Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets: Full Week 10 Preview for New York
The New York Jets have a chance to make history in the worst kind of way this weekend when they match up with Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets will tie the longest in-season losing streak in franchise history (nine) with a defeat.
It's been an embarrassing and disheartening season all around for Gang Green, and the future of the franchise looks cloudy at best.
Things probably won't get much easier this weekend when the Steelers come to town.
Pittsburgh has had New York's number in recent seasons and comes into MetLife Stadium as one of the hottest teams in the NFL.
Click through to see a full preview and analysis, as well as a final score prediction, for this Week 10 AFC battle.
Week 9 Recap
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It was a vast improvement over the humiliating effort of Week 8, but the Jets still failed to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, losing 24-10.
New York was dominated in the first quarter on both sides of the ball, and the Chiefs rushed out to a 14-0 lead early.
Michael Vick and the offense got it together as the game went along, and the front seven managed to contain Jamaal Charles following a horrendous first few drives.
However, lack of execution in the opponent's half, coupled with a poor pass rush and secondary play, prevented the Jets from ever being really competitive.
There were some positives, however. Michael Vick avoided turning the ball over and led some effective drives. Chris Johnson rattled off some big runs, and Eric Decker and Percy Harvin formed a dangerous receiving duo, combining for the majority of New York's offensive yardage.
Nonetheless, it's clear the Jets lack the talent, especially in the secondary, to compete with the top-level teams in the AFC.
News and Notes
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Geno Will Ride the Pine Again in Week 10
Smith's trip to the bench will last more than just one game, as Michael Vick is expected to start again on Sunday, per Dan Hanzus of NFL.com.
Vick was solid, if unspectacular, in Week 9, completing 21 of 28 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Most importantly, he didn't turn the ball over, which is something Smith had been unable to do all season.
Smith may still have a chance to start later in the year if Vick struggles or suffers an injury, which is very much a possibility.
The main question this week is whether Smith will even be active. New York chose to go with Matt Simms as the backup quarterback against the Chiefs and may decide to do so again this weekend.
Idzik Is the Subject of Fans' Wrath
Jets fans have found their scapegoat for the team's disastrous 1-8 start to the season—general manager John Idzik.
Idzik has made several questionable moves since taking over as GM, such as failing to utilize the team's cap space this offseason while giving money to subpar free agents who haven't produced. Additionally, most of Idzik's draft picks have yet to make an impact.
This week, New York supporters made their disapproval of Idzik known, flying a "Fire Idzik" plan over Jets practice and raising enough money for multiple billboards that urge the dismissal of the GM.
Rex Ryan is almost guaranteed to be gone after the season, but it wouldn't be surprising if Idzik went with him.
Suck for the Duck?
The Jets possess one of the worst records in the NFL. In fact, if the draft was held now, they would hold the third overall selection.
Gang Green will be looking for a franchise quarterback in the draft, and the two teams that would pick ahead of them today, the Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars, won't be.
Both Oakland and Jacksonville drafted quarterbacks in last year's draft, so they'll be looking for talent at other positions.
That means New York would probably have the opportunity to select the best quarterback of the last few draft classes in Marcus Mariota.
Mariota has led a record-breaking Oregon offense in recent seasons, and he possesses the size (6'4", 219 pounds), mobility and arm to be a star quarterback at the NFL level.
At this point, the Jets might as well tank in order to select Mariota, who could immediately turn around the beleaguered franchise.
Injury Report
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| Player | Injury | Status |
| Oday Aboushi | Shoulder | Probable |
| Antwan Barnes | Knee | Probable |
| Willie Colon | Knee | Probable |
| Breno Giacomini | Illness | Probable |
| David Harris | Shoulder | Probable |
| Percy Harvin | Heel | Probable |
| Chris Johnson | Ankle | Probable |
| Jeremy Kerley | Non-Injury | Probable |
| Nick Mangold | Shoulder | Probable |
| Trevor Reilly | Knee | Probable |
| Sheldon Richardson | Illness | Probable |
| Greg Salas | Wrist | Probable |
| Geno Smith | Right Shoulder | Probable |
| Michael Vick | Foot | Probable |
| Darrin Walls | Calf | Doubtful |
| Muhammad Wilkerson | Illness | Probable |
The Jets have had a lot of bad luck in recent weeks, but injuries haven't been one of them.
