Steelers vs Jets - Historic Battle of Former Stars

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September 7, 2025

Sunday's duel between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets brings a unique situation in modern NFL history. MetLife Stadium will become the venue for a game where both starting quarterbacks will face teams they played for in the previous season.

Unique Quarterback Situation

For the first time since 1950, when quarterback starts began being tracked, two QBs who started for their current opponents in the previous year will meet in Week 1. The last time such a situation occurred at any point during a season was Week 7 of 2021, when Matthew Stafford's Rams faced Jared Goff's Lions.

This exceptional circumstance adds a psychological dimension to an already tense matchup. Both quarterbacks will have detailed knowledge of their former teams' systems, which could create a fascinating strategic chess match.

T.J. Watt as Defensive Force

Pittsburgh possesses one of the most dominant defensive stars in current NFL in T.J. Watt. With 33 forced fumbles, he leads all active players in this statistic, and the Steelers have a record of 19-9 (.679) in games when Watt forces a turnover.

Watt's 108.0 sacks represent a Pittsburgh franchise record and fourth place among all active players in the league. His ability to disrupt opposing offensive rhythm will be crucial against the experienced Jets offensive line.

Pittsburgh's Experience and Veteran Leadership

The Steelers can boast the most experienced roster in current NFL with a combined 49 Pro Bowl selections across all players. An average age of 27 years and 349 days makes Pittsburgh the second-oldest team in the league, behind the Washington Commanders.

This experience could be a deciding factor in critical game moments. Steelers veterans have been through many playoff battles and know how to handle pressure in important situations.

Wilson's Consistent Excellence

Garrett Wilson has established himself as one of the most reliable receiving stars in the NFL. As the only player in Jets history to begin his career with three consecutive seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards, he set a franchise standard. Last season, with 101 receptions, he became only the second player in franchise history to surpass 100 catches in a season.

Brandon Marshall was first with 109 receptions in 2015. Wilson's reliability provides the Jets with a stable offensive weapon regardless of who is at quarterback.

Jets' Playoff Drought Curse

New York faces one of the longest negative streaks in professional sports. With 14 consecutive seasons without playoffs, the Jets hold the longest drought in franchise history. Along with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, they share the longest active playoff drought across MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL.

This statistic creates enormous pressure on the organization, and each new season brings growing expectations from frustrated fans. A successful start could be key to team psychology.

Jets' Defensive Consistency

Despite playoff struggles, the Jets maintain exceptional defensive standards. In three consecutive seasons, they've finished in the league's top 5 in yards allowed per game - the longest active streak in the NFL.

The Jets last led the league in this category in 2009, which was the only such season in franchise history. Continued defensive strength gives the team a chance to compete against even the best offenses in the league.

Strategic Aspects

The game represents a classic strength-versus-strength battle. Both defenses rank among the league's best, suggesting low scoring and the importance of every possession. Key will be either team's ability to capitalize on turnovers and short field positions.

Pittsburgh will rely on their experience and physical play, while the Jets will look for ways to surprise with rookie elements in their playbook. The coaching battle between Mike Tomlin and Robert Saleh could decide the outcome.

Given both franchises' history and pressure for a successful start, a dramatic battle with minimal errors is expected.

Thanks to Stats Perform for the data

Photo:clutchpoints.com

More information:24live.com

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