Steelers Wrap: A Roller Coaster to Victory

Before the season began, I gave my opinion on the Steelers 2025 defense that it was going to be special this season and exceptionally good. Following the season opening victory over the New York Jets by a narrow margin of 34-32, it is my hope that this was a case of first game jitters and not an indication of how the defense will perform this season.

After the Steelers got bumped by the Baltimore Ravens in last year’s wild card game, Mike Tomlin vowed to make the rush defense better this season. Key additions were first round draft choice Derrick Harmon and then veterans like Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Brandin Echols, and Malik Harrison all of whom contributed in game one with the exception of Harmon who is injured. 

But facing the Jets on the road, led by Breece Hall, New York ran through and around Pittsburgh’s defense like they were swiss cheese. The Jets finished with 182 yards rushing but also shred the secondary of the Steelers to the tune of 212 yards passing. 394 yards of offense yielded by what was believed to be one of the league’s best defenses simply does not cut it. 

This game focused on a revenge factor for both quarterbacks. For Justin Fields, he was facing the team that benched him in favor of Russell Wilson. Aaron Rodgers may have had a more bitter taste left in his mouth as at the close of the 2024 campaign, he was told in person that the Jets were moving in a different direction at quarterback and he was no longer wanted. Both quarterbacks performed extremely well in the season opener. 

The Steelers knew going into the this game that Justin Fields would be a threat with his feet. But Fields showed he can also be an incredibly good passing QB hitting on 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a rating of 119.1. He also rushed for 48 yards and 4.0 per carry average. Not to be outdone, Aaron Rodgers absolutely silenced the critics with a 22 of 30 day and 244 yards. He was extremely accurate in his passing not throwing a single interception and tossing four touchdown passes. His passer rating was better than Fields at 136.7.

The Steelers have not scored that often in the opening quarter in past seasons but up in New Jersey, Rodgers led a drive downfield for a first quarter score capped by a touchdown from Rodgers to Ben Skowronek from 22 yards out. The drive was executed to near perfection and watching the old man, Rodgers showed that his veteran leadership and smart decision making is something that should get Steelers Nation excited. 

For those who said Rodgers is too old and washed up…NOT. This is the just the start and consider the fact that he is probably just warming up and getting comfortable in the offense and the playbook. There is no doubt this offense is only going to get better…much better. However, there is work to be done. The running game was awful against the Jets. As a team Pittsburgh averaged only 2.7 yards per carry. The longest run of the day was from starter Jaylen Warren for nine yards. My opinion is that veteran Kenneth Gainwell had too many carries even though it was only seven in total. 

Rookie Kaleb Johnson I believe in time will be doing big things but facing the Jets he had just one carry, lost two yards, and never touched the ball again. If the running game comes together, and the defense gets their act together, this Steelers team has potential to be big time scary. Aaron Rodgers and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smtih did a great job spreading the ball around via the pass.

DK Metcalf proved to be everything we expected and wanted with four receptions and 83 yards with one catch coming for 31 yards. For those who thought Calvin Austin would not be a good #2 think again. He also had four catches for 70 yards including a 30 yarder. Then there is the use of the tight end. Pat Freiermuth only had three catches but his average per reception was 9.3 yards nearly a first down every time. Newcomer Jonnu Smith pulled in five catches but his were for all short yardage one of which came for a touchdown.

Rodgers not only found Jonnu Smith for a score as well as Ben Skowronek, but Calvin Austin reached the end zone on a pass as did Jaylen Warren. The Jets drew first blood driving downfield early in the first quarter but a few minutes later Rodgers-to-Skowronek gave Pittsburgh an early lead. Then it was a see-saw game. Garrett Wilson put the Jets back in front with a touchdown. Chris Boswell gave us the lead back with a 56 yard field goal. Another Jets touchdown made it 16-10. Nick Folk extended that with a field goal making it 19-10. Jonnu Smith’s touchdown made it a two point game.

At halftime trailing 19-17 the Steelers were within striking distance heading to the third quarter. The Jets struck first in the second half with a Justin Fields’ rushing touchdown and now down by nine, some Steelers fans I’m sure began to sweat. Down by nine, Aaron Rodgers’ experience showed as he led the offense downfield and found Jaylen Warren for a short touchdown score. After a Jets turnover on the ensuing kickoff Calvin Austin struck paydirt and just like that the Steelers had the lead.

