After a bitter last second loss to the New England Patriots, the New York Jets went into their early season bye with a lot to contemplate. They felt they played well but couldn't find a way to reliably move the ball when they needed it most. With two weeks to prepare for their match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they spent extra time working on their offense. However, their opponent also had two weeks to prepare as they too were coming off an early season bye. It was a matchup between two well rested and prepared teams, but the Jets took flight and soared past the Steelers, 37-27.

 

The Jets offense was clicking and hitting on all cylinders as they fired off the line early and often. In a bold move, the Jets coaching staff gave the starting HB nod to the rookie Jarman Livings, and it paid dividends.  He finished with 82 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts.  Not to be outdone, former starter Isaiah Crowell chipped in with 72 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, sparking a potential controversy in the Meadowlands.  With the run game hitting, all quarterback Sam Darnold had to do was manage the game, and he did that in spades.  He stretched the field going 13 of 15 for 292 yards and three touchdowns.  Since his embarrassing six interceptions week one performance, Darnold has been in a groove, throwing for 922 yards with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions on 69% completion percentage.

 

The offense was doing it's part, and the defense did just enough to keep the Jets ahead.  They gave up big yards and touchdowns to the Steelers passing game, but time was on their side and they held on long enough to secure the victory. Beyond the big plays they conceded, the Jets defense was stellar in third down defense, holding the Steelers to just 17% on third down conversions.

 

In week six the Jets start their first of three straight road games by traveling to Carson, California to matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.