While the Jets have nothing to play for except pride on Sunday, they still have a chance to put Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes on the self.
Jets running back Le’Veon Bell and offensive assistant Hines Ward will be squaring off against their former team for the first time. Bell has insisted that this is just another game, but Ward wants a Gatorade shower if the Jets are able to pull off the upset.
A win over the Steelers wouldn’t be the most surprising thing New York has pulled off this season. However, besides the injuries that continue to afflict Gang Green, the offensive ineptitude has plagued one of the league’s worst units. It might be more of the same against one of the league’s best defensive units on Sunday.
Here are four things you need to know for the Jets’ Week 16 clash with Pittsburgh.
Le’Veon Bell faces his former team
Le’Veon Bell will play his first career game against his former team on Sunday.
While Bell expects a 50/50 reception mixed with cheers and jeers, the Jets running back claims he won’t have any added motivation facing the Steelers.
“Each and every game I play I try to give it my all. I guess if I can find an extra squeeze in there, I’m going to try,” Bell said Friday. “It is what it is with me. I always try to go out there and give my best.”
Whether Bell believes that or not, he is having his worst statistical season to date. He has rushed for just 676 yards on 204 carries with three rushing touchdowns. He also has 57 catches for 404 yards and a score.
The Jets are going to need Bell to run rampant on Sunday to give themselves a fighting chance. A revenge game might not be in the cards for Bell, but he’ll certainly be looking to eclipse the season-best 87-yard rushing performance that he set last week.
Steelers’ defense among NFL’s best
The Steelers lead the NFL in sacks, QB hits and takeaways in 2019.
Since the 1970 merger, only one team has led the NFL outright in both sacks and takeaways for a full, non-strike-shortened season, according to NFL Media Research Department. That team just happened to be the 1974 Steelers — the original Steel Curtain & Super Bowl IX champions.
The biggest concern for the Jets’ offense is Pittsburgh’s pass rush. The Steelers are tied for first in the NFL with 49 sacks this season and likely Defensive Player of the Year candidate, T.J. Watt, leads the team with 13.
In the secondary, Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a ballhawk since coming over from Miami in an early-season trade. The second-year safety out of Alabama has five interceptions and nine passes defended, leading a Steelers team that is second in the NFL with 19 interceptions.
Steelers are fully-loaded for a crucial game
The Steelers are getting healthy at the right time.
Pittsburgh will be back at full strength at the most opportune time in Week 16, as Sunday’s showdown with the Jets carries major playoff implications. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) will return, but he is not 100 percent healthy. Regardless, he is still a big boost for Pittsburgh’s offense come Sunday.
“I’m super excited,” Smith-Schuster said, “just because I haven’t been playing for a while. And now that I’m back, to be around my boys, the coaches, players, and just to be myself.”
In addition to Smith-Schuster, the Steelers will get back TE Vance McDonald and CB Joe Haden as neither was listed on Friday’s final injury report. The Steelers had nothing but full participants at practice and will be ready to go for Sunday.
Reshuffling the offense again
The Jets will be without offensive lineman Tom Compton (calf) and WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring/knee) on Sunday. Both are listed as doubtful and did not practice this week.
With Compton being the Jets’ starting right guard, Conor McDermott or Brent Qvale will slide into the starting lineup. That gives New York yet another new look on the line due to an assortment of injuries that have plagued the unit all season.
Thomas missed last Thursday’s game with his current injuries as the veteran continues to deal with knee and hamstring injury. The Jets promoted wide receiver Josh Malone from the team’s practice squad to account for Thomas’ likely absence and will most likely have second-year receiver Vyncint Smith start on the outside again.
As far as positive injury news is concerned, the Jets are optimistic that defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (neck) and S Jamal Adams (ankle) will return from their injuries. Both players have received a questionable designation, but Gang Green is optimistic regarding both returning.
