The New York Jets vs Steelers Match Player Stats have a storied rivalry, and their Week 7 matchup on October 20, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium was a thrilling chapter. The final score of 37-15 in favor of the Steelers tells only part of the story. This game was packed with standout performances, critical turning points, and stats that reveal why Pittsburgh pulled away while the Jets struggled in the second half. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just curious about how your favorite players performed, this easy-to-read breakdown of the New York Jets vs. Steelers match player stats will give you all the details in a clear, engaging way.
Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves
The Jets started strong, building a 15-6 lead by halftime with touchdowns from running back Breece Hall and tight end Tyler Conklin. However, the Steelers, led by quarterback Russell Wilson in his first start for the team, turned the tide in the second half, scoring 31 unanswered points. Rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr.’s two interceptions were game-changers, flipping momentum and leading to 14 Pittsburgh points. The Jets’ offense, despite the addition of star wide receiver Davante Adams, couldn’t keep up, and their defense faltered after a promising start.
Let’s dive into the player stats to see who shone, who struggled, and how this game unfolded through the numbers.
Quarterback Performances: Wilson vs. Rodgers
Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Russell Wilson, making his Steelers debut after a calf injury sidelined him for the first six weeks, had a slow start but found his rhythm. He completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. Wilson also added a 1-yard rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak, showcasing his dual-threat ability. His 264 passing yards set a franchise record for a quarterback’s debut with the Steelers, proving why head coach Mike Tomlin chose him over Justin Fields.
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Passing Stats: 16/29, 264 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
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Rushing Stats: 3 carries, 3 yards, 1 TD
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Key Moment: An 11-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens late in the first half, which cut the Jets’ lead to 15-13 and shifted momentum.
Wilson’s ability to spread the ball to six different receivers, including tight end Darnell Washington and wide receiver Van Jefferson, kept the Jets’ defense guessing. His deep ball connected with Pickens for a season-best performance, showing that Wilson still has the arm strength that made him a star with the Seattle Seahawks.
Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets)
Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ veteran quarterback, had a mixed performance. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Both picks, thrown to rookie Beanie Bishop Jr., were costly, leading directly to Steelers touchdowns. Rodgers connected with six different receivers, including new addition Davante Adams, but their chemistry was off, with Adams catching only 3 of 9 targets for 30 yards.
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Passing Stats: 24/39, 276 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
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Rushing Stats: 1 carry, 3 yards
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Key Moment: A 1-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Conklin in the second quarter, giving the Jets a 15-6 lead.
Rodgers showed flashes of his Green Bay Packers greatness, especially in the first half, but the interceptions and a blocked field goal by Greg Zuerlein in the third quarter killed the Jets’ momentum. The offense stalled in the second half, managing zero points as the Steelers’ defense tightened.
Running Back Performances: Power and Speed
Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Najee Harris was a workhorse for the Steelers, rushing 21 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. His 4.9 yards per carry average highlighted his ability to grind out tough yards against a Jets defense known for its pass-rushing prowess. Harris’s 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the game, putting Pittsburgh up 37-15.
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Rushing Stats: 21 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD
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Receiving Stats: 2 receptions, 22 yards
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Key Moment: A 36-yard run in the third quarter that set up a field goal, giving the Steelers a 16-15 lead.
Harris’s performance was a reminder of his consistency, as he’s now had back-to-back games with significant long runs, a rarity in his first 56 career games.
Breece Hall (New York Jets)
Breece Hall was the Jets’ offensive spark, especially in the first half. He rushed 12 times for 38 yards and scored a 13-yard touchdown. Hall also led the team in receiving, catching 6 passes for 103 yards, including a 31-yard catch-and-run that set up a scoring drive. However, the Jets’ run game struggled overall, managing just 54 yards on 15 attempts (3.6 yards per carry).
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Rushing Stats: 12 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD
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Receiving Stats: 6 receptions, 103 yards
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Key Moment: His 13-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave the Jets an early 7-3 lead.
