The Steelers are hosting the Jets for an NFL preseason matchup Friday night. On DraftKings Sportsbook, New York is favored by 1.5 points and this game carries a total of 36.5 points.
Let’s get into my pick and prediction for this contest.
Steelers vs. Jets Preview
The Steelers and Jets have each played one preseason game so far. The Steelers blew out the Packers, 28-9, and the Jets lost in a close contest to the Buccaneers, 24-16. Aaron Rodgers missed that matchup for Pittsburgh and he unsurprisingly won’t play vs. the Jets.
Primary backup Mason Rudolph will also sit after he drew the start in the win over Green Bay. Will Howard will start and Drew Allar will see work after him, per Steelers HC Mike McCarthy.
Both Howard and Allar saw action in the rout over the Packers. Howard completed 7-of-9 passes for 86 yards while Allar made way more noise, completing 10-of-13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Allar showed off his skills on the ground, rushing for a touchdown.
Allar was a third-round pick out of Penn State this year, whereas Howard was a sixth-round pick out of Ohio State last year, but he didn’t play a snap for the Steelers last season. Howard won the national title with the Buckeyes in 2025 and he threw for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns that season. Allar only played in six games in his final season with Penn State due to a broken ankle, but he was great his previous two seasons, producing 49 touchdowns as a passer and 10 touchdowns as a rusher.
Both Howard and Allar have solid potential and they should take their series very seriously vs. the Jets, as performing better in this tilt will go a long way in deciding who gets the No. 3 quarterback job for the Steelers.
The Jets were also without their starting quarterback in the preseason opener, as Geno Smith was out with a sore ankle. With the veteran inactive, it was Brady Cook, Bailey Zappe and Cade Klubnik at quarterback for New York, but all three struggled to produce with no touchdowns between the three of them.
Zappe was the worst of the group, throwing two picks. While Smith was out, most of the Jets’ starters saw some reps, including Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Braelon Allen and Mason Taylor.
Smith is back at practice this week, but it is unclear if he will suit up vs. the Steelers. Given this is a whole new system for Smith under Aaron Glenn and that many of the Jets’ starters suited up last week, Smith playing in this game feels likely. The quarterback playing a few series with most of the starters could translate into positive results in this preseason setting, but Smith was terrible with the Raiders last season, so nothing is guaranteed.
Smith ranked second-to-last in QBR and he threw 19 touchdowns to 17 picks while leading Las Vegas to a 2-13 record in his starts.
Steelers vs. Jets best bet
Allar’s preseason debut was impressive and he should continue to thrive vs. the Jets. Howard should also step up, as the pressure is certainly on him now after Allar outplayed him last week. These Steelers quarterbacks should put up some points as they duel for the No. 3 job in this offense while the Jets could be a mess at the position again, even if Smith plays some series.
Pittsburgh not being the favorite on its home field is surprising and backing the Steelers to win this game on the moneyline is an easy call.
