IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets to kickoff at 8:20pm EST in Week 7 on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (+2) with a Total of 38.5.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications…

Jeff Hartman

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets will play, but the Jets need this game far more than the Steelers. At 2-4 the Jets need this game to stay alive in the AFC East, and AFC race, but desperation doesn’t mean they will win. In fact, I have a feeling the Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers love-fest will have to wait at least a week as the tandem gets reacclimated to one another. As for the Steelers offense, I think Russell Wilson makes enough plays to win, but it’s the Steelers running game which sets the tone. Combine that with some takeaways and the win looks a lot like that with Justin Fields at the helm. Either way, it’s a win.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Jets 17

Dave Schofield

I really have no idea how this game is going to go. I could see it as a blowout either way or either team squeaking out a narrow victory. I could see it as high scoring. I could see it as low scoring. With a new dynamic wide receiver for the Jets and a different player quarterback for the Steelers, there are simply too many unknowns to have confidence in an outcome. So how do I pick the game? Since I couldn’t believe the 4-2 Steelers are at home yet are underdogs to a team with the losing record, I looked up every time this has happened to them since 1970. This will be the fourth game this happened, with the first one being in 1992 when the 0–1 Jets came to Pittsburgh to face the 1–0 Steelers and were 2.5 point favorites. In that game, the Steelers were victorious 27–10. So for no other reason, I’ll go with a repeat of this score.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Jets 10

Jeremy Betz

I don’t like this setup for Pittsburgh one bit heading into SNF against a Jets team that, despite last week’s loss, feels somewhat rejuvenated after firing Robert Saleh last week and adding Davante Adams this week. While the return of Alex Highsmith helps Pittsburgh up front, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers are 1-3 against the Jets in their last 4 matchups, and the potential switch to Russell Wilson has a chance to set an already struggling offense back a little while he gets up to speed. I expect a close game, but I don’t like how it’s shaping up for the Black & Gold.

Prediction: Jets 23, Steelers 19

Anthony Defeo

Can the Steelers lose two games at home on Sunday Night Football? It’s hard to believe. Then again, I didn’t see them losing back-to-back home games to two-win teams last December. Pittsburgh’s defense will have its hands full with the Jets receiving corps that now includes Davante Adams. This could be a game changer, but I envision T.J. Watt changing the game with a vicious takedown or two of Aaron Rodgers. I also expect Russell Wilson to show up and show out as the Steelers starting quarterback. The memes will be flying on Monday morning and include some corny stuff from Wilson and sad looks from Rodgers.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Jets 14

Big Bro Scho

Was last week enough to hop on the Steelers bandwagon again? A lot of times I would say yes, but I’m not sure I will this week. I’m a little worried about the Steelers if they make a change of quarterback. Not that I don’t think the change could work, but I’m not sure this is the week to do it. Throw in the fact that the Jets may see a little bump by their acquisition of Devonte Adams and it could spell trouble for the Steelers. My prediction is that the Steelers fall behind early, fight their way back late, but come up short at the end.

Prediction: Jets 24, Steelers 20

K.T. Smith

I’m not the most objective picker in this group. I’m picking the Steelers to win every week unless I think they’re totally overmatched. They are not overmatched this weekend, and with Russ in the lineup, what could go wrong? Plenty, of course. But the Steelers are great in prime time under Mike Tomlin so I suspect they’ll find a way to get it done on Sunday night.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Jets 18

Corey Eckenroth

This isn’t about who the Steelers are as much as who the Jets are.

We KNOW who the Steelers are on offense. They run the ball and struggle to pass. Add the fact that Russell Wilson gets his first rusty start of the season ⅓ of the way in.

Also, the Jets Pass D is #2 in the League. Tell me again why the Steelers are starting the IMMOBILE quarterback against a D that lengthens pass plays out and forces QB’s to run? Did ANYONE watch the Bills/Jets game? Did you see what Josh Allen was forced to do on some of those plays?!? You’re not getting that from EITHER QB the Steelers start Sunday.

This is EXACTLY the type of game that Justin Fields should be starting, yet the Steelers coaching staff is ignoring every warning sign there is and starting Russ. This game just screams loss, and it’s the type of game that makes you wonder what Tomlin is thinking with his QB’s..

What IS he even thinking?

Prediction: Jets 23, Steelers 19

Jason Murphy

The Jets struggled to keep Josh Allen in the pocket and while their defensive line is very good against the run, they are not the fastest when it comes to outside contain assignments. I have to believe that the will they/won’t they start Russell Wilson for this game is just a smokescreen, if the coaching staff bothered to watch any of that film. This is a matchup that begs for a running quarterback made even more so by the absence of stand out rookie center Zack Frazier. There are a lot of “if’s” in this prediction. If Fields is the starter, and if Alex Highsmith can play at a high level, then I think the Steelers grind out a close win. If Wilson starts behind this banged up line and the defensive front can’t pressure Rodgers, it could be a disappointing night yet again. I’ll take the first option.

Prediction: Steelers 19, Jets 17

Sadie Hubler

Call me a Debbie Downer, but I have some concerns with Russell Wilson getting the start this week. Through the first six weeks of the season, taking snaps behind an offensive line that is young and has been dealing with injury after injury, Justin Fields has been making plays with his legs when protection has broken down. While Russ may have an impressive resume including 9 Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring, the Steelers are losing the mobility of Justin Fields in their decision to start Wilson. I have concerns against this Jets defense with a very good defensive front.

The passing numbers will likely be more impressive than in weeks past, but the Jets pass rush and comparatively decreased mobility of Russell Wilson might just prove to be Pittsburgh’s Achilles heel. The Steelers lose a tight one.

Prediction: Jets 23, Steelers 20

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 6 game between the Steelers and Jets.