The black and gold face a desperate Jets team in a challenging Week 7 matchup.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, typically a strong home team, find themselves underdogs in their own stadium for a Sunday night primetime clash against the New York Jets. Despite being led by head coach Mike Tomlin, who has historically thrived in high-pressure situations, the Steelers have their work cut out for them as they face a Jets team desperate for a win. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and a record of 2-4, the Jets come into this game with urgency, while the Steelers are grappling with slow starts and uncertainties under center.

WR Davante Adams Looms Large

One of the most concerning matchups for the Steelers is their struggle against elite wide receivers—specifically, Davante Adams. Adams has now reunited with his old quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, forming a dynamic duo once again. While Adams is relatively new to the Jets, his impact cannot be understated. He’s also partnered with Garrett Wilson, making this one of the more dangerous receiving tandems in the NFL.

For Pittsburgh, the memory of Adams’ dominant performance last season still lingers. In Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Adams shredded the Steelers’ secondary, posting 13 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns, largely at the expense of rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. With this history in mind, Porter Jr. will have his hands full once again, as Adams enters the game with no injury designation and plenty of familiarity with the Jets’ offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett.

As Adams showed last season, he’s capable of single-handedly changing a game’s dynamic, and if the Steelers’ secondary cannot contain him, it could be a long night for the black and gold.

QB Russell Wilson’s Sack Problem

Another point of concern for the Steelers is their decision to start veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who has struggled with taking sacks in recent seasons. While the Steelers haven’t made the official announcement, it’s clear Wilson will be their man on Sunday. However, his tendency to hold onto the ball too long and take unnecessary sacks poses a risk against the Jets’ formidable defense.

The Jets rank third in the NFL in sacks, with 20 on the season. Their defensive line is a major strength, and Wilson’s propensity for taking deep sacks only amplifies the danger. In contrast, had the Steelers opted for the more mobile Justin Fields, they would have had a quarterback capable of escaping pressure and making plays on the run. Fields’ rushing ability has been instrumental in the Steelers’ 4-2 start, a dimension Wilson doesn’t provide.

Without the mobility of Fields, the Steelers will need to protect Wilson better and hope that he avoids the drive-killing sacks that have plagued him in the past.

A Pattern of Slow Starts

Perhaps the most troubling trend for Pittsburgh is their inability to get off to fast starts in recent games. In each of their last three matchups, the Steelers have found themselves trailing early, often due to a sputtering offense. In Week 4, they trailed the Colts 17-3 at halftime, a deficit they couldn’t overcome, resulting in a loss. The following week, they managed only three first-half points in a disappointing home loss to the Cowboys. Last week against the Raiders, they quickly fell behind 7-0, eventually scoring just 12 points in the first half.

These slow starts leave little room for error, especially against a Jets defense that thrives on getting after the quarterback. With a rusty Wilson under center, it’s hard to envision the Steelers suddenly finding their offensive rhythm early in this game. Against a team like the Jets, who are hungry to turn their season around, falling behind early could prove disastrous.

Final Thoughts

With the Steelers facing a determined Jets squad led by Aaron Rodgers and a dangerous receiving corps, their path to victory will not be easy. Combine that with their recent offensive struggles and the decision to start a quarterback who has a history of taking sacks, and it’s easy to see why the Steelers might struggle in this critical Week 7 showdown. The Jets are primed for a win, and the Steelers will need to overcome both their own internal issues and the external pressure from a relentless opponent.

Prediction: Jets 24, Steelers 20.