Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8), center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8), center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Pittsburgh Steelers led by 10 points in the second half, but let a late lead slip away in a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, while quarterback Kenny Pickett had a record-breaking NFL debut
Kenny Pickett was the first quarterback in NFL history to have multiple rushing touchdowns in his first career game. Alex Highsmith tied James Harrison’s Steelers record with 5.5 sacks over the first four games of a season. Chris Boswell set a Heinz/Acrisure record and tied his own franchise mark with a 59-yard field goal.
George Pickens’ targets and receptions have been increasing every week. Pickens had his first 100-yard receiving game in the NFL against the Jets. Pickens caught six passes on eight targets for 102 yards (17.0 average). According to Seth Walder of ESPN, the Steelers mixed up Pickens’ routes much more on Sunday, as he previously had an extreme rate of straight downfield routes.
Chris Simms praised Kenny Pickett on NBC’s Football Night in America. “The game didn’t look too big for Kenny Pickett. He looked the part,” Simms said. Jason Garrett also thinks Pickett should remain as QB1. “Pickett walked on the field like he owned the place. He’s the Steelers quarterback,” Garrett said.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin would not commit to starting Kenny Pickett going forward. Nick Farabaugh thinks he should.
Terrell Edmunds is in the concussion protocol and three other Steelers defensive starters suffered injuries against the Jets
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Sunday’s win marked the fourth time in Jets franchise history where they led by 10+ points, lost the lead and trailed by 10+ points, and then won the game. It was their first such game since Nov. 27, 1988 against the Miami Dolphins.
According to Next Gen Stats, Jets rookie cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner allowed zero receptions on three targets in Sunday’s game.
Two former Pitt Panthers commented on Kenny Pickett’s NFL debut. “Love seeing pitt players become successful,” Tyler Boyd tweeted. LeSean McCoy also chimed in by tweeting, “Yea KENNY PICKETT .. it’s a PITT THING.”
If the season ended today, the Steelers would have the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers haven’t had a top five draft pick since 1970, when they selected Terry Bradshaw at first overall.
New linebacker acquisition David Anenih was a healthy scratch for the third straight game, as practice squad elevation Ryan Anderson got a helmet instead.
OTHER STEELERS NEWS AND LINKS
Former Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said he’s learned more about offense in a few months in Kansas City than he did in five years in Pittsburgh.
A fan was killed after the game on Sunday after he reportedly fell 40 feet from an escalator while exiting Acrisure Stadium near Gate C.
Former Steelers, Pitt and Seton La Salle offensive lineman Jim Sweeney died on Sunday at the age of 60.
Terry Bradshaw revealed that he’s had cancer twice, but is now cancer-free.
STEELERS SCHEDULE
The team will open its locker room to the media after film, meetings and treatment at 1:15 p.m. — Nick Farabaugh
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AROUND THE NFL
Dating back to last year, the Baltimore Ravens have lost five consecutive home games. They’ve done it by a total margin of 12 points.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 41-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, Tom Brady became the first player in NFL history to complete 75.0+ percent of his passes for 350+ yards with no interceptions and yet lose the game by double digits.
Arizona Cardinals defenive lineman J.J. Watt, brother to Steelers T.J. and Derek Watt, suffered a heart issue that required treatment this week, but decided to play through it as the Cardinals beat the Panthers 26-16.
The Browns and the Ravens both also lost, leaving the Steelers just one game out in the AFC North.
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Pitt Fell out of the AP Top 25 after Losing to Georgia Tech