After being hampered by the injury bug through the first month of the year, New York has actually been very healthy recently.
All but one of New York's starters, Darrin Walls, is in line to play against the Steelers. Walls is expected to miss his second straight game with a calf injury, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.
Either Philip Adams or Josh Thomas should draw the start in his stead.
Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Breno Giacomini dealt with illnesses this week, but they practiced fully on Thursday and should be 100 percent on Sunday.
Jeremy Kerley will miss Friday's practice for personal reasons, but he's also expected to play.
Injury report courtesy of the official website of the New York Jets.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Rex Ryan vs. Ben Roethlisberger
If you thought the Jets' run of facing elite opposing quarterbacks was over, you were dead wrong.
Ben Roethlisberger enters Sunday's game as one of the top candidates for MVP, as he's tossed for 2,720 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions in nine games in leading the Steelers to a 6-3 record.
Roethlisberger has been historically remarkable the last two weeks, tossing six touchdowns in consecutive games while averaging 431 yards per contest.
To put it simply, Big Ben and top wideout, Antonio Brown, have been unstoppable of late. And they're licking their chops while looking at the dreadful Jets secondary.
The only hope the Jets have of preventing another historic day is through Rex Ryan's defensive schemes.
Ryan needs to call his best game of the season—maybe even of his career—to contain the Steelers passing attack.
Eric Decker and Percy Harvin vs. Steelers Secondary
Decker and Harvin looked like a dangerous one-two punch last week, and they have real chance to do the same against a subpar Steelers secondary.
Pittsburgh ranks in the bottom half of the league in pass defense, and it has surrendered big days to multiple receivers this year.
Decker and Harvin are two of the only productive players in New York's passing game, so the offense goes as they do. If both can find room in the secondary and make big plays, Michael Vick and the offensive unit might move the ball downfield and put up some points.
Breno Giacomini vs. James Harrison
Giacomini has had an up-and-down first year in New York, but he'll need to bring his best to MetLife on Sunday, as he lines up against the red-hot James Harrison.
Harrison wasn't even on an NFL roster for most of September, but he was brought in by his old team midway through the season and has made the most of his second chance.
The 36-year-old has piled up four sacks in the last two games, as he's been the heart and soul of the Steelers pass rush.
The former Defensive Player of the Year looks re-energized, and he will pose a significant challenge to Giacomini.
If the right tackle can't contain Harrison, Vick and Gang Green's offense could be in for a long day.
Jets' X-Factor of the Week: Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson has been a disappointment in his first year in Green and White, but he's coming off his best effort of the season. He carried the ball 11 times for 69 yards in Week 9 while also notching 32 yards in the passing game.
Johnson needs to repeat his sensational performance on Sunday against a mediocre Steelers front, as the Jets offense needs to be able to develop and sustain a running game in order to keep Roethlisberger and Co. off the field.
Chris Ivory can't do it all himself, so an effective day from Johnson will go a long way toward controlling the pace of the game.
Prediction
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The Jets and the Steelers enter their Week 10 matchup heading in completely opposite directions.
Pittsburgh has won three straight against solid opponents, as Roethlisberger and Brown have been unstoppable. The defense, which struggled early in the season, has also rounded into form.
Meanwhile, New York has continued to self-destruct, as inconsistent quarterback play and an awful secondary have doomed the team.
Vick should have an efficient day against a vulnerable Steelers secondary, but it's impossible to imagine the Jets secondary having its way with Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh's passing attack.
It would be far from surprising to see Big Ben have another huge day, as Gang Green's defense has become a matchup that opposing quarterbacks circle on their calendars.
The Jets will play hard and compete to an extent, but the Steelers are playing as well as any team in football right now and are simply on another level.
Prediction: Steelers 30, Jets 16
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