Not to be outdone, the see-saw battle continued with Justin Fields driving his offense downfield and the former Steelers quarterback cruised into the end zone to give the Jets the lead again. For the second time in the game New York failed on a two point conversation and the two attempts made instead of settling for a PAT would end up being the difference in the game. 

As the game clock was winding down, past Steelers teams have had problems coming back from a deficit. That might be a thing of the past with Aaron Rodgers leading the way. Rodgers got the offense to the Jets side of the field and with 1:03 left on the clock, Pittsburgh could only get within range of a 60-yard field goal attempt. Already having booted a 56-yarder, Chris Boswell could put the Steelers back on top with what would be his longest field goal of his career. 

No sweat for Bos, he made the 60-yarder with room to spare. Word is that the kick probably traveled at least 70 yards. The Steelers defense held up and Pittsburgh earned their first victory of the season on the road. What Chris Boswell accomplished in game one was cementing the fact that he is absolutely the NFL’s best kicker. People had issues with the Steelers having to rely on field goals to win games, but as most have always said, “a win is a win.” 

To sum up the opener, I think for a change the offense outplayed the defense. Keep in mind the new faces on defense and it will simply take time for them to jell and learn how to play together and communicate. Once they are comfortable with that this defense should be able to accomplish special things. Offensively? The more Aaron Rodgers gets comfortable and stays healthy, the better he is going to be. He showed in week one he still can play and do so with results. He has plenty of weapons as well.

The running game needs to get going and how they looked against New York will hopefully not reflect a lack of talent. Jaylen Warren has never been a full time starter and Kaleb Johnson remains an unknown. Judging by the first game, Kenneth Gainwell is a disappointing free agent signing. The running game will have to made big time improvements so as to better support the passing game. 

I think this first win is huge especially coming on the road. With the Seattle Seahawks coming to the ‘Burgh for game two they lost their opener, so the Steelers have a fantastic chance to go 2-0 to start the season. As for injuries heading into Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh will be without Derrick Harmon again, Malik Harrison has been ruled out, also not playing will be DeShon Elliott. Not that we need him, but Skylar Thompson is questionable as is Nick Herbig. Joey Porter Jr. is also listed as questionable.

For Seattle, they have four players listed as questionable: Darke Young, Uchenna Nwosu, Jake Bobo, and Nick Emmanwori. 

The ex-Steelers player tracker

Justin Fields-Jets: Fields was covered earlier in this article.

Najee Harris-Chargers: I had Harris on my fantasy team but benched him. Facing the Chiefs, one carry for five yards, one reception for another five. That’s it.

Donte Jackson-Chargers: Jackson joined Harris in Los Angeles to become a Charger in the offseason and while his new team won in the opening game, Jackson made just three tackles and had one pass defended.

James Daniels-Dolphins: How much blame can Daniels and his new offensive line take for the embarrassing loss to Indianapolis? Miami lost to the Colts 33-8 and Tua Tagovailoa was sacked three times, threw for just 114 yards and had a passer rating of just 51.7. Now the Dolphins are already being talked about as the worst team in the league.

Dan Moore Jr.-Titans: Moore and his fellow linemates were responsible and will be going forward for protecting the top draft pick from this year’s draft, Cam Newton. In a 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos, Ward was sacked six times, so his protection was not particularly good. He also finished with just 112 yards passing. 

Nate Herbig-Titans: See Dan Moore above.

Elandon Roberts-Raiders: Roberts moved west in the offseason and joined Pete Carroll in his return to the NFL but for Roberts, he made just a single tackle in the Raiders victory over New England.

Kyle Allen-Lions: As a backup for Pittsburgh in 2024 now Allen is a back up in Detroit. Enough said.

Van Jefferson-Titans: Jefferson suited up for the game in Denver and did not record a single reception.

Minkah Fitzpatrick-Dolphins: Part of the Miami disaster, Fitzpatrick was a part of nine tackles, six of them solo and defended one pass. He also failed to intercept any passes. 



George Pickens-Cowboys: A dud of a debut for Dallas, it’s only a matter of time before Pickens shows the behavior that played a part in his exit from Pittsburgh. Facing the NFL champion Eagles, Pickens had just three receptions for only 30 yards with his longest being a 15 yarder. He was also only targeted four times. It remains to be seen how long he is WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb.