Steelers vs Jets: Five Takeaways from Pittsburgh’s 34-32 Week 1 Thriller

Game snapshot

If Week 1 is supposed to set a tone, this one screamed fireworks. The Steelers vs Jets opener delivered 66 total points, five straight scoring drives to start the game, and three phases deciding the final minute. Pittsburgh escaped 34-32 after Chris Boswell drilled a career-long 60-yard field goal and the defense shut the door on New York’s last-gasp fourth down.

The flow was frantic and clean early. Both teams marched at will, trading touchdowns and field goals without a single punt through the opening stretch. The Jets carried a 19-17 lead into halftime, leaning on Justin Fields’ legs and Garrett Wilson’s burst. The Steelers countered with Aaron Rodgers’ rhythm passing and quick-hitting red zone calls that looked like they’d been in the playbook for years, not months.

The fourth quarter turned the volume up. Pittsburgh’s special teams jarred the ball loose to flip momentum, Rodgers cashed in with two touchdown drives in under a minute, and Boswell landed the knockout with that 60-yarder just over a minute to go. New York still had a shot, but Jalen Ramsey—one of Pittsburgh’s splashy offseason additions—broke up Fields’ fourth-down heave with 25 seconds left.

Rodgers’ debut in black and gold was the headline. He completed 22 of 30 for 244 yards and four touchdowns, facing his former team and showing the same late-game command that defined his best years. He got the ball out on time, trusted his reads, and used tempo to keep the Jets in nickel and dime looks they couldn’t disguise. His chemistry with DK Metcalf and Ben Skowronek showed up fast—tough catches in traffic, smart option routes, and a key 11-yard strike to Metcalf that set up Boswell’s winner.

Fields matched him punch for punch for most of the night. In his Jets debut, he threw for 218 yards and a touchdown, added two more on the ground, and ripped a gorgeous 33-yard scoring shot to Wilson. New York leaned into what Fields does best: movement throws, designed keepers, and reads that let him attack edges. He looked decisive and confident, especially in the red zone, where his speed forced Pittsburgh’s linebackers to pick their poison.

Defense and special teams still mattered, even in a shootout. Pittsburgh’s coverage units swung a possession with that forced fumble. Ramsey’s timing in man coverage saved the day at the end. The Jets mixed pressure looks and tried to squeeze throwing lanes, but Rodgers’ quick game and the Steelers’ protection plan limited the truly damaging hits. On the other side, New York’s run-action and motion kept Pittsburgh honest, creating just enough balance to keep the chains moving.

Five takeaways

1. Rodgers’ ceiling changes the AFC picture. Four touchdowns on 30 attempts is ruthless efficiency, but the real story was timing and trust. He didn’t chase hero-ball throws; he won with leverage and matchups. When the Steelers needed a go-ahead drive, he operated at tempo, took the profits, and let his receivers do work after the catch. If this is the baseline, Pittsburgh’s offense can get to 27–30 points on routine days.

2. Justin Fields looks comfortable—and dangerous—in New York. The plan fit him: movement, quick rhythm, and clear half-field reads. His two rushing scores were not gimmicks; they were built off looks the Steelers had to respect. The 33-yard strike to Garrett Wilson came off a clean pocket and a decisive trigger. The growth area is late-game management—two-minute mechanics, clock, and protections—but the arrow is up. The Jets paid for upside at quarterback and early signs say they got it.

3. The perimeter talent is going to tilt games. DK Metcalf’s presence changes spacing even when he doesn’t get the ball; safeties shaded, corners played with outside leverage, and Pittsburgh mined those tells. Ben Skowronek filled the “dirty work” role—crack blocks, slot choice routes, and third-down catches that keep drives alive. For New York, Garrett Wilson proved again he’s a problem at all three levels. The Jets also sprinkled in backs and tight ends on screens and flat routes to steal efficient yards, a smart counter to Pittsburgh’s pass rush.

4. In the trenches, both lines held up under stress. Neither side dominated, yet both quarterbacks played from structure more than chaos, which says protection plans were sound. Pittsburgh mixed gap runs to set up play-action and short-yardage calls; New York leaned on zone looks to keep the front moving and to give Fields pull-and-keep options. Penalties were kept in check for a season opener, which helped the offensive flow. Come December, both teams will want more consistent run efficiency on early downs to avoid asking their QBs to win every week in shootouts.

5. Special teams and situational football separated the teams. Boswell’s 60-yarder is a weapon most coaches don’t have—and Mike Tomlin showed faith by taking the long attempt instead of punting for field position. The earlier forced fumble on coverage flipped a possession at a moment when the Jets’ offense was humming. Ramsey’s late breakup was textbook: align, read the release, play through the hands without grabbing. New York had chances, but Pittsburgh won the hidden-yardage battle and the final two critical snaps.

There’s a bigger theme here: both offenses can stress a defense in multiple ways. Pittsburgh can win with timing routes and red-zone isolation. New York can stay on schedule with quarterback run threats and quick answers against pressure. The opener suggested both teams will live near the top of the weekly scoring charts—and that their rematch, if we get one in January, would be must-watch TV.

For the Steelers, the encouraging part is how quickly the new pieces fit. Rodgers’ command, Metcalf’s gravity, Skowronek’s utility, and Ramsey’s presence add layers that weren’t there a year ago. For the Jets, Fields’ comfort level and Wilson’s chemistry looked like a foundation, not a one-off. Clean up the late-game details, and they’ll win games like this more often than not.

Week 1 is about signals. Pittsburgh showed it can close. New York showed it can go score-for-score with a contender. If this is the standard, Sundays are going to be loud.