This Sunday, the New York Jets face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an exciting NFL Week 2 matchup at MetLife Stadium. After a challenging game against a revitalized Aaron Rodgers last week, the Jets don't get any respite as they prepare to take on the formidable Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Known for his exceptional play, Allen is currently performing at an incredibly high level, having won his first MVP award last season. In a thrilling 41-40 victory over the Ravens last week, he showcased his skills by throwing for 251 yards in the fourth quarter and leading the Bills to three scores in the final four minutes.
For the Jets, containing Allen will be pivotal. Their defense struggled against the Steelers, showing vulnerability with several coverage breakdowns. It will be crucial for the Jets to pressure Allen and prevent him from escaping the pocket. Head Coach Aaron Glenn remarked, “There’s a number of things he does well. He’s big, he’s physical, and one thing that really stands out about him is he’s highly competitive. He can will his team to victory, and that’s something we need to counteract. Our will has to be stronger than his.” This game will undoubtedly be a test of wills between two fierce competitors.
The Jets found some success in their previous encounter with Allen, recording 11 interceptions and seven fumbles against him—his highest total against any opponent. Last week, the Jets sacked Rodgers four times, with Will McDonald contributing two sacks, demonstrating their potential to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
Despite their strengths, the Jets' secondary faced significant challenges in their loss to the Steelers. Rodgers managed to throw four touchdowns, two of which were a direct result of coverage lapses. Aside from Sauce Gardner, the other defensive backs struggled, particularly Brandon Stephens, who had a rough outing that included a touchdown allowed, a missed interception, and a missed tackle. Coach Glenn expressed optimism about Stephens, stating, “Brandon has shown improvement in coverage throughout training camp. We need to work on his ability to locate and finish on the ball. I believe he will make those plays as the season progresses.”
On a positive note, the Jets demonstrated their potential on the ground against the Steelers, rushing for 182 yards, with Breece Hall leading the charge with 107 yards on 19 carries. This week, they are set to face a Bills defense that allowed 238 rushing yards against the Ravens. With the Bills missing star defensive tackle Ed Oliver due to an ankle injury, the Jets' running game may have another opportunity to shine. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand noted, “Our offensive DNA was evident in the first game, and it was encouraging to see.”
This matchup marks the first AFC East game for Coach Glenn. The Jets have not won the division since 2002, and if they are to change their fortunes, they need to start winning divisional games. Last year, they went 2-4 in the division, suffering a sweep at the hands of the Bills. The Jets last defeated the Bills in the 2023 season opener. Despite the significance of the game, Glenn emphasized that he views each match with equal importance: “I understand that winning the division is crucial for playoff success, but I approach every game as an opportunity to win.”
Historically, September has not been kind to the Jets. Last week’s loss to the Steelers put them at 6-21 in September games since 2017. With three more games this month against the Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins, the Jets are eager to turn this trend around. They have not started a season 0-2 since 2021, Robert Saleh’s first year as coach, making this matchup against the Bills even more critical as teams that begin the season 0-2 face a steep uphill battle for playoff contention.
The gap between the Bills and Jets has been significant over the years, yet their games at MetLife Stadium tend to be closely contested. In fact, five of the last six meetings at this venue have been decided by a single score. While the Jets' offense is expected to make an impact, Josh Allen's remarkable skills may ultimately prove decisive. Expect a thrilling finish with the Bills narrowly edging out the Jets, 31-30.
