Steelers vs. Jets: Madden 26 Recap

The Steelers open up the new season versus the New York Jets in a matchup with a variety of storylines. An AFC Championship rematch from over a decade ago, and good teammates turned bitter rivals with the two starting quarterbacks at the beginning of the year of each respective team now facing off against their former team. 

Justin Fields, the 26-year old first round pick out of Ohio State, joined the Jets through free agency in the offseason after being signed with Pittsburgh for just one season. The campaign would last about only 6 games before he would be benched by veteran Russell Wilson. In that time, Fields would win 4/6 games with a 5:1 TD-Interception ratio, over 1100 passing yards, and 66% of his passes being completed. The benching was a move faced with a lot of backlash, ESPECIALLY with the Steelers having QB issues later in the year. After Fields went to free agency, he was signed by the New York Jets for a 2-year, $40 million deal.

The Steelers lost Russell Wilson AND Justin Fields in free agency. They needed a big move and signed former Super Bowl champion and four-time MVP, 41-year old Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers spent the last two years of his career playing for the New York Jets. His career there was less than stellar. His first year was cut short after tearing his achilles in his first drive. His second year would be the only time he played a full season. A 5-12 record would lead the Jets to obscurity, a feeling the franchise is all too familiar with. Rodgers would record a 28:11 TD-Interception ratio, about 3900 passing yards, and 63% of his passes being completed. After this, the Jets would move on and let Rodgers go into free agency. 4 months after the season ended, Rodgers would sign a one-year deal with Pittsburgh worth $13.6 million. 

And now the stage is set! From MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Rodgers and the Steelers will travel there to face off against the Jets in what’s sure to be an interesting one! But how does the new NFL video game, Madden NFL 26, think the game will go? After spectating all 15 minute quarters, we have our answer! Here’s the recap on how the game went!

Final Game Result:

Steelers 44 - Jets 23

Well, that’s a Madden game if I’ve ever seen one. Aaron Rodgers DOMINATES in his first game back in the black and gold. Rodgers threw for 510 passing yards, a career best compared to his 480 back in 2013! His connections with his receivers were elite to say the least with DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin, all recording over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown! The first Steelers offensive play of the game was an absolute dagger with an 80-yard touchdown from Rodgers to Metcalf! Zero turnovers on offense so the passing game was extraordinary! 

The running game was a bit lackluster, however. Jaylen Warren was handed the ball 25 times in his debut as starting running back but was only able to record 70 total rushing yards. And with the Jets having a good defensive front, it wasn’t gonna be easy but nonetheless, Warren and the offensive line couldn’t seem to break off any big runs. He did get a touchdown but besides that, nothing really of note for Warren on the ground. And speaking of the offensive line, they would allow two sacks but one each from both offensive guards in Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick.

Offensive wise, it was a solid day. Great connections in the passing game but slow start to the year for running the ball. But 28 total first downs and 587 total offensive yards, not a lot of people will complain.

On the defensive side, the Steelers would get big plays in the backfield with Alex Highsmith recording 3 sacks and TJ Watt recording 2. The defense would excel in stopping the run game with Breece Hall as he would not even get past 15 total rushing yards on the day. But the pass game would be different. Over 400 passing yards allowed from Justin Fields, a guy who hasn’t even cracked 350 in his career. 

Throughout the quarters, the Steelers dominated the first half, outscoring the Jets 31-3. In the second half, the Steelers would take their foot off the gas for a bit, being outscored 13-20. But still, a wide margin to end the first half would grant them a 1-0 start to the year!

Will Rodgers kick off a brand new offense and prove the Jets were the incompetent ones the whole time, or is Madden not “in the game”? We’ll find out this Sunday!

To view the full game with commentary from yours truly, click here:

https://youtu.be/1sAT6uTYeP8?si=uNbg4zJ8YhcNoRJV