3 keys to victory for the Steelers vs. Jets in primetime Week 7 showdown

Sunday night's primetime clash between the Jets and Steelers has all the ingredients for a must-watch thriller. The Jets are fighting to keep their season alive, while the Steelers are taking a big gamble with a quarterback change, hoping to spark their offense. If this move backfires, it could lead to some serious turmoil. Regardless of the outcome, NBC is sure to see sky-high ratings with all the drama surrounding both teams.

The Jets' desperation makes them a dangerous opponent, and the Steelers need to be prepared. Here are the keys to victory for Pittsburgh to come away with a win and send the Jets back to New York in panic mode.

Let Russ Cook

The Steelers made a significant move this week, switching quarterbacks from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson. This change suggests that Mike Tomlin is looking to revitalize the passing game, which has struggled over the past two weeks. If the decision was driven by a desire to improve through the air, it’s crucial to open up the playbook and explore the full potential of this offense.

With a tough matchup against the Jets' strong defense, it’s time to move away from a run-heavy approach and aim for a more balanced, dynamic attack. The game plan will need to adapt, as Wilson isn’t as mobile as Fields, but if Tomlin made this change for a reason, it’s time to see what that vision looks like.

Turn up the heat

The Steelers defense finally got back on track, but it was against a struggling Raiders offense. So far this season, this defense has been too vanilla. The current game plan seems to rely on talent rather than scheme. With elite players across the unit, it’s a disservice not to find ways to make the defense more challenging for opponents.

The defense rarely blitzes and has been ineffective on third downs. If they can’t generate pressure with just a four-man rush, they’re going to be in trouble—especially against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, who will pick apart a defense that can’t get to him. To be successful, the Pittsburgh defense will need to find ways to blitz effectively and get creative in shutting down New York’s passing game.

Steelers must set a tone

The Steelers have struggled to establish any rhythm on both sides of the ball this season and routinely start slow. Meanwhile, the Jets are a talented team eager to bounce back after last week’s frustrating loss in a game they could have easily won. Now, with this primetime matchup looming just two weeks after their home defeat to the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, the Jets are primed to make a statement.

It’s time for Pittsburgh to come out swinging from the very start, punching the Jets offense in the mouth and setting the tone for a tough, physical game. The Steelers offense needs to show that it can be something worth watching rather than an embarrassment, and for once finally being able to move up and down the field to take an early lead in their first offensive possession.