It took Adam Gase's team almost an entire season but they finally beat a team with a winning record. The Gang Green upset the Steelers, 16-10, completely shutting them out in the second half and limiting their offense to only 260 total yards.
Run the ball, don't commit turnovers and let the defense have their way with Pittsburgh's rookie quarterbacks were the keys to getting this win. That's pretty much what the Jets did. RB Le'Veon Bell carried the ball 25 times (season high). The defense picked off two passes and registered 4 sacks. The Jets did commit one turnover that ultimately led to Pittsburgh's only touchdown of the game.
Adam Gase's Jets went back to their early scoring ways, as they marched down the field on the opening possession. QB Sam Darnold threw a perfect pass to WR Robby Anderson, giving the Gang Green a 7-0 lead. PK Sam Ficken extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter when he converted a 54-yard attempt, the longest of his career.
The Jets were in total control until the last two minutes of the second quarter. First, Pittsburgh cut the lead to 10-3. Then, Darnold fumbled, giving the ball back to the Steelers on the Jets' 41-yard line. In just four plays the Steelers tied the game, 10-10. It started to look like another Same Old Jets game, except this time it was going to have a different ending...
The Jets' defense completely dominated in the second half. They forced Pittsburgh to punt on five of their six possessions. The only possession that did not end with a punt was a turnover on downs. S Marcus Maye arguably played the finest game in his NFL career. He saved a potential touchdown in the second quarter when he picked off a deep pass in the Jets' end zone. Then, on the last Pittsburgh's drive, he broke up a pass on a 3rd and 7. One play later the Steelers turned it over on downs and the game was over.
The offense did not do much in the second half and they really didn't have to. They did just enough for Ficken to score two more field goals, which turned out to be all the Jets needed to get their sixth win of the season.
Overall, the Jets did play better. It's yet another season without a playoff berth but if the last few games are any indicator of the things to come, then the team can definitely take a step up next year.