The storylines change, often dramatically, for each NFL team from week to week.
After three weeks, the 2-1 Jets were looking to keep building momentum at home against Denver.
After four weeks, the 2-2 Jets were planning to rebound on the London stage against Minnesota.
After five weeks, the 2-3 Jets had the opportunity to end a two-game losing streak and climb into a first-place tie with a primetime win over the Bills back home.
Which brings us to the 2-4 Jets heading into a traditionally tough city and venue for them over the years, Pittsburgh and Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field), to get back on the winning track against the 4-2 Steelers.
And a major part of this week's Green & White storyline is the new teammate they have in elite WR Davante Adams to add to QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Garrett Wilson, RB Breece Hall and the offense against the Steelers' tough defense but possibly vulnerable pass coverage, even with T.J. Watt coming hard off Pitt's left edge.
"I never thought this was possible," Rodgers said of the trade with the Raiders that brought Adams, his former eight-year Green Bay teammate, from one high-rolling market, Las Vegas, to another, New York. "Having Tae here and then the ability to pair him with a budding superstar in Garrett, that's a pretty special combination."
The Jets and their fans could get a sense of how special, with Adams, coming off an early-season hamstring injury, cleared to play tonight. One stat line says it all: 615 completions, 7,517 yards and 68 touchdowns. That's how many times Rodgers and Adams have connected, all numbers the most of any A-Rod target — amazing production especially considering the two haven't been on the same team for the past two-plus seasons.
See the Jets arriving to the stadium in Pittsburgh before the Week 7 matchup against the Steelers.
Also available for a second week is MLB, captain and defensive stalwart C.J. Mosley, who returned from his toe injury with limited action (9 defensive snaps) in the loss to Buffalo. Perhaps he will get to dip more than his toe into the rapids near the confluence of Pittsburgh's three rivers.
However, CB D.J. Reed, affected by a groin injury vs. the Bills and not practicing all the past week, was listed as questionable and is listed tonight as inactive for the Steelers. Nickel corner Michael Carter (back) missed most of Minnesota and has been deactivated for the second game.
CB Sauce Gardner, safeties Tony Adams and Ashtyn Davis (in the starting lineup for the IR'd Chuck Clark), Brandin Echols, Isaiah Oliver and the rest of the secondary also are likely to see a new Pittsburgh QB that they are familiar with from last year's meeting in Denver. Russell Wilson, inactive as a Steeler so far due to a calf injury, is reported to be ready to start against the Jets. QB Justin Fields, who played all but two offensive snaps in the Steelers' 4-2 start, is expected to perform some role in the offense.
These are the Jets' seven inactives for tonight in the Steel City:
- CB D.J. Reed
- WR Malachi Corley
- RB Izzy Abanikanda
- CB Michael Carter
- T Max Mitchell
- T Carter Warren
- DL Braiden McGregor
And the Steelers' seven inactives, which includes rookie starting C Zach Frazier (ankle), with felllow rookie Ryan McCollum stepping into the middle of the OL for Frazier:
- QB Kyle Allen
- WR Roman Wilson
- S Damontae Kazee
- RB Aaron Shampklin
- LB Nick Herbig
- C Zach Frazier
- RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson
