Jets vs Steeles big Matchups; Myers Goes From Backup to key

When the Jets kick off their 2025 season this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’ll be doing so without right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.  Vera-Tucker suffered a torn triceps in practice yesterday and could end up missing the season.

With Vera-Tucker out, this changes the makeup of the Jets offensive line and vaults backup center Josh Myers from backup, to a player who should be viewed as critical to Gang Green’s success. Here’s a look at Myers and a few other key players we expect to suit up on Sunday.

C Josh Myers vs NT/DT Keeanu Benton:

Benton is a powerful, explosive defender up front who will line up directly over the center and plug the a-gaps.  Instead of drawing Tippmann, he’ll face Josh Myers, who ranked 34th out of 35 centers in run blocking last season according to PFF.  Among centers with at least 400 snaps played, Myers earned a run block grade of 52.2  Only Andre James of the Raiders was worse at 50.2.

For a team that plans on running the ball at what some expect to be the highest clip on the NFL, this is not great news.  Can Jets O-line coach Steve Heiden get better production out of Myers?  We’ll find out this Sunday.

QB Justin Fields vs ILB Payton Wilson:

This one was already a key matchup before the Vera-Tucker injury, but looms much larger now.  With the Jets likely to lean heavily on Fields’ legs, the Steelers will likely counter with a spy on defense.  Expect Wilson, who runs in the 4.4’s, to draw that assignment.  Patrick Queen could also get the nod at times and is no slouch himself in terms of speed.

CB Sauce Gardner vs DK Metcalf:

Gardner spent much of last season drawing the ire of Jets fans after allowing a touchdown and drawing four pass interference calls.  Many demanded he be dealt for draft picks, but now he’s got a brand new contract and draws Metcalf in week 1.

The two squared off last season with Metcalf finishing the game with 1 catch for 28 yards on four targets when lined up against the Jets All-Pro corner.

RT Armand Membou vs Edge TJ Watt:

Welcome to the NFL, Armand.

The Jets rookie draws elite edge rusher JT Watt in his first ever NFL contest.  If the Jets keep this one close then it’ll help Membou out as Gang Green figures to run it for much of the day.  But if the Jets need a big throw from Fields late in the game, Membou keeping Watt away from the QB becomes essential, and this can quickly become the most important matchup of the day.

Edge Will McDonald vs OT Broderick Jones:

It may represent the last time Bill Belichick was widely regarded as a football genius.

In the 2023 NFL draft, Belichick and the Patriots were one pick ahead of the Jets before they moved down with the Steelers to allow Pittsburgh to leapfrog Gang Green to select Jones.  The Jets then went with McDonald and the talking heads had a blast.  The Jets were “outsmarted, outclassed and beaten by Belichick once again”.

Fast forward two years and McDonald posted his first ever double-digit sack season while Jones allowed double-digit sacks.  According to PFF, Jones let defenders get to his QB ten times while turning in a paltry pass block grade of 54.6.

Now, likely looking to quite the critics even further, McDonald gets his first crack at the guy the Jets “really wanted” before they had to “settle” for him.

CB Brandon Stephens vs WR Calvin Austin III:

If Gardner can manage to keep Metcalf under wraps, look for Aaron Rodgers to call Austin’s number on a regular basis until Stephens shows his preseason performance was no fluke.  Having surrendered over 800 receiving yards with the Ravens last season, teams will challenge him until he gives them a reason not to.

Prediction:

Steelers 17
Jets 10

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