The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets in a Week 1 showdown that featured two old faces in new places. Aaron Rodgers joined the Steelers this offseason after his former team, the New York Jets, decided to go a different direction at quarterback. That direction was in favor of the Steelers’ former quarterback, Justin FIelds.
The rare QB swap was the story in the months leading up to the game, and would be the story after the game.
Fans, experts, and oddsmakers alike had the game pegged to be a low-scoring, defensive affair – the quarterbacks had another idea. The game featured eight total touchdowns and just as many lead changes.
First Half
The Jets started the game with a 10-play drive, gashing the Steelers’ defense for 40 rushing yards, but ultimately settled for a field goal. The Steelers would respond with a 10-play drive of their own, capped off with Aaron Rodgers’ first TD pass in black and gold
Not to be shown up by his QB counterpart, Justin Fields answered with a score of his own. He hit his former Ohio State teammate, Garrett Wilson, for a 33-yard TD, right over the head of the Steelers’ newly acquired corner, Darius Slay.
The Jets added another TD and a field goal, seemingly taking control of the game before the half, but they had left Aaron Rodgers and the new-look Steelers offense too much time.
With just under 3:00 left in the first half, Rodgers orchestrated a 9-play drive, including a 30-yard completion to Calvin Austin III, who momentarily quieted those who desire a more reputable “WR2” in Pittsburgh.
Rodgers then caps the drive off with a 3-yard push pass to the versatile newcomer, Jonnu Smith.
Do the Steelers need a WR2? The debate will live on, but the question was answered on that very drive. Calvin Austin is more than capable, making a contested catch over a defender – showing that you would be foolish to underestimate his 5’9″, 162-pound frame. And although Jonnu Smith didn’t have as explosive a game, he finished 2nd on the team with 6 targets and caught one of Rodgers’ many TDs.
Second Half
Still trailing after halftime, 19-17, the Steelers opened the second half with a three-and-out. The defenses seemingly had honed in, trading two more punts until the Jets, once again, took a two-score lead.
The outlook had become bleak; the defense had allowed 147 yards rushing in three quarters and carried an 11-point deficit into the final frame. It had been seen before – the defense wearing out, the offense failing to sustain drives to give the defenders time to catch their breath and freshen up for their next outing.
Not this time, not this offense, not this quarterback.
9 plays and 68 yards later, the game was back within a single score.
With the score 26-24 in the fourth quarter, Renegade figuratively rang through our ears, even at MetLife Stadium. Had the game been played in Pittsburgh, Styx would have rocked the North Shore on the ensuing Jets drive – a drive that never was.
The Jets’ Xavier Gipson would fumble on the kickoff return, with the special teams ace and first-quarter TD recipient Ben Skowronek recovering. The offense made quick work of the turnover, converting it for Aaron Rodgers’ fourth TD pass of the day. This one goes to the unquestioned WR2, Calvin Austin III.
Justin Fields answered once again, this time with a 12-play drive that ended with another rushing TD from the dynamic QB.
A head-scratchingly easy TD run from Justin Fields gives the New York Jets another lead. T.J. Watt overpursues, resulting in him chasing air. A familiar sight for anyone who watched the Steelers’ wild card loss to the Ravens in January, where Watt frequently pursued air on the way to a 28-14 defeat, in which the score did the game no justice.
The uber-athletic QB is no longer new to the NFL or this team, having repeatedly faced Lamar Jackson, with moderate success. Historically, it’s a challenge they have welcomed with success; lately, that success has been nonexistent.
Final Moments
With 3:13 remaining in the game, trailing 32-31, the Pittsburgh offense would take the field. With 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers taking the field, there is almost nobody more suited to secure a victory, almost nobody. A 10-yard completion to Pat Freiermuth, a 19-yard pass interference penalty, and an 11-yard pass to D.K. Metcalf would set the offense up on the Jets’ 41-yard line.
The offense would subsequently move backwards, setting up a 4th & 11 at the New York Jets 42 yard line. In comes Chris Boswell. Nobody is trusted more by Steelers Nation with the game on the line.
The best kicker in the NFL and 2025 First Team All-Pro proves his worth and gives Pittsburgh the lead with 63 seconds remaining in the game. Still the most trusted man in black and gold with the game on the line.
Then it was up to the defense. The well-renowned highest-paid defense in the league. The defense that had eaten crow from its former QB all game long. It was up to them to secure the victory.
Jalen Ramsey, brought here along with Jonnu Smith in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, wins over the Steelers’ faithful with a single hit. A jarring hit on Garrett Wilson, who finished the day with 95 yards and a TD on 7 receptions.
The story is the 8th reception, the reception that never was. The would-be reception that was separated from its recipient by Jalem Ramsey.
Even though the defense was largely disappointing, they made the play when it mattered most. As we know, “style points” don’t win games. However, clutch players do. Rodgers, Boswell, Ramsey – they’re clutch, and this is just the beginning of their 2025 journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
