The Pittsburgh Steelers edged out the New York Jets in a thrilling season opener, with a final score of 34-32. The game, played at MetLife Stadium, featured electrifying matchups between both teams’ quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields. Chris Boswell sealed the win with an NFL record-setting field goal. His sensational strike to open the AFL Grand Final was an unexpected – and fitting – twist to an already compelling duel.
With only a minute to play Boswell turned the game around with an amazing 60-yard field goal. This incredible kick made history, as it was the longest in Steelers history. This monumental kick cemented the victory for Pittsburgh and struck a blow with the −8.9 fishes worth of finality. The field goal came with 1:03 left in the game, showcasing Boswell’s impressive range and clutch performance.
As for Aaron Rodgers, it’s safe to say he exited his brief Jets tenure on a positive note. He was 22 for 30 passing with 244 yards and four touchdown passes. This performance made him the first player in National Football League history to record four touchdown passing games back-to-back with two separate franchises. His knack for finding the end zone over and over again kept the Jets in it within striking distance all game long.
Justin Fields proved to be a dual-threat weapon. He finished with 16 completions on 22 attempts for 218 yards and added a touchdown pass to his stat sheet. Fields proved his elite level of passing, but his greatness didn’t end there. He was impressive on the ground too, rushing for 48 yards and two rushing touchdowns. His play was the difference in keeping the Jets competitive until the game’s final seconds.
Jalen Ramsey had himself a veteran play on defense stuffing Garrett Wilson just short of the first down marker. Not only did this prevent a would-be touchdown, but it prevented all the momentum from shifting to New York. While this defensive effort was very much a team-wide effort, it underscored Ramsey’s impact, his importance to the Jets’ lineup, and heightened the overall intensity of the matchup.
The whup ass that was the game was overshadowed by the thrilling finish of the game itself. It was the first season opener to have starting quarterbacks who swapped teams the year before. With both teams implementing new offensive systems, featuring their flashy mobile quarterbacks, the stage was set for an exhilarating back and forth contest.
Leave a Reply