Venue: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh) Date: Sunday 2 October Kick Off: 18:00 BST
This weekend sees a battle to kick start the season in the Steel City as the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the New York Jets to Acrisure Stadium.
The New York Jets failed to take off vs the Cincinnati Bengals whilst Steelers fans were robbed of any joy as their side slumped to a miserable loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend.
Steelers first round draft pick, quarterback Kenny Pickett, will be hot on the heels of current starter Mitch Trubisky as the current leading man has shown shaky form in their opening three contests, despite head coach Mike Tomlin coming out in support of his man.
Defence will also be on the agenda for the black and gold as head coach Mike Tomlin made abundantly clear in his interview prior to the Browns matchup last weekend.
“We have the men, not only in personnel but in schematics and coaching. I expect them to be dominant.”
Despite the continued injury troubles of 2021 Defensive player of the year TJ Watt, the Steelers should still have hope for a better performance against what looks like an equally troubled Jets team.
Meanwhile the visitors have plenty to contend with themselves, as the New York Jets aim for a winning season for the first time since 2015.
A win by the tightest of margins away in Cleveland in week two gave them hope, however old habits die hard as a toothless performance at home to the Bengals shows.
While the Jets patiently await the return of Zach Wilson, stand in quarterback Joe Flacco will continue to deputise until told otherwise.
Whilst head coach Robert Saleh has faith Wilson will be back, he admits its “the doctors call”.
“I’m expecting [him back], but until the doctors say so, I’m just going to say he’s being evaluated,”
Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers as favourites, with the Jets opening as 3.5-point underdogs with our friends in Vegas.