers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, extensive receiver DK Metcalf, and tight finish Jonnu Smith are among the many well-known gamers added to the offense, whereas defensive again Jalen Ramsey and cornerback Darius Slay headline new faces on the protection.

A few of these new items didn’t play in any respect within the preseason for the Steelers, so Sunday in opposition to the Jets shall be their Black and Gold debut.

Following what we did final yr right here at Steelers Depot, myself, Joe Clark, Ross McCorkle, Scott Brown, Troy Montgomery, Jake Brockhoff and Dr. Melanie Friedlander will reply 4 key questions weekly, previewing the video games.

Lett’s speak concerning the Steelers’ season opener in opposition to the Jets.

QUESTION 1: WHO IS THE STEELERS’ X FACTOR AGAINST THE JETS?

Josh Carney: ILB Payton Wilson. The Jets need to be a downhill, energy working group, and have the velocity and physicality to actually put on down defenses. Add QB Justin Fields as a dynamic speeding menace and the Jets might actually be a handful for defenses sideline to sideline. That’s the place Wilson is available in.

He’s getting into the beginning function subsequent to Patrick Queen this season and appears to be properly on his method to a second-year leap primarily based on his coaching camp and preseason. He wants to hold that over into the common season. Wilson had points getting off blocks in 2024, and he’ll have the Jets working downhill proper at him all through the sport. He wants to indicate he can maintain up and make performs in opposition to the run in an expanded function. If he does, the Steelers’ protection might actually put the clamps on New York.

Joe Clark: TE Pat Freiermuth. The Jets can have Sauce Gardner on DK Metcalf, and whereas Metcalf can nonetheless get his, the Steelers want one other goal to step up. With Arthur Smith claiming the Steelers will use the center of the sphere extra, Freiermuth has alternative to get off to a powerful begin and show he generally is a official weapon within the passing recreation.

Ross McCorkle: DT Yahya Black. Rookie fifth-round picks don’t usually play in Week 1 as a lot as Black is about to. He seemed nice within the preseason and has each alternative to hold that over right into a stable regular-season debut.

Scott Brown: DB Jalen Ramsey. The seven-time Professional Bowler shall be higher than the good-but-not-great Minkah Fitzpatrick, even when it’s not a direct comparability. There is just one Troy Polamalu, however Ramsey is the closest factor the Steelers have needed to such a chess piece earlier than age sapped Polamalu of his velocity. It will likely be enjoyable to see how the Steelers transfer Ramsey round as they attempt to confuse Jets QB Justin Fields.

Troy Montgomery: TE Jonnu Smith. DK Metcalf is nice, however the Steelers want another person to step up within the passing recreation. OC Arthur Smith loves using tight ends, and Jonnu Smith has benefitted from that earlier than. His profession began to blossom beneath Arthur Smith. Final season he had a profession yr with the Miami Dolphins, making his first Professional Bowl.

He has an opportunity to construct on that in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ tight finish room is crowded, however Smith ought to be capable of stick out. In opposition to the Jets’ robust protection, he might have an opportunity to make an instantaneous affect along with his new group.

Jake Brockhoff: RB Jaylen Warren. Over the previous few years, followers have longed for Warren to get his likelihood because the Steelers’ lead again. Sunday represents his first alternative in that function. Kenneth Gainwell’s not going to get an enormous share of the carries, and Kaleb Johnson merely isn’t prepared for a heavy workload.

It’s additionally going to be Aaron Rodgers’ first time main the Steelers’ offense. He didn’t play within the preseason, and neither did his prime two receivers in DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III. With the passing recreation doubtlessly sputtering to start the sport, Warren must discover a rhythm early. If he can, it would actually assist the offense cool down in opposition to a proficient Jets protection.

Dr. Melanie Friedlander: QB Aaron Rodgers. It could appear to be the lazy selection, however he’s the clear X issue for the Steelers, however not for the rationale many would guess. Rodgers was held out all the preseason and has to shake off the cobwebs. He must play sensible and resist the urge to do an excessive amount of and put all the offense on his shoulders.

QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE MATCHUP TO WATCH IN STEELERS-JETS?