Hall’s versatility as a runner and receiver kept the Jets competitive early, but the team’s inability to sustain drives in the second half limited his impact.
Braelon Allen (New York Jets)
Rookie Braelon Allen, the NFL’s youngest player at 20 years old, added 3 carries for 16 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. While his role was limited, his efficiency suggests he could be a bigger factor in future games.
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Rushing Stats: 3 carries, 16 yards
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Receiving Stats: None
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: Big Plays and Missed Opportunities
George Pickens (Pittsburgh Steelers)
George Pickens was Wilson’s go-to target, catching 5 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. His 11-yard touchdown grab just before halftime was a turning point, narrowing the Jets’ lead to 15-13. Pickens’s ability to win contested catches paired perfectly with Wilson’s deep ball, and his 37-yard reception in the third quarter set up a key field goal.
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Receiving Stats: 5 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD
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Key Moment: The 11-yard touchdown catch that sparked Pittsburgh’s comeback.
Davante Adams (New York Jets)
Davante Adams, in his Jets debut after a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, had a quiet game. Targeted 9 times, he caught just 3 passes for 30 yards, a stark contrast to his historical connection with Rodgers in Green Bay, where they connected at over 70% completion. The Steelers’ defense, particularly Beanie Bishop Jr., kept Adams in check.
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Receiving Stats: 3 receptions, 30 yards
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Key Moment: A 9-yard catch in the first quarter, his first as a Jet, setting up a touchdown drive.
Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tight ends Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth stepped up for Pittsburgh. Washington, known more for blocking, caught a career-high 4 passes for 36 yards, while Freiermuth hauled in a 30-yard reception, his longest since 2022. Their contributions added versatility to the Steelers’ passing game.
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Washington’s Stats: 4 receptions, 36 yards
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Freiermuth’s Stats: 2 receptions, 35 yards
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Key Moment: Freiermuth’s 30-yard catch in the third quarter, setting up a field goal.
Tyler Conklin (New York Jets)
Tight end Tyler Conklin scored the Jets’ second touchdown on a 1-yard catch in the second quarter. He finished with 2 receptions for 17 yards, but his impact was limited as the offense fizzled in the second half.
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Receiving Stats: 2 receptions, 17 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Standouts: Interceptions and Sacks
Beanie Bishop Jr. (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. was the game’s MVP, intercepting Aaron Rodgers twice. His first pick at midfield just before halftime led to a touchdown, and his second in the third quarter, returned 41 yards to the Jets’ 1-yard line, set up Wilson’s rushing score. Bishop became the first Steelers undrafted rookie since 1991 to pick off two passes in a game and the fifth player ever to intercept Rodgers twice in one game.
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Defensive Stats: 2 interceptions, 41 return yards
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Key Moment: His second interception, which set up a touchdown and gave Pittsburgh a 23-15 lead.
T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh’s Defensive Line
T.J. Watt, a perennial All-Pro, recorded a pass deflection and contributed to Pittsburgh’s four pass deflections by the defensive line and edge rushers. Nose tackle Keeanu Benton had two deflections, and Cam Heyward added one. Larry Ogunjobi’s sack on Rodgers in the first quarter stalled a Jets drive. The Steelers’ defense held the Jets to 15 points and shut them out in the second half.
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Watt’s Stats: 1 pass deflection, 2 tackles
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Ogunjobi’s Stats: 1 sack, 3 tackles
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Benton’s Stats: 2 pass deflections
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Heyward’s Stats: 1 pass deflection, 4 tackles
Will McDonald IV (New York Jets)
Defensive end Will McDonald IV, the Jets’ pass-rushing star, sacked Russell Wilson in the second quarter, his eighth sack of the season, second only to Detroit’s Aiden Hutchinson. The Jets’ defense, which leads the league with a 9.5% sack rate when rushing four, recorded one sack but couldn’t disrupt Wilson enough in the second half.
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Defensive Stats: 1 sack, 3 tackles
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Key Moment: His sack on Wilson in the second quarter, forcing a punt.
