The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 7 matchup between the Steelers and Jets.
Find a breakdown of every Week 7 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| NY Jets | Rank | @ | Pittsburgh | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1.5 | Spread | 1.5 | ||
| 19 | Implied Total | 17.5 | ||
| 18.8 | 22 | Points/Gm | 20.7 | 20 |
| 18 | 7 | Points All./Gm | 14.3 | 2 |
| 62.5 | 15 | Plays/Gm | 62.7 | 14 |
| 60 | 13 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 58.3 | 6 |
| 4.9 | 23 | Off. Yards/Play | 4.8 | 26 |
| 4.6 | 3 | Def. Yards/Play | 5 | 7 |
| 35.73% | 30 | Rush% | 52.93% | 2 |
| 64.27% | 3 | Pass% | 47.07% | 31 |
| 48.61% | 23 | Opp. Rush % | 40.86% | 11 |
| 51.39% | 10 | Opp. Pass % | 59.14% | 22 |
- The Steelers have outscored opponents 80-36 (+44) in the second half this season, the largest differential in the league.
- Pittsburgh averages 1.57 points per drive in the first half (25th) compared to 2.29 in the second half (8th).
- The Steelers allow 2.8 scoring plays per game, which is 3rd in the league.
- Only 23.2% of the drives against the Jets reach the red zone, 2nd in the NFL.
- The Jets are averaging 0.4 points per drive with a sack, 31st in the league.
- After averaging 2.31 points per drive over the first three weeks (10th), the Jets have averaged 1.31 points per drive (29th) over the past three weeks.
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: The New York offense made several positive changes in its first game since elevating Todd Downing to play caller after the coaching shakeup.
On Monday Night, Rodgers had season highs in the use of pre-snap motion (44.7% of dropbacks), play action (31.4%), and dropbacks out of the shotgun (89.8%).
Using play action, Rodgers was 7-of-11 for 131 yards (11.9 Y/A).
With motion, he was 13-of-17 for 168 yards (9.9 Y/A).
Without using either, Rodgers was 9-of-15 for 109 yards (6.9 Y/A).
If looking to attack this Pittsburgh defense, they allow 9.2 Y/A on play-action passes (23rd) and 7.7 Y/A using motion (23rd).
Pittsburgh has allowed 11.5 passing points per game (9th), but they have had one the easiest slates of opposing passers.
The two veteran passers they have faced (Joe Flacco and Dak Prescott) had weeks as QB14 and QB13 against the Steelers.
On average, Rodgers has been the QB17 weekly, with a high week as QB10.
He will get Davante Adams on the field this week, but Rodgers is still best used as a floor-based QB2, even with some paths to success here.
While the Jets can succeed by continuing to do what they did last week, the game environment still has their team total below 20 points.
Russell Wilson: The Steelers are expected to start Wilson for the first time this season on Sunday Night.
He will turn 36 in November of this season.
Wilson bounced back last season with a spike in touchdown variance, but the rest of his 2023 season looks suspect under the hood.
On the surface, it is reminiscent of the 2021 season when Carson Wentz played for the Colts before being made available the following season.
Wilson posted a 5.8% touchdown rate (3rd in the NFL last season) but threw for only 6.9 yards per pass attempt (22nd), his lowest career rate.
We have spent a lot of time suggesting that a team should “let Russ Cook,” but no matter the coordinator, Wilson's playstyle makes every offense look the same.
He lives by the mantra of shooting a 3-pointer or taking a layup.
Since he entered the NFL in 2012, Wilson has thrown the football on the intermediate level (10-19 yards downfield) just 17% of the time, which is 44th in the league. The league rate is 18.9% over that period.
His 14.9% deep throw rate is the 3rd-highest in the league.
Last year, Wilson threw the ball at or behind the line of scrimmage on 30.2% of his throws (2nd in the league) and deep on 14.5% (3rd).
No quarterback in the league threw the ball at the intermediate level at a lower rate (11%) than Wilson.
What makes this move even more curious is the state of this offensive line.
Wilson can still move, but not at the same level as Justin Fields.
Pittsburgh lost another starting offensive lineman last week with center Zach Frazier.
They now have lost Frazier, Nate Herbig, James Daniels, and Troy Fautanu.
Fields was pressured on 39.7% of his dropbacks, which was 26th in the league.
The Jets are 5th in the NFL regarding pressure rate (39.8%).
When they have pressured the opposing passer, the Jets have allowed a 44% completion rate (6th) and 4.5 Y/A (5th).
Wilson is a QB2 for fantasy purposes.
Running Back
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Learn MoreMore Week 7 Fantasy Breakdowns From The Worksheet:
| Matchup | Time |
|---|---|
| Broncos @ Saints | Thursday Night Football |
| Patriots vs. Jaguars | Sunday -- 9:30 a.m. ET (London) |
| Seahawks @ Falcons | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Titans @ Bills | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Bengals @ Browns | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Texans @ Packers | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Dolphins @ Colts | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Lions @ Vikings | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Eagles @ Giants | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Raiders @ Rams | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Panthers @ Commanders | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Chiefs @ 49ers | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Jets @ Steelers | Sunday Night Football |
| Ravens @ Bucs | Monday Night Football |
| Chargers @ Cardinals | Monday Night Football |