Jets spoil Kenny Pickett’s debut with game-winning drive vs Steelers
By Brandon Walker
The Pittsburgh Steelers nearly pulled off the win with Kenny Pickett under center in the second half, but the Jets fought back late.
Breece Hall scored a one-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining as the New York Jets defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-10 on Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.
In the first quarter, after a Mitch Trubisky pass was intercepted by Lamarcus Joyner of the Jets, Greg Zuerlein connected on a 38-yard field goal that took seven plays and 16 yards.
The Jets led the Steelers 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Jets won the time of possession 7:53-7:07, outgained the Steelers 51-44, according to ESPN stats, and the turnover by Trubisky was the only turnover of the quarter, that led to the field goal.
In the second quarter, Braxton Berrios on an end-around reminiscent of the Philly Special, threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Zach Wilson to cap off a drive that took nine plays and 70 yards. The drive was highlighted by receptions of 20 and 28 yards on the drive.
The Steelers cut the lead to 10-3 on a 51-yard field goal on a drive that took ten plays and 42 yards that featured a nice catch by Diontae Johnson, but he had his toe was out of bounds. The drive featured strong runs of 14 yards by Jaylen Warren and 13 yards by Najee Harris.
As the Jets were driving down the field for a field goal right before halftime, Cam Sutton intercepted a pass from Wilson towards the end zone that Kept the score at 10-3.
The Steelers got close enough on their final drive of the first half to try a Hail Mary, but the pass was intercepted by Jordan Whitehead, but a roughing the passer call on Carl Lawson got them close enough for them to get in position for Boswell to try a 59-yard field goal in which he connected on at the end of the first half.
The Jets led the Steelers 10-6 at halftime.
Kenny Pickett came into the game to replace an ineffective Mitch Trubisky to start the second half. Trubisky went 7 for 13 for 84 yards and threw an interception. Trubisky was sacked three times.
On Pickett’s first drive of the game, the Steelers were running the ball effectively Pickett’s first pass went off the hand of Chase Claypool and into the hands of Jordan Whitehead.
Kenny Pickett nearly led Steelers to victory vs Jets
On the Jets’ ensuing possession, Wilson had his pass intercepted by Minkah Fitzpatrick and returned to the five-yard line. This led to a one-yard quarterback keeper from Pickett to put the Steelers on top 13-10.
The Steelers led the Jets 13-10 at the end of the third quarter.
Pickett scored his second rushing touchdown of the game at the start of the fourth quarter to put the Steelers up 20-10 that concluded a 12-play, 84-yard drive. Pickens went 6 for 7 for 54 yards on the drive with a 14-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth, and a 22-yard connection to George Pickens. Pickett looked sharp and showed the ability to go to his second and third reads.
The Jets struck back when Zach Wilson connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Corey Davis to cap off an 11-play, 81-yard drive that featured a 35-yard reception by Garrett Wilson.
On the Steelers’ ensuing possession Pickett threw a pass that went off of Freiermuth’s chest and into the hands of Michael Carter. On the Jets ensuing possession Hall scored on a one yard run to put the Jets up 24-20 with 18 seconds remaining. The Steelers tried a Hail Mary, but it was intercepted by Joyner.
At 1-3, with a gauntlet of teams that currently hold winning records. It seems like the Steelers will be in trouble, so they finally are ripping off the band-aid and admit they are going to see what the future is with Pickett.
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The Steelers will travel to Highmark Stadium to face off against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday, while the Jets will host the Miami Dolphins next Sunday.