Jalen Mills (New York Jets)
Safety Jalen Mills, elevated from the practice squad, started alongside Tony Adams and led the Jets with 7 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass deflection. Despite his effort, the Jets’ defense couldn’t stop Pittsburgh’s 24-point second half.
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Defensive Stats: 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass deflection
Special Teams: A Costly Miss
Chris Boswell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Kicker Chris Boswell was perfect, nailing all three field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder in the first quarter and a 21-yarder in the third that gave Pittsburgh the lead for good. His consistency was crucial in a game where every point mattered early.
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Kicking Stats: 3/3 FGs, longest 46 yards, 4/4 PATs
Greg Zuerlein (New York Jets)
Kicker Greg Zuerlein’s blocked 35-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter was a momentum-killer. The Jets were trailing 16-15, and the miss allowed Pittsburgh to extend their lead on the next drive.
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Kicking Stats: 0/1 FG (blocked), 1/2 PATs
Team Stats: A Statistical Snapshot
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Total Yards: Steelers 409, Jets 323
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Turnovers: Steelers 0, Jets 2
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First Downs: Steelers 21, Jets 17
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Time of Possession: Steelers 32:09, Jets 27:51
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Rushing Yards: Steelers 149 (4.1 yds/att), Jets 54 (3.6 yds/att)
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Passing Yards: Steelers 260, Jets 269
The Steelers dominated total yards and time of possession, while the Jets’ two turnovers were costly. Pittsburgh’s four completions of 30-plus yards compared to the Jets’ one highlighted their ability to make big plays.
Key Takeaways: What the Stats Tell Us
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Momentum Matters: The Jets led 15-13 at halftime, but Bishop’s interceptions and Zuerlein’s blocked field goal swung the game. Pittsburgh’s 31-0 run in the second half showed their ability to capitalize on mistakes.
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Wilson’s Impact: Russell Wilson’s efficient performance (264 yards, 3 total TDs) validated Tomlin’s decision to start him. His connection with Pickens could be a game-changer for Pittsburgh’s offense.
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Jets’ Struggles: Despite Rodgers’ 276 yards and Hall’s 103 receiving yards, the Jets’ offense couldn’t sustain drives, and their defense allowed 24 points in the second half. Adams’ quiet debut suggests he and Rodgers need time to gel.
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Defensive Heroes: Beanie Bishop Jr.’s two interceptions and the Steelers’ defensive line’s four pass deflections were pivotal. The Jets’ pass rush, led by McDonald, was effective early but faded late.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for New York Jets vs Steelers Match Player Stats Both Teams?
The Steelers (5-2) moved into first place in the AFC North, a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens. Their next game is against the New York Giants on October 28, 2024, before a bye week. Wilson’s debut suggests Pittsburgh’s offense could reach new heights, especially if Pickens and Harris continue to shine.
The Jets (2-5) dropped their fourth straight game, falling three games behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. They face the New England Patriots on October 27, 2024, aiming to snap their losing streak. Rodgers and Adams will need to find their rhythm, and the defense must regroup to salvage their season.
Why These New York Jets vs Steelers Match Player Stats Matter for Fans
For Steelers fans, this game was a statement. Wilson’s performance, Pickens’s breakout, and Bishop’s heroics show this team can compete with the AFC’s best. For Jets fans, the loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially with Adams’ arrival raising expectations. The stats highlight areas for improvement, like reducing turnovers and sustaining defensive pressure.
Whether you’re analyzing fantasy football options or just love breaking down the numbers, these player stats tell the story of a game that was closer than the final score suggests. The Jets showed fight early, but the Steelers’ resilience and clutch plays made the difference.
Final Thoughts
The New York Jets vs Steelers Match Player Stats on October 20, 2024, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Steelers pulling away for a 37-15 victory. From Russell Wilson’s record-setting debut to Beanie Bishop Jr.’s game-changing interceptions, the stats reveal a game defined by big plays and critical errors. For fans of all ages, these numbers are more than just data—they’re the heartbeat of a rivalry that continues to captivate.