Josh Carney: Steelers NT Keeanu Benton vs. Jets C/RG Josh Myers and Joe Tippmann. With RG Alijah Vera-Tucker misplaced for the season to a torn triceps he sustained on Wednesday, the Jets must reshuffle their offensive line. Tippman slides to proper guard and Myers steps in at heart. It’s a configuration the Jets are placing collectively on the fly.

That bodes properly for Benton, who’s getting into a vital Yr 3 in Pittsburgh. The Wisconsin product reshaped his physique this offseason to raised deal with the nostril sort out place, so he wants to have the ability to play the run higher. With first-round choose Derrick Harmon out with a knee harm, Benton ought to see extra snaps in sub-package soccer as properly. He must have an impactful day within the trenches, particularly in opposition to a brand new inside of the Jets’ OL.

Joe Clark: WR DK Metcalf vs. CB Sauce Gardner. There’s been lots of hype concerning the Steelers’ secondary choices behind Metcalf, however they haven’t confirmed something but. This group goes to be reliant on Metcalf, and he’s going to have to be productive in opposition to one of many prime cornerbacks within the league.

Ross McCorkle: ILBs Patrick Queen/Payton Wilson vs. RB Breece Corridor. It’s time for the Steelers’ athletic duo within the center to indicate they’ll reliably make tackles and canopy working backs out of the backfield. Corridor would require them to do loads of each.

Scott Brown: LT Broderick Jones vs. DE Jermaine Johnson. Troy Fautanu faces the sterner check on the opposite finish of the offensive line, however all eyes shall be on Jones. Aaron Rodgers can nonetheless throw passes from anyplace – besides on his again. Jones should hold the 41-year-old QB upright this season and set up himself as a cornerstone of the Steelers’ offensive line. It begins at MetLife Stadium.

Troy Montgomery: C Zach Frazier vs. DL Quinnen Williams. The Steelers’ offensive line has lots of stress on it to guard Aaron Rodgers this season. Frazier has much more duty on his shoulders snapping the ball to Rodgers. He had a terrific rookie season, and the Steelers are hoping that he can construct on that.

He gained’t have an opportunity to ease into issues this season, although. The Jets have a proficient line of defense, headlined by Williams, a former All-Professional. He’s top-of-the-line defensive linemen within the league, and he’ll check how a lot Frazier has developed his recreation. Williams might disrupt the Steelers’ run and go recreation, in order that they’ll must hold him in test as finest they’ll.

Jake Brockhoff: Steelers OLB T.J. Watt vs. Jets RT Armand Membou. New York’s rookie proper sort out has a ton of potential and was a first-round choice for a motive. Nonetheless, he’s acquired about as robust of a job as attainable in his first NFL recreation, going through T.J. Watt.

Watt clearly is aware of learn how to get the job carried out, however the Steelers are making efforts to be extra versatile with him this season. He could transfer round and throw completely different seems to be at Membou greater than we’ve seen from him up to now. With Alijah Vera-Tucker taking place with an harm, this matchup will get even tougher for Membou. If Watt can get off to begin, it might throw a wrench into the Jets’ plans early.

Dr. Melanie Friedlander: OLB T.J. Watt vs. Jets OT Armand Membou. Membou was the seventh total choose this yr and brings athleticism, however Watt is wholesome and hungry and will have a really dominant day.

QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO THE GAME FOR THE STEELERS?

Josh Carney: A balanced offensive assault. The Steelers need to have the ability to run the soccer, make the most of play-action and take photographs deep down the sphere. You may’t try this when you aren’t balanced, and that begins with a constant run recreation.

All through coaching camp and the preseason, the run recreation was a little bit of a priority, particularly with the first-team offensive line. Isaac Seumalo is again wholesome at left guard, and the group up entrance seems to be rounding into type. It should get off to a stable begin Sunday in opposition to Jets defensive entrance. Run the soccer, shield Aaron Rodgers, maintain some drives.

Joe Clark: Win the turnover battle. It’s one thing the Steelers have carried out greater than anybody over the previous few seasons, and Aaron Rodgers is pretty much as good as any quarterback at limiting turnovers. The Steelers have a expertise benefit, however profitable the turnover battle would go a protracted, great distance towards incomes a Week 1 victory.

