Jets vs Steelers Prediction, Picks & Prices for Tonight's NFL Preseason Game

Depth is set to be the determining factor at Acrisure Stadium on Friday night as the Jets take on the Steelers with New York laying 1.5 points (kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network).

With Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph both unavailable, backup quarterbacks will handle the majority of the action under center.

The top play here: fade the road favorite and trust Mike McCarthy’s veteran-heavy defensive unit to deliver a second consecutive preseason victory on Friday, Aug. 21.

Jets vs Steelers Prediction

Win percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the top prediction market apps.

Who Wins Jets vs Steelers? Pick: Steelers Moneyline

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn wasn’t particularly transparent when reporters asked which players would suit up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “The players are going to play,” he said. “Things can change as we get closer to game time.”

That statement hints Geno Smith and others may see the field — but the real question is how long they’ll play. The Jets are already dealing with injury concerns surrounding star running back Breece Hall and first-round selection Kenyon Sadiq, which could prompt the coaching staff to pull starters after a series or two as a precaution.

Pittsburgh is also expected to deploy some of its starters early, with second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar each likely logging a half. The two combined for 17-of-22 passing, 239 yards through the air, and three total touchdowns during their Week 1 preseason outing.

The deciding edge, however, figures to come from the Steelers’ defense. Pittsburgh’s reserves completely overwhelmed Green Bay’s second- and third-string offensive linemen last week, racking up five sacks and seven tackles for loss while holding the Packers to just six points once their starters were off the field.

Jets rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik may be in for a difficult evening.

Jets vs Steelers Over/Under Pick: Under 36.5

New York’s quarterback depth chart is underwhelming beyond Geno Smith’s early snaps. Klubnik saw only eight dropbacks in last week’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and there wasn’t much to build confidence from that performance. His most notable play came on a throw where wide receiver Garrett Wilson bailed him out with an exceptional catch.

This week figures to be considerably tougher. Pittsburgh’s second-string defense is loaded with seasoned veterans who shut down Green Bay’s backups a week ago. To put the Jets’ offensive limitations in perspective, Klubnik, Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe combined to produce just 16 points against the Buccaneers’ backup defense.

On the other side, while Howard and Allar carry a bit more upside, both quarterbacks benefited from a vanilla Packers defensive scheme in Week 1 that was repeatedly flagged for holding and defensive pass interference. Pittsburgh’s second- and third-string offensive personnel is largely made up of rookies, and that inexperience could limit the Steelers’ ability to put up points with any consistency.

It’s also worth noting that the Under has been a strong trend in the preseason, going 12-4 in Week 1 action.

Jets vs Steelers Weather

Weather is not expected to play a significant role during the game itself, though rainfall in Pittsburgh earlier in the day could affect playing conditions given that Acrisure Stadium features a natural grass surface.

How to Watch Jets vs Steelers

Jets vs Steelers Latest Injuries

Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

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