Products You May Like
The New York Jets took their fourth defeat of the 2024 season on Monday Night Football with a 23 – 20 home loss against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets dug themselves an early 20 -10 hole, managed to tie the game up late, then fell at the end to a late field goal by the Bills. The Jets’ defense was terrible in the first half before righting the ship in the second half. The Jets offense was fairly effective, but couldn’t get out of its own way in the red zone, missing multiple field goals and failing to convert touchdown opportunities.
It was a costly loss. A win would have vaulted the Jets into first place in the AFC East. Instead, the loss plunged the Jets’ record two games under .500 at 2-4 and two games back of the Bills in the AFC East.
Now the Jets travel to the hostile territory of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they will take on a 4-2 Pittsburgh Steelers team that currently sits atop the AFC North standings. A loss would extend the Jets losing streak to four games and all but end the Jets’ fading playoff hopes.
The Steelers, much like the Jets, have been very good on defense and very bad on offense this season. They have held four out of six opponents to 13 points or less, but they have also scored 20 points or less in four out of six games. The Steelers have had difficulty passing the ball on offense, but they have committed to the run and rank 9th in the NFL in rushing yards. That could be a problem against a Jets defense that has had trouble stopping the run.
Let’s take a look at the current odds for this game according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The current line has the Jets a surprising road favorite by 1.5 points. That line is difficult to understand for a Jets team on a short week against a first place Steelers team in a venue that has been a graveyard for Jets hopes over the years. The Steelers have a 10-2 all time record against the Jets in Pittsburgh. The game has an over/under of 37.5 points. On the moneyline the Jets are -112 while the Steelers are -106.
If the Jets want to get back in the playoff race they need to find a way to win this game. It won’t be easy. The Steelers’ strengths match up well against the Jets’ weaknesses, and the Steelers are tough at home. We’ll soon see if the Jets are up to the task of bouncing back from a three game losing streak and getting back on a winning track.