Ross McCorkle: Play clear soccer. On expertise alone, the Steelers have the clear edge. The best way to undergo an unlikely defeat is for them to play sloppy and beat themselves with unhealthy penalties. The starters confirmed a few of that of their restricted preseason play, so hopefully they acquired that out of their system.

Scott Brown: Aaron Rodgers getting the higher of Justin Fields: They will play the cool cat factor all they need however they’re human. In fact, they are going to need to stick it to their former group — Rodgers perhaps much more so than Fields. Will that lead one or each to drive one thing at an inopportune time? In a low-scoring recreation, the distinction may very well be the errors Rodgers and Fields keep away from, moderately than the performs they make.

Troy Montgomery: Containing Justin Fields. Fields isn’t one of the best quarterback within the league, however he’s a dynamic runner. The Jets will certainly need to play to that energy. The Steelers sound like they’ve a plan to restrict Fields’ mobility, however that’s simpler stated than carried out. If they permit him to make performs along with his legs, it may very well be a protracted day for them. They’re too proficient to get pushed round on the bottom.

Jake Brockhoff: Cease. The. Run. The Steelers’ secondary is proficient sufficient, and Justin Fields isn’t a confirmed passer at this degree fairly but. New York is aware of its finest plan of motion isn’t by way of the air.

Nonetheless, the Jets have the potential to be very robust on the bottom. Breece Corridor and Braelon Allen can do some harm. And Steelers followers acquired a detailed view of what Fields can do along with his legs final yr. If New York will get right into a rhythm with the run recreation, it might probably management the clock and begin to put on down Pittsburgh’s entrance seven. The Steelers can’t let that occur.

Dr. Melanie Friedlander: The Steelers’ protection has the prospect to manage this recreation, and all of it begins up entrance. Jets HC Aaron Glenn has been clear that he desires his offense to have a bodily speeding assault, however the Jets have a younger offensive line and simply misplaced their proper guard for the yr. If the entrance seven can cease the run, they’ll then apply stress to Jets QB Justin Fields, who averaged over three seconds from snap to throw final season.

QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR STEELERS AT JETS?

Josh Carney: Even with the entire uncertainty relating to the Steelers’ offense beneath Rodgers, I feel the Steelers can lean on the star-studded protection early on the highway, drag the Jets into the mud as soon as once more, and discover a method to win an unsightly recreation. Chris Boswell shall be large on this one as soon as once more. Steelers 16, Jets 10

Joe Clark: Aaron Rodgers has one thing to show, and whereas I don’t suppose the offense goes to blow our socks off in opposition to the Jets, they’ll do sufficient to win. A giant day from T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh’s protection will restrict the Jets, who rating a garbage-time landing to make issues look nearer than they actually had been. Steelers 24, Jets 16

Ross McCorkle: I fear that the offense will get off to a sluggish begin, which is able to permit the Jets to lean into the run. Search for the Steelers to fall behind early and Aaron Rodgers to dig them out of the opening within the second half in opposition to his former group. Steelers 21, Jets 17

Scott Brown: If the Steelers’ protection is as marketed, it would permit the offense to easy out what are certain to be some tough edges early. The Steelers rating two touchdowns, one after a defensive takeaway serves up a brief discipline, and Chris Boswell boots a late discipline objective to place the sport out of attain. Steelers 20, Jets 10

Troy Montgomery: The Steelers made lots of adjustments to their offense, however I don’t count on them to return out weapons blazing in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf have but to swimsuit up for them. Cease me when you’ve heard this one earlier than. I feel the Steelers’ offense is in for a sluggish begin. Nonetheless, I additionally suppose that their protection goes to provide the Jets’ offense a ton of issues. That needs to be sufficient to get them the win, even when it’s a irritating recreation. Steelers 17, Jets 13

Jake Brockhoff: It is a recreation the Steelers ought to win, however I don’t count on it to be fairly. Because the offense begins to construct in-stadium chemistry, they’ll depend on their protection on this one. That unit has an excessive amount of expertise to wrestle with an offense that’s working to seek out its personal identification. Steelers 20, Jets 16

Dr. Melanie Friedlander: The Steelers’ protection ought to be capable of restrict the Jets’ scoring alternatives, persevering with that development from final season, whereas Rodgers will probably discover his receivers and tight ends ultimately zone on Sunday. Steelers 27, Jets 17