Jets vs Steelers SNF Picks - October 20

Sunday Night Football in Week 7 of the NFL season pits the New York Jets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes, the Jets are getting prime billing yet again. It’s not like they deserve it given their 2-4 record, but at the same time they are borderline must-watch television simply for the current soap-opera aspect of their franchise. This marks the first chapter of Aaron Rodgers’ reunion with Davante Adams, and they are in for a tough test against the 4-2 Steelers. 

Kickoff in Pittsburgh is set for 8:20 pm ET on NBC. Let’s take a look at the best bets to be made. 

Predictions 

Pick #1: Pittsburgh Steelers +2 over New York Jets (-110) 

Pick #2: Over 38 (-110) 

Pick #3: Najee Harris (PIT) Over 49.5 rushing yards (-125) 

Picks #1: Steelers +2 over Jets (-110)

After falling to 2-3 with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh. Interim Jeff Ulbrich then stripped offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of his play-calling duties and gave them to Todd Downing. As if that wasn’t enough turnover, there was more change after New York dropped to 2-4 with a Monday Night Football setback against the Buffalo Bills. Adams, a longtime sidekick of Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, was acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders. In the long run that should be a very positive development, but it could take some time for the Jets’ offensive chemistry to form. It’s also worth noting that Adams has not played since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury. Things could be further complicated for Rodgers and company by the fact that they have to face a Pittsburgh defense that is eighth overall and second in scoring, allowing just 14.3 points per game. One can only assume that the 40-year-old quarterback will be under constant pressure from vaunted edge rusher TJ Watt. Regardless of who is under center for the Steelers (either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields), they should be able to cover and perhaps even win outright.  

Pick #2: Over 38 Total Points (-110)

The bottom line is that 38 isn’t a big number. Even two mediocre offenses should be able to surpass it. New York put up a respectable 20 points against Buffalo in Week 6 and would have scored a lot more if it hadn’t been for a 1-of-4 effort in the red zone. Also encouraging is the fact that the Jets finally found some success in the running game, churning out 121 yards on the ground. Now that the Steelers are forced to respect not one, but two receivers (Adams and Garrett Wilson), the Jets should see things open up for their ground attack to an even greater extent. As for the Steelers’ offense, conservative passing by either quarterback and a steady diet of handoffs to Najee Harris should be enough to score at least 20 on the Jets. 

Pick #3: Najee Harris (PIT) Over 49.5 rushing yards (-125) 

Harris is coming off his best game of the season, as he churned out 104 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries against Las Vegas. The Alabama product has gotten 96 carries through seven games and no other running back on Pittsburgh’s roster has rushed it more than 20 times. Given Harris’ performance last weekend, he should continue to benefit from a significant workload. He now faces a Jets defense that is awesome against the pass (No. 2 in passing defense and No. 4 in yards per pass attempt allowed) but has been mediocre against the run (124.2 yards per game, 4.3 yards per attempt). There is no reason why Harris can’t rack up at least 50 yards on Sunday.