PITTSBURGH — Woody Johnson's chips are now aggressively pushed into the middle of the table.
The Jets acquired star receiver Davante Adams this week ahead of Sunday's must-win game, perhaps the last chance before the Jets team was hit with napalm for the first time in Johnson's 24-year tenure as team owner. That was it. In Pittsburgh.
Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh last week after more than three years, hoping the shake-up would spark an underperforming team.
He said the team would play better and more disciplined football under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, that the penalties would be reduced and that embattled offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted to Penske. He hoped that by being tasked with overseeing the files, he would be able to carry out more efficient attacks.
And that's what Johnson got in Monday night's 23-20 home loss to the Bills. It's a carbon copy of the performance the Jets had under Saleh when they went 2-3 in their first five games.
The Jets committed 11 penalties for 110 yards, went 1-of-4 in the red zone and missed two killer field goals.
They enter this game against the 4-2 Steelers on a three-game losing streak, falling behind by a total of 10 points.
Will Davante Adams, the newest addition to the Jets' effort to surround quarterback Aaron Rodgers with everything they want, make up for those 10 points going forward?
“We have to win,” receiver Allen Lazard told the Post. “We're 2-4 right now, but I think our talent definitely isn't reflected in our record. We've got to put together four good quarters and do whatever it takes to come out of there with a W.” No.”
In this game, the Jets are a team desperately making changes to avoid a season slump, while the other team, the 4-2 Steelers, is making significant changes at quarterback this week to go from good to even better. changes have been made. Maybe it's wonderful.
The Steelers could have easily left enough personnel alone and kept Justin Fields, who has been at the helm, as the starter. But they're headed in an even better direction with Russell Wilson back healthy from a calf injury sustained during training camp.
With Fields' addition, the Steelers ranked 26th in total yards and 20th in points, averaging 20.7 points per game. He completed a career-high 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, and rushed for 231 yards and five TDs.
“Justin was really good and we were really good at times, but don't confuse that with great,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week. “Justin has been an asset to us.”
Tomlin said he believes Wilson has a higher ceiling for the Steelers.
So while the Steelers are looking for a ceiling Sunday, the Jets are looking for a savior.
It remains to be seen whether Adams, reunited with Rodgers, will be the savior. We'll know more on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL Owners' Fall Meetings in Atlanta this week, Johnson sounded very bullish about what the addition of Adams would mean for the team.
“We want to make a lot of changes this week,” Johnson said.
When asked if he thought this season could still be “salved,” Johnson said: We're going to kick… You can add words after that. We're going to do really well. ”
That's bold considering the continuing problems this season that have little to do with the receiving corps.
They are tied for seventh-most sacks allowed with 16, and arguably the 40-year-old Rodgers has taken a hit with some of the hits. Rodgers is tied for the third-most INTs in the league with five.
Will the addition of Adams improve those issues?
Playcaller Todd Downing said, “What a great guy. A professional's professional. His preparation was already noticeable. The way he carried himself and the way he worked was really great.” “Obviously, he's dynamic with the ball in his hands, so it's going to be fun to find ways to get him to play the football. And just his understanding of the game, his acumen, his soccer IQ, his zone. Knowing where he fits, knowing how to attack the defense, diagnosing coverage, I think all of those things are premium.”
Lazard, who also played with Rodgers in Green Bay, called Adams “absolutely the best receiver in the league, especially when paired with the best quarterback.”
“The bond, the chemistry between these two is instant. Having that ability obviously adds a new level to our offense and makes it more challenging.”
The challenge Sunday in Pittsburgh will be tough. Even if Woody's chip was pushed into the middle of the table.
