Gang Green Nation
The New York Jets began their 2025 NFL season with a home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets dominated the action for much of the game. The offensive line beat up on the vaunted Steelers front seven. Justin Fields played one of the finest games of his NFL career. Breece Hall ran with authority, turning back the clock to his 2022 rookie season dominance. The Jets entered the fourth quarter of the game with a two score lead, having controlled the action up until then. And still they lost. A lucky batted ball completion to D.K. Metcalf and a 60 yard field goal by Chris Boswell with a little more than a minute to play gave the game to the Steelers.
How did the power rankings feel about this tough loss for the Jets? Let’s find out.
Last year’s New York Jets ranked 31st in rush yards (1,561) and 26th in rush EPA per play (-0.10). Things were much different on Sunday, as they ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns as a team. Breece Hall and Justin Fields proved to be a dominant tandem in the backfield.
Poor defensive performance did the Jets in, however. They gave up 34 points to Pittsburgh, failing to capitalize on the 32 points their own offense scored. The New York offense was more explosive than many expected, but Aaron Rodgers was able to dice up their secondary to the tune of four passing touchdowns with no interceptions.
Last week’s ranking: No. 26
Last week’s result: lost to Steelers, 34–32
This week: vs. Buffalo
There are a lot of positives the Jets can take away from this weekend, but here’s one that rang especially true for me (someone who has covered this team as a beat reporter and has lived 10 minutes from the facility for more than a decade): When is the last time an opener has made you this excited about a young offensive coordinator? The Jets have been a haven for retreads at the position, with the last upwardly-mobile young coordinator—Mike LaFleur—run out of town by Woody Johnson. Tanner Engstrand is different and he’s cooking with Justin Fields so far.
Week 1 result: Lost to the Steelers 34-32 Preseason ranking: 28
Best newcomer performance: OT Armand Membou
The No. 7 pick allowed no sacks and one QB pressure in his debut, committing zero penalties. It wasn’t an easy assignment, either, as he faced Steelers edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Membou was physical and quick in the run game. On Braelon Allen‘s 8-yard TD run, Membou got to the second level quickly and made a key block. He was a big reason the Jets rushed for 182 yards.
*Woulda, coulda, shoulda after they fumbled away a potential win against Pittsburgh and their former leader, Aaron Rodgers. But Justin Fields...
