Varsity & JV: Winners and losers from Steelers 34-32 win over Jets

In one of the crazier back-and-forth games in recent Pittsburgh Steelers history, Pittsburgh overcame two nine-point deficits to come back in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Jets 34-32. There was a lot of good and a lot of bad put on tape on Sunday, so let’s get into the first Varsity and JV of the regular season.

Varsity

QB Aaron Rodgers

In his first game as a Steeler, Rodgers was the best player on the field. He threw four touchdown passes, making him the first Steelers quarterback to do so in his debut, and the first Steelers signal-caller

to throw four scores in a game since Ben Roethlisberger in 2020. Rodgers finished the game 22-of-30 for 244 yards, and he made all the big throws the Steelers needed him to make.

K Chris Boswell

I mean, good God, man. 60 yards. It would have been good from 70. He’s the best kicker in football by a respectable margin. He’s been the most under-appreciated kicker in the league because of a certain accused creep who is no longer in Baltimore, but now it’s not remotely a question – 9 is the gold standard for kickers.

WR DK Metcalf

Metcalf didn’t reach the end zone in this game, but had two very big catches that set the Steelers up for points. On the first drive after a drop, Rodgers came right back to Metcalf on third down, who caught the ball and took it 23 yards. Four plays later, the Steelers scored. On the first play of the second drive, Rodgers threw a screen to Metcalf, who took it 31 yards down the left sideline, which led to a Boswell field goal. He finished the day with four catches for 81 yards, both of which led the team.

WR Ben Skowronek

The gritty wideout had one catch on the day, but it went for 21 yards and his first touchdown as a Steeler, and the first touchdown of the Steelers’ season. On top of that, he recovered the fumble on the kickoff that led to Pittsburgh going ahead in the game 31-26. A true multi-tool player who does the dirty work, and he got rewarded for it on multiple occasions in Week 1.

WR Calvin Austin

Austin had several big catches in this game. On the Steelers’ final drive of the half, he had receptions of 30 and 21 yards, including a terrific contested catch down the sideline that led to Jonnu Smith getting in the end zone. His touchdown reception put the Steelers up 31-26, and he was absolutely instrumental in the Steelers’ offensive success.

EDGE T.J. Watt

Watt didn’t have a sack, but he was constantly in the backfield making plays when no one else in the front seven was. He had five tackles, two of which were for loss, as well as a pass batted down at the line of scrimmage.

CB Jalen Ramsey

What a way to make a statement in your first game as a Steeler. Justin Fields found an open Garrett Wilson on fourth down, but he was absolutely lit up by Ramsey, who jarred the ball loose to force an incompletion and seal the win for the Steelers. Defensively, the Steelers weren’t good, but their newest star made a massive play in the biggest moment.

OC Arthur Smith

Art was in his bag this game. There was a perfect blend of easy completions drawn up, some tricky stuff in the red zone with Jonnu Smith, and deep shots that gave the Steelers a chance to be explosive. It all came together in a really nice way that led to a very nice overall offensive performance.

Junior-Varsity

Everyone else on defense

The defense gave up 32 points to a Jets offense that ran it at will down their throats and made Justin Fields look like Joe Namath. Had the Steelers lost this game, Mike Tomlin and Co. would have looked even more foolish for benching Fields last season in favor of Russell Wilson (who had a horrible Week 1 performance against the Commanders) and letting him walk out of the building. Luckily, the Steelers’ future Hall of Fame quarterback bailed out the defense, which gave up 394 yards of offense. If we’re talking about specific players, Keeanu Benton was rough, and Darius Slay looked like the meme of Patrick Ewing in an Orlando Magic uniform. Less Slay, more Brandin Echols going forward, and more Yahya Black on the defensive line, please.

LT Broderick Jones

Well, so much for that promising preseason. Jones was a swinging door all afternoon, and Will McDonald blew past him for two sacks. The leash should be short, especially after that performance.