In an important stretch of their schedule, the New York Jets would probably rather not face the Pittsburgh Steelers at this point. Ryan Fitzpatrick is in a fragile state after throwing nine interceptions in his last two games and the Jets are in need of a victory before their playoff hopes get dashed quickly. Can Fitz respond the way the Steelers did to their first loss of the year? Pittsburgh steamrolled the Chiefs on Sunday night and are back to looking like the Super Bowl contender many predicted. They’ll try to keep the offense rolling against the Jets in Week 5.
Watch this regular season Week 5 matchup live on Sunday, October 9, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Heinz Field.
Odds Analysis
Following Pittsburgh’s Sunday night triumph, the line had yet to hit the board. But considering how good the Steelers looked in their dismantling of the Chiefs, it’s safe to say they will be a favorite against the Jets. The line will likely open in the 5-6 point range and the Steelers will get plenty of action considering how the team’s fared last weekend. The Jets still have some issues to address and doing that on the road in Pittsburgh isn’t the place.
Injury Report
Darrelle Revis – The Jets beleaguered pass defense would have a tough time against the Steelers and Antonio Brown when healthy. They may have to face them without their top cornerback. Revis injured his hamstring late in the Seahawks game and didn’t return. Revis isn’t having his best season, but he’s the best the Jets have at the corner to combat Brown.
Ryan Shazier – Pittsburgh’s defensive leader missed last game and his status is uncertain while he recovers from a knee injury. Shazier is easily the most talented defender and his ability to stop the run is a strength. The Jets will try to exploit the second level with Matt Forte while limiting Fitzpatrick’s downfield opportunities.
Player to Watch
It’s hard not to be a little gun shy after throwing nine picks in two weeks and the Jets will play close attention to Ryan Fitzpatrick when they meet the Steelers on Sunday. New York spent most of the offseason trying to come to common ground with their quarterback on a contract settlement. The lack of a signed agreement cost Fitzpatrick some time away from the Jets facility during OTA’s and landed him on the roster right before training camp. It was a weird situation and one that put the 33-year-old behind the rest of his teammates when preparing for the season. But the Jets wanted Fitzpatrick and gave him a good chunk of dough to comeback.
But Fitzpatrick is a journeyman who is playing for his sixth team after arriving in a trade with the Texans. He’s been a starter in Buffalo and Houston but brought just a 43-61 record as a starter during his 11 seasons and has yet to lead a team to the playoffs. The Jets were on the verge last season, one win away from a postseason berth before Fitz tossed three interceptions in a season-ending loss to the Bills. With expectations sky-high in New York following 10-wins and a near playoff appearance last season, the Jets, and mainly Fitzpatrick, have faltered.
Free ATS Pick
The Jets were close last season and things have started to slip away. At 1-3 and facing the Steelers and Cardinals in the next two weeks, New York could be staring at five losses in six games and the postseason looking further and further away. The pass defense has been a huge issue and the Jets might have to face Big Ben and Antonio Brown without their top cornerback. If Revis sits, the Jets have no comparable backup and Pittsburgh’s already potent attack could become even more lethal.
New York’s pass offense has been as bad as its pass defense and the results have been predictable. Fitzpatrick has thrown nine interceptions in two games and leads the NFL with 10 through four weeks. We can’t expect that pace to continue and it won’t, but Fitz has to be hesitant when he cocks the arm and the Steelers will be ready. An injury to Forte and the lack of a ground game won’t help Fitzpatrick and the Jets. Meanwhile, the Steelers are firing on all cylinders now that Le’Veon Bell is back in the lineup. They’ll be tough to stop.
NFL Odds: Steelers 31, Jets 24
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