PITTSBURGH — Woody Johnson’s chips have now aggressively been shoved to the middle of the desk.
The final chip — perhaps the final probability at this factor earlier than the Jets brass is napalmed for the umpteenth time in Johnson’s 24-year tenure because the group’s proprietor — was the acquisition of star receiver Davante Adams this week prematurely of Sunday’s must-win recreation at Pittsburgh.
Johnson final week fired his head coach of three-plus years, Robert Saleh, anticipating the shake-up to supply a spark for his underachieving group.
He anticipated his group to play a greater, extra disciplined model of soccer below interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich — with fewer penalties, in addition to a extra environment friendly offense with embattled offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett having been demoted and tasked with overseeing the Penske information.
And that is what Johnson bought in Monday night time’s 23-20 residence loss to the Payments: a carbon copy of the performances the Jets delivered below Saleh’s watch as they went 2-3 within the first 5 video games.
The Jets dedicated 11 penalties for 110 yards, had been 1-of-4 within the crimson zone and missed two killer discipline objectives.
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They enter this recreation towards the 4-2 Steelers on a three-game dropping streak — developing brief by a mixed 10 factors.
Will Davante Adams, the most recent addition within the Jets effort to encompass quarterback Aaron Rodgers with all the pieces he needs, make up for these 10 factors shifting ahead?
“It’s a should win,’’ receiver Allen Lazard advised The Submit. “We’re 2-4 proper now, and I believe our expertise positively isn’t a mirrored image on our report. We’ve bought to place collectively 4 good quarters and do no matter it takes to come back out of there with a W.’’
This recreation includes a Jets group frantically making adjustments in an effort to maintain their season from sliding down a ravine, and the opposite, the 4-2 Steelers, making a major change at quarterback this week in an effort to go from good to higher, perhaps even nice.
The Steelers may simply have left good-enough alone and continued to begin Justin Fields, who has been on the helm to this point. However they’re reaching for higher with Russell Wilson, who has returned to well being from a calf damage suffered in coaching camp.
With Fields, the Steelers are ranked twenty sixth in complete yards and twentieth in scoring with a mean of 20.7 factors per recreation. He has accomplished a career-high 66.3 p.c of his passes for 1,106 yards with 5 touchdowns and only one interception, and he has rushed for 231 yards and 5 TDs.
“Justin has been actually good, and we’ve been actually good at occasions, however to not be confused with nice,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated this week. “Justin has been an asset to us.’’
Tomlin stated he believes the Steelers’ ceiling is greater with Wilson.
So, whereas the Steelers are looking for their ceiling on Sunday, the Jets are looking for a savior.
Whether or not Adams, reunited with Rodgers, is that savior stays to be seen. We’ll know extra Sunday.
Johnson, talking to reporters on the NFL homeowners’ fall assembly this week in Atlanta, sounded very bullish on what the addition of Adams will imply to his group.
“We need to deliver quite a lot of change this week,’’ Johnson stated.
When requested if he thinks this season remains to be “salvageable,’’ Johnson responded, “Salvageable? We’re gonna kick … you’ll be able to add the phrases after that. We’re going to do rather well.”
Daring, contemplating the litany of points they’ve had this season which have little to do with their receiving corps.
They’re tied for the seventh-most sacks allowed with 16, and make no mistake, the 40-year-old Rodgers has gotten hammered on some hits. Rodgers is tied for the third-most INTs within the league with 5.
Can the addition of Adams enhance these points?
“What a powerful man, a professional’s professional, his preparation has already been noticeable, the best way he carries himself and goes about his enterprise has simply been superior,’’ play-caller Todd Downing stated. “Clearly, he’s dynamic with the ball in his fingers, so discovering methods to get him the soccer goes to be enjoyable to do. And simply, I believe, his understanding of the sport, his savviness, his soccer IQ, realizing the place he suits in zones, realizing the best way to assault defenses, diagnosing coverages, I believe that’s all a premium.’’
Lazard, who additionally performed with Rodgers in Inexperienced Bay, known as Adams “one of the best receiver within the league, fingers down — particularly once you pair him with one of the best quarterback.’’
“The connection, the chemistry that these two have is on the spot. Having that potential clearly provides one other degree to our offense and makes it much more difficult.’’
The problem can be steep Sunday in Pittsburgh. Even with Woody’s chips pushed to the middle of the desk.
